addressed was the complex links between energy and agricultural productivity. However, due to unforeseen circumstances the speaker for this session was unable to attend the workshop. In addition, most participants focused on the production of the three dominant staple crops rather than a broader range of food crops. Hopefully, the energy-agriculture nexus as well as other important topics that are not included can be examined in other workshops or future meetings.

CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR WORKSHOP 2¹

Per Pinstrup-Andersen opened the meeting by asking a set of questions:

• Can the world feed future generations?
• Can it do so sustainably?
• At what food price?
• At what price volatility?
• Will everybody have access?
• What action is needed?
• Action by whom?

Pinstrup-Andersen answered the first two questions by saying that the world can feed future generations and—with appropriate action—can do it sustainably. This meeting will focus on sustainable food supplies, which is just one part of the food security equation (Figure II I-1). He noted that adequate food supplies are necessary but not sufficient for assuring food security for all. Who will have access to food depends on many factors including prices and incomes. Furthermore, household behavior, intra-household decision making processes and gender-specific time allocation are important components of the access issue that will not be considered in this supply-focused workshop. In addition, there are several non-food factors that influence food security, such as health, access to clean drinking water and good sanitation.

____________

¹ The presentation is available at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/sustainability/foodsecurity/PGA_062564, presentation by Pinstrup-Andersen (May 2, 2011).