Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability (2015) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Summary
Summary
Pages 1-18
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
These disciplines are generally housed in departments focused on conventional animal sciences, animal husbandry, food sciences, dairy husbandry, poultry husbandry, veterinary science, veterinary medicine, and agricultural economics. As defined by the 1996 World Food Summit, food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
|
From page 2... ...
Even in a stable world, the animal agricultural research enterprise would be significantly challenged to help rectify the current unequal distribution of animal food and to address the need to integrate social science research to better understand and respond to changing consumer preferences. Further, there is a high likelihood of a major threat to animal agriculture that no one currently predicts and for which a vibrant animal research enterprise will be central to an effective response to ensure global food security.
|
From page 3... ...
Animal agriculture and animal protein production will substantially increase to meet demand from global population growth, but must do so in the context of sustainability. THE COMMITTEE'S TASK Recognizing the gap between the animal agricultural research enterprise and the challenges related to global food security, an ad hoc committee of experts was convened to prepare a report to identify critical areas of research and development (R&D)
|
From page 4... ...
This approach constrained deliberations to those areas clearly within the boundaries of the task. The report points to many directions that can be expanded upon and advanced in future deliberations on the subject of animal agricultural research needs.
|
From page 5... ...
The July meeting was a week-long intensive session, which included extensive reviews of relevant literature, deliberation, and drafting of report text; the September meeting was a closed writing session. During the March meeting, the committee heard from each of the study sponsors, including the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Innovation Center for U.S.
|
From page 6... ...
The committee does note that as long as animal protein continues to be consumed, there is value to R&D that improves the efficiency of its production. Finally, in considering the charge to discuss global issues in animal agriculture, the committee noted that there is marked variability among and within different countries in their animal agricultural practices and needs.
|
From page 7... ...
These challenges include, but are not limited to, growing demand for animal products by an increasingly affluent, global population approaching 10 billion people; the globalization of food systems that cross continents with consequences for individual countries and regional concerns about food security; the intensification of production systems in the context of societal and environmental impacts; the development and maintenance of sustainable animal production systems in the face of global environmental change; and the multiple decadal stagnation in research funding for animal production. As described throughout this report, a new roadmap for animal science research is required.
|
From page 8... ...
Overarching Recommendations Two central issues have guided National Research Council and other reports regarding the setting of research agendas for animal agriculture in recent years: productivity and sustainability. The committee built on these reports and emphasized the importance of research to sustainably and efficiently increase animal agricultural productivity.
|
From page 9... ...
. • For research in sustainable intensification of animal agriculture to meet the challenge of future animal protein needs, it is necessary to effectively close the existing broad communication gap between the public, researchers, and the food industries.
|
From page 10... ...
These recommendations and priorities include planning for research in the United States and in developing countries and reconsideration of education and training in animal agriculture in the United States, particularly at the university level. These strategic planning activities should be guided by the need for systems approaches that integrate the many scientific disciplines and governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders involved in achieving the goal of food security based on sustainable animal agriculture.
|
From page 11... ...
Despite documenting the clear economic and scientific value of animal science research in the United States, funding to support the infrastructure and capacity is evidently insufficient to meet the needs for animal food; U.S.-based research will be needed to address sustainability issues and to help developing countries sustainably increase their own animal protein production and/or needs. Additionally, animal science research and practices in the United States are often adopted, to the extent possible, within developing countries.
|
From page 12... ...
reducing the financial cost per unit of animal protein produced, and (3) enhancing societal determinants of sustainable global animal agriculture acceptability -- should be used to guide funding decisions about animal agricultural research and technological development to increase production efficiency (Section 3-2 in Chapter 3)
|
From page 13... ...
Alternative feed ingredients are important in completely or partially replacing high-value and unsustainable ingredients, particularly fish meal and fish oil, or ingredients that may otherwise compete directly with human consumption. RECOMMENDATION 3-6.1: Research should continue to identify alternative feed ingredients that are inedible to humans and will notably reduce the cost of animal protein production while improving the environmental footprint.
|
From page 14... ...
. Climate Change Although there is uncertainty regarding the degree and geographical variability, climate change will nonetheless impact animal agriculture in diverse ways, from affecting feed quality and quantity to causing environmental stress in agricultural animals.
|
From page 15... ...
. Socioeconomic Considerations Although socioeconomic research is critical to the successful adoption of new technologies in animal agriculture, insufficient attention has been directed to such research.
|
From page 16... ...
The committee also identified several recommendations directed toward global animal agriculture. Infrastructural Issues The committee notes that per capita consumption of animal protein will be increasing more quickly in developing countries than in developed countries through 2050.
|
From page 17... ...
A key barrier to technological adoption is the lack of extension to smallholder farmers about how to utilize the novel technologies for sustainable and improved production as well as to articulate smallholder concerns and needs to the research community. Research objectives to meet the challenge of global food security and sustainability should focus on the transfer of existing knowledge and technology (adoption and, importantly, adaptation where needed)
|
From page 18... ...
. As discussed above, in addition to the recommendations presented in this summary, the committee identified complementary priorities for research, research support, and infrastructure which specifically address the contents of and can be found in chapters 3-5.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.