A Five-Step Plan
A Proposition to Feed the People of the Future
The global human population is projected to surpass 9 billion by the year 2050. Today's food production will have to double to satisfy the demands in 30 years. Below is a set of guidelines that will surely help humanity solve this dilemma. If the steps are followed together, the goal of 19 billion tons of crops will be met, while decreasing the ecological damage of agriculture. The ideas require lots of radical change, however, this objective can be attainable if people shift their mindset to one that supports the next generations.
Avoid Deforestation
About 10% of the world's surface area, including water, is dedicated to agriculture. Cutting down rainforests for cropland is unsustainable. Humanity cannot afford to lose more forests, which is a top priority. Also, most forests cleared in the tropics do not benefit the 850 million hungry people of the world.
Increase Productivity
Almost all new food production by 2050 will need to come from existing areas. Instead of expanding farmland, farmers should increase yields on less productive farmlands in Africa, Latin America, and eastern Europe. Using modern agricultural practices and systems, the crops from these areas can increase by several times.
Agricultural Innovations
Commercial farmers have started to utilize more complex technologies in producing their crops, such as fertilizer tailored to match soil conditions and tractors that aim pesticides to reduce chemical pollution. Organic farming practices also decrease water and chemical usage, giving more "crop per drop".
A Revised Diet
Only 55% of harvested crops end up eaten by people. The rest is fed to livestock and turned into biofuels. The consumed calories in meat, dairy, and eggs are a fraction of the calories needed to create it. It is important to switch to less meat-intensive diets, find protein alternatives, and use fewer food crops for biofuels.
Decrease Food Waste
The world loses half of the total food weight. In rich countries, food is wasted before eaten. In poor nations, food is lost due to the lack of storage and transportation. Small steps such as serving smaller food portions, eating leftovers, and adding waste-reducing measures will greatly increase food availability.