Module 8.1 Feeding the World: Banking on Seeds

What is food security?

Having reliable access to enough safe and nutritious food

Why do people still go hungry even though enough food is produced globally?

Because of poverty, unequal distribution, conflict, and environmental issues

What is a food desert?

An area where people have little or no access to affordable, healthy food

What is the difference between food loss and food waste?

Food loss happens before food reaches stores, while food waste occurs when edible food is thrown away

What is malnutrition?

Poor health caused by too little or too much food or missing nutrients

What is undernutrition?

Not getting enough calories or nutrients to meet the body’s needs

What is overnutrition?

Consuming too many calories or unhealthy nutrients like fats and sugars

What is “hidden hunger”?

Getting enough calories but lacking essential nutrients

What was the Green Revolution?

A movement that increased crop production using high-yield crops, fertilizers, and pesticides

What was a major benefit of the Green Revolution?

It greatly increased global food production

What is industrial agriculture?

Large-scale farming that uses machines, chemicals, and technology to maximize production

What is monoculture?

Growing only one type of crop over a large area

Why is monoculture risky?

It reduces genetic diversity and makes crops more vulnerable to pests and disease

What is genetic diversity?

The variety of genes within a species

Why is genetic diversity important in agriculture?

It helps crops survive diseases, pests, and environmental changes

What is a seed bank?

A facility that stores seeds to preserve plant diversity for the future

What are some negative effects of industrial agriculture?

Soil degradation, water pollution, pesticide resistance, and loss of biodiversity

What is a fertilizer?

A substance added to soil to provide nutrients and improve plant growth

What is a downside of using synthetic fertilizers?

They can pollute water and require a lot of energy to produce

What is a pesticide?

A chemical used to kill or control pests

What is pesticide resistance?

When pests evolve and are no longer affected by a pesticide

What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?

An organism whose DNA has been altered to give it desired traits

What is a transgenic organism?

An organism that contains genes from a different species

What is a benefit of GMOs?

They can increase crop yields and resistance to pests

What are concerns about GMOs?

Environmental risks, increased chemical use, and corporate control of seeds

What is food self-sufficiency?

A country’s ability to produce enough food for its population

What is food sovereignty?

A country’s control over how its food is produced and distributed

What is a cash crop?

A crop grown mainly for sale rather than local consumption