The poorest regions of the world with the highest levels of chronic hunger are likely to be among the worst affected by climate change.

Many developing countries, particularly in Africa, could become increasingly dependent on food imports, according to a discussion paper recently published by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.

While globally the impact of climate change on food production may be small, at least until 2050, the distribution of production will have severe consequences on food security: Developing countries may experience a decline of between 9 and 21 percent in overall potential agricultural productivity as a result of global warming, the paper estimated.

The paper reported that climate change is among the main challenges to agriculture in feeding the world's population, projected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050.

At the same time, FAO stated that several agriculture-based mitigation options for climate change could generate significant benefits for both food security and climate change adaptation.

Increasing soil carbon sequestration through forestry and agroforestry initiatives and tillage practices, improving efficiency of nutrient management and restoring degraded lands are examples of actions that have great mitigation potential and high co-benefits, the Farm Post eNews from the Pike and Scott County Farm Bureaus reported.

Biodiesel returns

A new study shows biodiesel is returning more than four times the energy that it takes to make the fuel.

New published research from the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that for every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel, the return is 4.5 units of energy. This energy-in, energy-out ratio is "energy balance."

Biodiesel made from soybean oil has a high energy balance because the main energy source used to grow soybeans is solar.

The USDA/Idaho study found key drivers that continue to make biodiesel an efficient fuel choice including:

* New seed varieties and management practices are upping soybean yields.

* Farmers have minimized cultivation of the soil. These reduced tillage practices have cut how much fuel they need to grow soybeans.

* Modern soybean varieties have reduced the need for pesticides.

* Today's soybean processing and biodiesel plants are far more energy efficient.

"Our research shows continued progress in the renewability of biodiesel production," said University of Idaho Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering assistant professor Dev Shrestha. "Farmers, soybean processors and biodiesel producers are getting even better at using non-fossil resources and adopting other efficiencies that are leading to greater energy returns."

-- Compiled by Herald-Whig Staff Writer Deborah Gertz Husar