Zero Hidden Hunger: Role of Vegetables

Abstract

According to the latest UN projections, world population
will rise to 9.1 billion in 2050. Almost all this population
growth will occur in the developing countries. Global demand
for food, feed and fibre will nearly double. Crops may also
be used for bioenergy and other industrial purposes. New
and traditional demands for agricultural produces will put
great pressure on already available agricultural resources.
Agriculture will be forced to compete for land and water
with sprawling urban settlements. Mitigation of climate
change is another challenge for agriculture. They will need
new technologies to grow more from less land, with a fewer
resources. As per FAO, there is little scope for further
expansionof agricultural land. Considerableamount of land
potentially suitable for agriculture is covered by forestsor
protected for environmentalreasons or used for urban
settlements. The optimal use of land and water is the basis
for intensive agriculture. Today, the world average per capita
crop land has decreased to around 0.27 hectares. The
demand for food is expected to grow as a result of population
growth and rising incomes. Demand for cereals (for food
and animal feed) is projected to reach some 3 billion tones
by 2050. Annual cereal production will have to grow by
almost one billion tones. Here comes the role of horticulture
especially vegetables. Vegetables have tremendous potential
in terms of natural resources. Further, their productivity is
very high in vegetables when compared to cereals. In
developing countries, the effort to ensure food security with
staple food crops has neglected the need for nutritional
security. Even though starchy staples provide calories and
some protein, the important role of other dietary components
vital for health largely available through consumption of
vegetables and fruits are often ignored. World Health
Organisation (WHO) has introduced a food based dietary
guideline as a resource for achieving good health by public
and as a resource for countries for developing their ownguide
lines. Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables
is included in the guidelines of most countries