Food security and the need to develop sustainable agriculture are set to become dominant issues affecting the whole world – as the enactment last year of the Indian National Food Security Act, 2013 (also known as the Right to Food Act) shows.

This law aims to provide subsidised  food grains to approximately two thirds of India’s  1.2 billion people and creates a legal right to food at a time when  India’s economic growth is slowing and its food supply faces pressure from a growing population and diminishing land and water resources .

The world’s population is projected to increase dramatically from 7 to 9 billion in the next 30 years, causing an unprecedented demand for food and increased pressure on land.

The aim of the Masters programme in Food Security being offered by the University of Glasgow this year is to provide graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills relating to the broad topic of food security, incorporating socio-economic, animal and crop aspects.

A key feature is that it provides a very broad perspective on Food Security: it discusses the demographic, social and economic issues; the challenges of achieving sustainable agriculture; and presents the factors affecting food production from crops and animal sources.

A particular strength of this MSc is that it is taught through collaboration between academics with world-class expertise in animal food production and disease and in crop biotechnology. The programme will include guest lectures on a range of topics and site visits; students will acquire knowledge of technology transfer and commercialisation and be trained in practical laboratory skills in molecular biology and genetic modification; and they will undertake a project that will develop their investigative skills and their ability to critically appraise and integrate information from different sources.

Career prospects include working in agri-industry, research institutes, government advisory, international advisory, media and research positions.

The fee for the full-year programme is £17,250.

Source :  Lokesh Shastri