Global food security has clearly been under strain in recent years with fluctuating output, weather aberrations, rising production costs and of course food inflation that dilutes the nutrition intake of the poor. The emerging picture for the coming decade is one of firm demand driven by a combination of expanding population, rising purchasing power and changes in food habits, especially in developing countries on the one hand, and slowing growth in global agricultural output on the other. Add to this, newer threats such as land constraints, looming water shortage and adverse effects of climate change and you have a scenario that poses a daunting challenge. No wonder, the latest OECD-FAO agricultural outlook 2012-2021 argues that increased productivity and a more sustainable food system alone will improve global food security. According to the report, while international agricultural commodity markets appear to have entered calmer conditions after record highs last year, food commodity prices are anticipated to remain on a higher plateau over the next decade, underpinned by firm demand but a slowing global production growth.