World food and nutrition study : the potential contributions of research

SUCH IS THE CONCLUSION OF AN ASSESSMENT CARRIED OUT BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (NAS) OF THE WORLD FOOD PICTURE AS IT WAS PRESENTED AT THE WORLD FOOD CONFERENCE IN ROME IN 1974. THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE NAS ANALYSIS OF THE WORLD FOOD AND NUTRITION SITUATION IN TERMS OF ITS CRITICAL INTERACTING PARTS WHICH INCLUDES: ADEQUACY OF FOOD SUPPLIES, POVERTY, THE STABILITY OF SUPPLIES AND PRICES, GOVERNMENT POLICIES, AND POPULATION GROWTH. THE STUDY POINTS OUT THE ROLE ACCELERATED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAN PLAY IN RESOLVING THESE PROBLEMS, AND, BASED UPON STUDIES MADE BY 12 TEAMS OF EXPERTS, IT DESCRIBES A CAREFULLY EVALUATED LISTING OF THE PROMISING AREAS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE MECHANISMS OF GETTING THIS WORK DONE; THE REPORT EMPHASIZES THAT WHILE MUCH OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAN BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE U.S., A LARGE PART OF IT MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE MECHANISMS WHEREBY AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS MIGHT HELP DEVELOPING COUNTRIES EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN THEIR OWN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITIES. THE GOALS ARE TO INCREASE FOOD AVAILABILITY AND TO MINIMIZE THE THREATS OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION.