By Dr E. N. Nwachukwu.

Unfortunately, the gain of intensive agriculture is fast being eroded by ethical and environmental problems created in its production process.

Prominent among these problems are the use of agro-chemicals and genetically modified(GM) plant and animal stocks. It is obvious, we  need sufficient food worldwide, however food must be produced in a safe and sustainable manner- This view has been expressed strongly and presently alternative methods of mass food production for the teeming world population without compromising human health and environmental safety is being advocated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) which are both outstanding organs of the United Nations (UN) concerned with the state of world food and human health, respectively.

As the world population growth rate gallops annually, the food security issue for nations seems to deepen. The quest to produce food for every region of the world is assuming a feverish dimension. Climate change however, appears the most formidable factor impinging on agricultural production. The situation is such that nations and regions that had been self- sufficient in food production now face strong environmental challenges and attendant huge financial involvements in food production. Food security concerns and need for increased bio-fuel supply among the highly industrialized nations has led to serious scramble for land outside their shores. This 'land grab' contest by the Group of Eight (G8) nations has left Africa, Asia and Latin America becoming victims of the new phenomenon.

It is only hoped that the advocacy energy of the International Food Policy Research Institute (1FPR1) in Washington DC, that is calling for code of conduct in land grabs by G8 countries and their companies will stem the tide.

It is believed that global prosperity, peace and harmony can only thrive if food is produced by nations and their people in their own land and in the way they like it. This is the concept of food sovereignty' It is quite different from food security which implies availability or access to food not minding who produced it, where and how it was produced. The food sovereignty idea ensures that every member of the global family freely contributes its own quota to the global food supply network without being enmeshed in the agro-bio-business complex   presently networked by moguls in the G8 bloc. What the situation calls for is a free market or fair trade where global business in agricultural food commodities will exchange at equal rates once standards in production are met. Only openness, fairness and a free market environment will promote competitiveness with all people and actors striving to meet with local and international market demands.

Globalization in agricultural production is possible just like in world soccer today where under a level playing ground, all the nations of the world gather to showcase their skills and prowess in the game. Whoever meets the requirements is allowed to play the game, win and go home with the trophy.

Conclusion.

"Agriculture has traditionally been a uniting force in the world. No nation goes to war with her neighbour who exchanges food commodities with her. Global food production should be free, competitive and never to be left in the hands of whoever feels he can give us enough. Food indeed, should not be used as a weapon to support or score cheap political, social or economic points. This is a free world! Food at the most should play the role of uniting, strengthening and indeed sustaining humanity.