21 Copyright © 2017, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 2 DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-0942-4.ch002 ABSTRACT Addressing environmental and social impacts on agricultural development and food security is a global priority since increased food production of 60-70% is estimated to be required by 2050 to feed the grow- ing world population. In developing nations, the situation is more acute since fewer social, technological and fnancial resources are available to combat climate change, which is expected to have negative ef- fects on agricultural production, and there are other constraints to achieving food security. This chapter explores the social and environmental issues afecting agricultural production facing farmers and other agricultural practitioners, policy makers, institutions and stakeholders in the developing world. It will also address how progress in research in emerging economies can be put to maximum beneft in the face of these existing social and environmental challenges. A cohesive strategy to address these challenges is presented. INTRODUCTION The world’s population is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050 (Hubert, Rosegrant, Van Boekel & Ortiz, 2010), and it is estimated that a 60-70% global increase in food production is needed to feed this growing population (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), 2015; FAO, 2007, 2014; Mba, Guimaraes, & Ghosh, 2012). Currently, approximately 2 billion persons are food insecure since they do not meet one or several of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO’s) dimensions of food security (access to adequate food, availability and utilization of nutritious food and stable supply (Hubert et al., 2010; Wheeler & von Braun, 2013)). Furthermore, 805 million persons did not have access to sufficient food during 2012-2014 (Maggio, Van Criekinge, & Malingreau, 2015). Food Social and Environmental Impacts on Agricultural Development Frances Bekele The University of the West Indies – St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago Isaac Bekele The University of the West Indies – St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago