The Ohio State University

A global overview, supply and demand issues on food supply

"Food price inflation is due to a combination of factors: We are producing more food than ever, so there is no shortage of supply. There is more demand due to: a move to generate more biofuels, increasing demand for food in China and S.E. Asia, where people want more meat, and a drought in Australia affecting grain prices.
“The answer may lie in technology – foods that aredrought resistant or can grow in salt water.”

Ian Sheldon, Andersons Professor of International Trade
Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
614-292-2194
sheldon.1@osu.edu
http://aede.osu.edu/people/display2.php?user=sheldon.1

Ethanol production, grain economics

“ Low grain supply is not the cause of the food priceincreases. Factors include rise in biofuel production which pulls land out offood production, and a drought in Australia.”

Matt Roberts, Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
614-688-8686
roberts.628@osu.edu
http://aede.osu.edu/people/display2.php?user=Roberts.628

 

Soil science, sustainable management of soil and natural resources

“We need to feed the stomach before we need to feed our cars. We have 1 billion people who are food insecure. We can't afford the luxury of not taking care of them and taking care of gasoline.”
“The world may be on the verge of a second Green Revolution.” (The Green Revolution of agriculture led to dramatic increases inagricultural production ofgrains in many developing nations inthe1960’s)

Rattan Lal, Environment and Natural Resources
614-292-9069
lal.1@osu.edu
http://snr.osu.edu/fac_staff/cv/lal.html
(assistant is Kate Elder, 614-292-9049)
Recent story: Solution to Global Food Crisis is Managing Natural Resources

 

Global population, food and environment

“A number of factors have come together to create a ‘perfect storm’ that is increasing food prices. The situation is not likely to resolve quickly.”

Fred Hitzhusen, Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics.
Hitzhusen is currently teaching a course on Global Population, Food and Environment.
614-292-6244
hitzhusen.1@osu.edu
http://aede.osu.edu/people/display2.php?user=hitzhusen.1

 

Farm policy, agricultural economics

“ There’s too much emphasis on biofuels as the chief culprit in this situation. Demand for agricultural products around the world has increased, and we have not invested for some time in research to improve agricultural production. There’s also a growing demand for conservation and pulling land out of production.
“It’s a very complex picture. Consumers have to make a choice between their desire for conservation and the use of available technology.”

Carl Zulauf, Francis B. McCormick Professor of Agricultural Marketing and Policy
Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics
614-292-6285
zulauf.1@osu.edu
http://aede.osu.edu/people/display2.php?user=zulauf.1

Economic impact

Food Insecurity – The risk of hunger in Ohio and Latin America

Hugo Melgar-Quinonez, Human Nutrition
614-292-0042
hmelgar-quinonez@ehe.osu.edu
http://ehe.osu.edu/facstaff/hn.php?name=Hugo%20Melgar-Quinonez

 

Tips for coping with higher food prices/reducing your grocery bill
Joyce McDowell, Human Nutrition
(614) 292-1655
JMcDowell@ehe.osu.edu
http://ehe.osu.edu/facstaff/hn.php?name=Joyce%20McDowell
Recent story: High Food Costs May Impact Nutrition of Low-Income Ohioans

For more information, contact The Ohio State University Media Relations staff:
Shelly Hoffman, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations
(614) 247-4748
Jim Lynch, Director of Media Relations
(614) 247-4110
Amy Murray, Assistant Director
(614) 292-8385
Liz Cook, Assistant Director
(614) 292-7276

 

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