The region is not exempt from the adverse effects of the changing climate patterns that disrupt food security and farmers are in dire need of new varieties of planting materials and even newer breeds animals that are better adapted to climate change. In recent years, aquaculture is gaining prominence in addressing the challenge of food security In addition, scientists are turning to biotechnology for a solution, from molecular breeding to gene editing, where cities are considering urban farming to reduce the carbon footprint and ensure fresh produce.
Frontier technologies are key drivers of agriculture. From the Green Revolution in the 1950s to the current Gene Revolution, precision agriculture, blockchain technology, Internet of Things and Industrial Revolution 4.0 represent disruptive changes that transform agriculture and the lifestyle of the agrarian community. If fully tapped these technologies have the potential to optimise the use of resources, among others, land, labour, fertilisers, pesticides, and water, leading to sustainable practices in the Tropics.
A myriad of other issues that are important to highlight include the changing demographics of the agrarian population, adoption of monoculture, and deforestation. The impact of an ageing farming population and farmers’ migration to urban areas, a rising phenomenon in the Tropics is being felt. How do we conserve the large numbers of terrestrial plants and animals whose habitat is the forest while sustainably practising monoculture and meeting the demand for forest products in poor countries in the Tropics?