Food system actor perspectives on future-proofing European food systems through plant breeding.

Crop improvement is a key innovation area in the pursuit of sustainable food systems. However, realising its potential requires integration of the needs and priorities of all agri-food chain stakeholders. In this study, we provide a multi-stakeholder perspective on the role of crop improvement in future-proofing the European food system. We engaged agri-business, farm- and consumer-level stakeholders, and plant scientists through an online survey and focus groups. Four of each group's top five priorities were shared and related to environmental sustainability goals (water, nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, and heat stress). Consensus was identified on issues including considering existing alternatives to plant breeding (e.g. management strategies), minimising trade-offs, and addressing geographical variation in needs. We conducted a rapid evidence synthesis on the impacts of priority crop improvement options, highlighting the urgent need for further research examining downstream sustainability impacts to identify concrete targets for plant breeding innovation as a food systems solution.

[Overpopulation in rural China: the case of the people's commune of Wantou]. / Le surpeuplement des campagnes Chinoises: 1'exemple de la commune populaire de Wantou.

PIP: The article describes a visit to the agricultural commune of Wantou, China. The visit, organized by the Chinese government, had the purpose of showing to foreign visitors how the Chinese agricultural policy overcame the problem of overpopulation in the countryside. In 1948 Wantou had 16,000 inhabitants; today there are 25,600 people, living on a surface of 1200 hectares, i.e. a population density of 2133 people/square km. All adult inhabitants are engaged in the cultivation of wheat, barley, rice, millet. The quantity of cereals harvested in 1976 was 8 times larger than that of 1949, even with minimal mechanization of work. Industrial activity of the commune are the manufacture of agricultural tools to be used in the commune, and the production of plastic kitchen implements. The number of school age children is enormously augmented; there are 12 elementary schools, and 11 secondary schools, 1 hospital, and 1 sanitary station for every workers' team. In 1974 the average income of a worker was 130 yuan, while in 1976 it was 300 yuan. It must be noted, however, that this is not a typical Chinese commune; in Wantou 100% of the workable surface is irrigated, compared to only 40% in other provinces; that 190 kg. of azote/hectare are used, compared to 40 kg./hectare in the rest of the country, and that the commune yields 140.5 q./hectare of crop, which is 275 times higher than the objectives of the National Program for Agricultural Development. Finally, the income of Wantou members is about 35% higher than that of members of poorer communes.^ieng

[The migrant population and types of mobility in Burundi]. / Population migrante et types de mobilite au Burundi

PIP: An analysis of recent migration trends in Burundi is presented using data taken primarily from a 1970-1971 survey and the 1979 census. The migratory balance among the various regions of the country is shown, and an attempt is made to define the different migration flows revealed. Consideration is given to agricultural migration, labor migration, and rural-urban migration. (summary in ENG)^ieng