By 2050 there will be around 9 billion people on this planet.
And to feed everyone, the world’s agricultural output must increase by 70% to avoid widespread
famine.
To learn more about the causes of famine, check out this short video from AJ+.
So, how are we going to feed the world?
Let’s take a look at the innovative future of agriculture.
Genetically engineered food technology is going to play a big role.
We already have cotton, corn, and a host of other crops that have been genetically altered
to grow in harsh conditions - but we’re about to see more.
In as little as ten years, rice, the staple crop for half of the world, could be genetically
modified to be a hardier, easier plant to grow.
Also, scientists are engineering crops to be more nutritious.
In parts of Asia and Africa, children have severe vitamin A deficiencies.
By adopting a diet with Golden Rice, which contains beta-carotene, the deaths of as many
as 3 million children can be prevented.
Scientists are also working to add more nutrition to the famine-resistant crop of the Cassava
root, which currently is the world’s third-largest source of calories.
“Precision Farming” is also going to maximize the output of future crops.
With emerging satellite technology, farmers can map and monitor their crops more accurately.
The data they collect on things like soil conditions, and weather patterns, can help
them figure out when to fertilize and water the plants.
Optimizing these measurements will reduce cost and water consumption - which is a big
deal, considering that farms use about 70% of the world’s fresh water supply.
New and more refined machines contribute to the success of these “smart farms”.
Highly specialized “farm-bots” that work on dairy farms and lettuce fields are already
on the market, offering alternatives to traditional labor practices.
Engineers are even developing robots that can delicately pick fruit, like apples, off
of trees.
But, the agricultural industry will also need some environmental reform in the future.
The drive for more farming land has contributed to tropical deforestation and habitat destruction.
And according to the United Nations, the agricultural industry accounts for around 50% of the world’s
greenhouse emissions.
So, the race to match food production with the world’s increasing population is on.
Scientists are working alongside farmers and politicians to foster innovation in the future
of agriculture.
If you want to learn about how powerful food is as a global commodity, check out our video
up top, or to see how the UN defines a famine, please watch this video from AJ+ below.
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