Feeding the multitude - where is tomorrow's equivalent of the five loaves and two fishes?

Despite the fears of Malthus, production of the major food products (grains , oilseeds, and livestock) has kept pace with population growth on a global basis, though not always on a regional basis. This claim is supported with appropriate numbers and the ways in which food supplies have been increase d are discussed. It seems likely that this can continue for at least anothe r twenty years but the situation is less clear thereafter. However, man's i ngenuity continues to provide hope for a favourable outcome.