Over the next few decades we shall see a major increase in the global demand for food while at the same time the need to make food production sustainable will become ever more imperative. In this talk I shall argue that the challenges ahead require action throughout the food system: on moderating demand, reducing waste, improving governance but also increasing supply. Globally, the environmental costs of bringing new land into agriculture should rule out major extensification and this implies that any increase in food production should come from existing land and should emphasise the environment. This programme has been called sustainable intensification though the term is not liked by everyone. I will explore the different dimensions of sustainable intensification, how the organic movement can contribute to it, and how sustainable intensification relates to other food system priorities.
