1.1 Introduction
Agriculture is a high risk industry, not only subject to the adverse influence of natural hazards but it is also challenged by the risk of market price fluctuations, policy changes, and ecology deterioration. With possible global climate change, agricultural risk has become an important issue in recent years. Extreme weather disasters and higher volatility in food prices in global markets during recent years have highlighted the importance of stable agricultural production and global food security for researchers and policy makers. Agricultural risk not only restricts the stability of farmers’ income, but also can result in food security risks, spread to the entire national economy. This can affect the sustainable development of the agricultural and the national economy, as well as impact the global food economy. Therefore, it is important to enhance the management of agricultural risk and food security, and these issues have been given more attention from the agricultural researchers and economists around the world.

In order to enhance research on the issues of agricultural risk and food security and facilitate communication and collaboration for scholars among China and world, we are pleased to announce that an International Symposium on Agricultural Risk and Food Security will be held in Beijing on June 10~12, 2010.