Why is the available land unable to keep pace with the growing demand? what are the consequences?
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It? That most precious of all resources, land that can support agriculture to feed a surging global population tipped to rise a staggering 24 per cent from 7.5 billion today to about 9.8 billion by 2050. That rise means the world’s farmers will need to produce at least 60 per cent more food than it currently does, if all mouths are to be fed adequately.
While the world currently has a “glut” of wheat, barley, rice, corn and some dairy products, this is at odds with the fact about 800 million people around the world are either starving or suffering from chronic undernourishment.
Even among those who can afford to pay for food, the global food crisis of 2007-08, when staples such as maize and wheat became scarce, is evidence the balance between oversupply and heavy demand can easily and quickly tip the other way.
With increasing urbanisation of populous countries such as China and India, water aquifers drying up in some countries, agricultural land being degraded and water pollution rising in others, questions arise as to whether there will be enough land to maintain food production or that agricultural productivity will keep pace.
While the world currently has a “glut” of wheat, barley, rice, corn and some dairy products, this is at odds with the fact about 800 million people around the world are either starving or suffering from chronic undernourishment.
Even among those who can afford to pay for food, the global food crisis of 2007-08, when staples such as maize and wheat became scarce, is evidence the balance between oversupply and heavy demand can easily and quickly tip the other way.
With increasing urbanisation of populous countries such as China and India, water aquifers drying up in some countries, agricultural land being degraded and water pollution rising in others, questions arise as to whether there will be enough land to maintain food production or that agricultural productivity will keep pace.
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