Energy subsidy as a criterion in food policy planning

The assessment of the energy requirement to a production process is one way of assessing the long term viability of such a process. Food production, both agricultural and industrial, are assessed in energy terms for 131 food producing systems. By relating the data to land area utilised in the production process, a methodology is revealed which is useful in long range planning for food production, especially applicable to the less developed countries. It appears that for such countries the industrial methods currently being developed are not necessarily in the best interests of these countries but are more suited to highly developed countries with assured sources of energy.