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Plant Breeding and Agricultural Development

In: Genetically Modified Crops and Agricultural Development

Author

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  • Matin Qaim

Abstract

Striving for sufficient food has always been at the heart of human existence. This chapter explores how humankind has evolved from scavenging to hunting and gathering and finally to producing food in a systematic manner. Plants have been at the center of this process as they, directly and indirectly, provide virtually all of our food. While initially almost all humans were inevitably involved in the sourcing of food, the start of agriculture made it possible for people to pursue other occupations, marking the beginning of civilization. Given the subsequent explosion of the world population, it has always been the prime objective of agriculture to increase the supply of food. I outline the fundamental advances in agricultural technology that have made sufficient food production growth possible in the past, also discussing related economic, social, and environmental implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Matin Qaim, 2016. "Plant Breeding and Agricultural Development," Palgrave Studies in Agricultural Economics and Food Policy, in: Genetically Modified Crops and Agricultural Development, chapter 0, pages 15-38, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:psachp:978-1-137-40572-2_2
    DOI: 10.1057/9781137405722_2
    as

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