FOOD MATTERS. It is a basic human need, yet its availability in adequate, safe, nutritious and regular amounts for humans is by no means assured.
While land and water for food production are both declining at alarming rates due to natural and human causes, the demand for food is still growing as populations all over the world increase.
The unending questions – where food comes from; how it is grown; how climate change impacts the supply of vegetables and fish and what we can do about it; nutrition in diet; future new types of food that will be produced in factories; how safe is organic food and GMOs, etc – present some of the most pressing food-related issues everyone, from leaders and policymakers to corporate chiefs and man-in-the-street, needs to be aware of.
This seminal book, Food Matters, by Prof Paul Teng and Manda Foo provides explanations to the many questions asked about today’s food sources and quality.
Written in prose that is easily understandable, it takes the reader through the fascinating story of the origin of our common foods, how they have changed in looks and their methods of production, and discusses many issues on the minds of consumers and governments.
THE PETRI DISH SAYS – Food production has become one very contentious topic in this age of modern technologies. It is also a topic that has been romanticised with words like “natural” and “organic”.
While everyone wants the best technologies in their cars, healthcare system, houses and workplace, many want their food to be produced in a “traditional” manner.
This book takes the readers into the basics of food production, its history, current practices and futuristic approaches that are inevitable in the face of population growth, climate change and the need for sustainable agriculture.
It takes readers behind the scenes of food production, which maybe a new experience for many who do not understand the food supply chain beyond their supermarkets.
Communicating and engaging the public in this area is not an easy feat. Paul Teng and Manda Foo articulated this extremely well in a compelling manner. This book is a great read for everyone who cares about food security.
eBook is available at Malaysia’s E-Sentral: https://www.esentral.com/book/info/266030
NOTE:
PROF PAUL TENG is an academic with the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He is also Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He has over 30 years of experience with agriculture and food issues in North America, East Africa, Australasia and Asia. Prof Teng has authored or co-edited 11 books and over 200 research papers and has travelled to over 35 countries advising governments, non-profit organisations
MANDA FOO is the owner and Chief Adventurer at Bollywood Adventures, a start-up that makes agriculture and farms accessible to urbanites. A journalist by training but an activist by heart, Manda loves to write and has contributed to the Food Security Journal, various commentaries and publications. She holds a double bachelor’s degree in Journalism and International Relations from Boston University, and a Master in Public Policy from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
