There have been many advances in the natural sciences over the last fifty years, which have dramatically altered the way that we produce food. This has enabled more crops to be grown on the same amount of land than ever before. An important factor with the world's population ever increasing.

Some of agriculture based changes have had side effects though, with the use or even sometimes over use of pesticides which can have unknown, long term consequences. Nowadays, changes are coming in different forms rather than chemical ones.

One that is showing promising signs of future development is in hydroponics. This allows vegetable crops to be grown indoors and with substantially less water than when grown out in a field. The yield is also improved with more than one crop capable in a year. In fact, it is a year around production.

Another development has been in the use of bio-fuels. Now crops are grown not only to eat, but to act as a source of fuel for vehicles so that our dependence on fossil fuels can be reduced.

However, one of the current trends, is for both the discovery and cultivation of what are becoming known as "super foods". Taking the Acai berry as an example, it is packed with anti-oxidants and has many beneficial properties that can perhaps help to extend not only our life span, but the quality of life as well.