A alimentação da população e a manutenção do potencial produtivo dos recursos naturais

Abstract

This work analysis the most important determinants of supply and demand for food. On the supply side, special attention is given to the quantity and quality of resources available on earth, the technological progress, the governmental priorities and price policies. On the demand side, the rate of population grow, the purchasing power of consumers and the equity of income distribution are the factors considered. We provide arguments trying to prove that, although the high rates of population growth, the resources available on earth can produce food to feed the all the population. The reason why there are many people that still suffer from hunger is not because of shortage of food production but for lack of income to purchase it. The paper ends up pointing out some measures that are import to put in practice if we want to feed the actual generation without compromising the production capacity of natural resources for future generations.