A prologue establishes the idea of plentiful food, before presenting the contrast of famine. The first main section concludes that the problem of world food supply preceded the war; this is illustrated with an Isotype sequence and commentary explaining surpluses and deficits in production and consumption and notes age-old problems of flood, disease and drought.

The second section accepts that grain was exported to feed the hungry in the post-war liberated countries, but states that surpluses were fed to animals and, as a result, food stocks fell below the safety level. The need to retain a 1,000 calorie diet for German miners is stressed, as is the difficulty of doing so.

The third section introduces Boyd Orr's UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), essentially a working-up of bureaucracy to deliver a world food plan. La Guardia, from the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, advocates the plan in flowing rhetorical style. He mocks the market trading of basic commodities; the speakers agree that 'there has never been a world of plenty'. FAO is said to propose a system of retaining stocks of grain from good years to balance the bad. Issues are raised and problematised; for example, that giving poor farmers agricultural machinery is likely to put others out of work. FAO is said to respond sensitively, planning to supply only the most appropriate machinery and 'to train the technicians, the teachers and the scientists, to develop agriculture and industry hand in hand'. He introduces a spoof travelogue to 'the cradle of civilisation'. Voice two argues that use of the land has meant that even this 'earthly paradise' now relies on trade for basic necessities. Voice one asserts the value of modernisation through roads, ports, new technology, hydro-electric dams and new industries.

Two voices discuss the available technical and scientific means to overcome the problems of agriculture. The sequence concludes with a rousing synthesis: 'We have the knowledge and skill to fight all these battles against hunger and poverty'. 'If we have the faith and the courage, is not this the hope of the world?' A final antithesis shows malnourished children. The music swells; a caption board reads 'The End'. Then Boyd Orr interrupts, reminding that the solution requires governments and their citizens to support the FAO plan.