Sustainable development has been aptly defined as that which ‘meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (United Nations General Assembly, 1987). In no aspect are our present and future needs more evident than in the production of food. During the 20th century, unprecedented advances in agricultural production tripled yields of wheat, rice and maize and made it possible to save millions from hunger. Industrialization boosted farming efficiency and the Green Revolution introduced new varieties, pest and weed control, irrigation and fertilizer application methods that helped many parts of the world to achieve self-sufficiency in food.
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