Co-benefits of Agricultural Diversification and Technology for Food and Nutrition Security in China

Thomas Cherico Wanger, Estelle Raveloaritiana, Siyan Zeng, Haixiu Gao, Xueqing He, Yiwen Shao, Panlong Wu, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Wenwu Zhou, Yi Zou, Zengrong Zhu, Ling Li, Haiyan Cen, Yunhui Liu and Shenggen Fan

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Abstract: China is the leading crop producer and has successfully implemented sustainable development programs related to agriculture. Sustainable agriculture has been promoted to achieve national food security targets such as food self-sufficiency through the well-facilitated farmland construction (WFFC) approach. The WFFC is introduced in Chinas current national 10-year plan to consolidate farmlands into large and simplified production areas to maximise automation, and improve soil fertility and productivity. However, research suggests that diversified and smaller farms faciliate ecosystem services, can improve yield resilience, defuse human health threats, and increase farm profitability. Currently, WFFC has not considered ecological farmland improvements and it may miss long-term environmental benefits including ecosystem service preservation conducive to yields. Moreover, the nutritional status in China has changed in recent decades with undernutrition being dramatically reduced, but the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic diseases being increased. While a strategic choice and management of crop and livestock species can improve nutrition, the environmental and production benefits of agricultural diversification are currently not well interlinked with Chinas food and nutrition security discussions. Lastly, the role of agricultural technology for socioeconomic benefits and the link with diversified agricultural production may provide vast benefits for food security. Here, we focus on the opportunities and co-benefits of agricultural diversification and technology innovations to advance food and nutrition security in China through ecosystem service and yield benefits. Our applied five-point research agenda can provide evidence-based opportunities to support China in reaching its ambitious food security targets through agricultural diversification with global ramifications.

Date: 2024-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr, nep-cna and nep-env
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