The article "Pesticide productivity and food security: A review" by József Popp, Károly Pető, and János Nagy discusses the challenges and strategies related to pesticide use in agriculture to ensure food security. With a projected global population increase to 9.2 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to rise by 70%, necessitating more efficient agricultural practices. The authors highlight that current crop losses due to pests are significant, averaging 35% of potential yield, and that these losses are exacerbated by the limited availability of additional agricultural land. They emphasize the need for sustainable production methods to meet future food demands while minimizing environmental and health impacts. The review covers several key aspects: 1. **Worldwide Crop Losses Due to Pests**: It provides estimates of crop losses due to pests, which vary from 50% in wheat to over 80% in cotton. 2. **Estimates of Pesticide-Related Productivity**: The economic benefits of pesticide use are discussed, including the cost savings from reduced crop losses and the overall productivity gains. However, the authors note that partial-budget models often overestimate the productivity of pesticides. 3. **Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use**: The economic analyses of pesticide benefits are complex, influenced by factors such as government subsidies and the "polluter pays" principle. The environmental and public health costs of pesticides are also significant, including increased pest resistance, loss of natural pollinators, and groundwater contamination. 4. **Biopesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)**: The potential of biopesticides and IPM is explored, highlighting their social and environmental benefits. The MARGINS project by Syngenta is cited as an example of successful IPM implementation, demonstrating how to balance crop productivity with environmental protection. 5. **Challenges of the Global Pesticide Market**: The globalization of the pesticide market and the impact of trade policies on pesticide use are discussed. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable practices and the importance of regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe and effective use of pesticides. Overall, the article underscores the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, including the use of biopesticides and IPM, to address the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability.The article "Pesticide productivity and food security: A review" by József Popp, Károly Pető, and János Nagy discusses the challenges and strategies related to pesticide use in agriculture to ensure food security. With a projected global population increase to 9.2 billion by 2050, the demand for food is expected to rise by 70%, necessitating more efficient agricultural practices. The authors highlight that current crop losses due to pests are significant, averaging 35% of potential yield, and that these losses are exacerbated by the limited availability of additional agricultural land. They emphasize the need for sustainable production methods to meet future food demands while minimizing environmental and health impacts. The review covers several key aspects: 1. **Worldwide Crop Losses Due to Pests**: It provides estimates of crop losses due to pests, which vary from 50% in wheat to over 80% in cotton. 2. **Estimates of Pesticide-Related Productivity**: The economic benefits of pesticide use are discussed, including the cost savings from reduced crop losses and the overall productivity gains. However, the authors note that partial-budget models often overestimate the productivity of pesticides. 3. **Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use**: The economic analyses of pesticide benefits are complex, influenced by factors such as government subsidies and the "polluter pays" principle. The environmental and public health costs of pesticides are also significant, including increased pest resistance, loss of natural pollinators, and groundwater contamination. 4. **Biopesticides and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)**: The potential of biopesticides and IPM is explored, highlighting their social and environmental benefits. The MARGINS project by Syngenta is cited as an example of successful IPM implementation, demonstrating how to balance crop productivity with environmental protection. 5. **Challenges of the Global Pesticide Market**: The globalization of the pesticide market and the impact of trade policies on pesticide use are discussed. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable practices and the importance of regulatory frameworks to ensure the safe and effective use of pesticides. Overall, the article underscores the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, including the use of biopesticides and IPM, to address the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability.