United Nations Radio

More than 400 scientists are stressing the need to change agricultural practices if the world is to cope with a growing population, climate change and environmental degradation.

The call comes in a report released today by a joint UN-World Bank body known as the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development.

Dr. Mary Hendrickson, a professor at the University of Missouri in the United States, is one of the report's authors.

"Business as usual in agriculture just really is not an option anymore. So we're going to have to think about agriculture as an integrated, holistic enterprise that does things like produce food, but also enhances the environment, provides for rural development opportunities, provides for income security. And so we're going to have to rethink how we do things."

The report comes at a time when rising food prices have sparked demonstrations and riots in several countries.

The UN reports that since March 2007, wheat prices have increased by 130 percent and are expected to rise because of demand.

For UN Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.

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