Campaigners for food security must include science in their goals — and in return scientists need to heed wider concerns around solutions.

Efforts to promote sustainable development must tap into technologies developed locally, driven by community needs and priorities.

Biosafety is important, but so is ensuring that GM crops benefit the rural poor and that decisions are based on sound science.

Even focused research will not deliver agricultural progress unless donors also help join up links in the development chain.

More agricultural research funding and a farmer-centred approach to boosting food production are needed to prevent future food emergencies.