The 2050 Food Security Challenge, is one of the most widely known and concerning issues of the 21st century due to its vast potential of impacting the entire earth. In an analysis titled “Solutions for a Cultivated Planet,” Foley et al. (2011) note that it as “one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century” (p. 1). In summary, the issue addresses the need for massive expansion of food production in order to accommodate our ever-growing population. By 2050, the world population is expected to reach 9-10 billion people, an increase of approximately 35% in 33 years (FAO, p. 2). As a result, a large increase in food production is required, while using less land, less water, decreasing the overall environmental impact, improving …show more content…
83-84). Currently certified organic land is approximately 37 million hectares or 91.4 million acres, accounting for 0.9% of all agricultural land (Niggli, 2014, p. 84).
Although relatively small in comparison to conventional farming, Niggli emphasises the importance of organic production in feeding the growing population. Overall, he supports his claim with three major points; the lower environmental impacts, the environmental benefits and the potential for growth. Niggli (2014) begins by stressing the multi-functionality of organic production and states, “Organic agriculture produces both commodity and non-commodity outputs and addresses ethical concerns such as animal welfare and the livelihoods of farmers” (p. 84). He continues by discussing the how organic production allows for natural growth and biodiversity due to regular crop rotation, as well as restrictions on pesticides and herbicides. Additionally, bans on chemical fertilizers decrease nitrogen leaches by 35-65%, all of which help maintain soil and drinking water quality (Niggli, 2014, p.84). In general, the natural methods that are pursued through organic production have a significantly lower environmental impact.
In addition to the lowered environmental impact, Niggli discusses the environmental benefits.
The global population is expected to reach 9 billion people by the year 2050 and scientific projections indicate that world is on a trajectory towards an environmental and global food crisis. World Leaders, environmental enthusiasts and aid agencies have cause for alarm as they support urgent policies for change, for without them mankind will face unprecedented food insecurity. In 2015 estimates were that there were “some 795 million people” [World Food Programme, 2015], experiencing food insecurity and 3.1 million children under 5 died through malnutrition, while Australians continue to waste an estimated 361 Kg’s of food per person per yr [PMSEIC, 2010, p.44] All the while the earth groans under the weight of Greenhouse Gas Emissions [GHG], deforestation, soil degradation and
The articles “Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?”, by the Mayo Clinic Staff and “Is organic better for your health? A look at milk, meat, eggs, produce and fish”, by Tamer Haspel, delve into whether or not the products produced by organic farming are more nutritious and or safer than those produced by conventional farming.
An arising food category in America is anything organic. Over the years, several local grocery stores organic section is rapidly increasing. Michael Pollan, who wrote Omnivore's Dilemma, is a New York Times bestselling author. Pollan stated, “Forty years ago there was no such category as ‘organic’ food. Today it is a $20-billion business- the fastest growing part of the food industry.” (112) With organic farming becoming more common, there are many changes being made that are resulting in significant outcomes. One of the substantial changes while using organic farming is the improved treatment and health of animals. Further knowledge and awareness of the importance on how organic farming is better for the lives of animals, as well as our health is needed. Gaining more education on animals lives with organic farming, will potentially lead organic food becoming the most popular because of its remarkable outcomes.
Over the next forty years, global population is expected to reach nine billion people. This increase in population, combined with expected economic growth, will cause an increase in food demanded and inevitably drain the resources we use for food production. So far, agriculture has been able to respond positively to the rising demand for crop and livestock products. However, farmers are already faced with many new challenges associated with feeding an expanding global population. Farmers must now meet strict new emissions requirements and produce more food on fewer acres while minimizing their environmental footprint. The demand for food is expected to grow substantially in the next couple decades. Some of the factors affecting an increase in food demands are population growth, rising incomes of individuals, food supply factors, and biofuels.
As an alternative to the industrial food chain which is now prevail in the US, the organic food chain emphasis that “nature rather than the machine should supply the proper model for agriculture” (Pollan 131). The idea of “organic” is best demonstrated by farms that raise diversified species in a traditional way and target at the local market. However, most of the “organic food” people consume today is produced from the “industrial organic” farms which belong to the industrial food chain instead of the ideal organic food
By the year 2050, it is estimated that there will be nine billion people living on the planet, the problem arises when it comes time to feed all nine billion. In essence, this is what the global food crisis is. In the video “Feeding Nine Billion Video 1: Introducing Solutions to the Global Food Crisis,” the causes of the food crisis are explained in terms of climate, population growth, and the lack of food in stores. Despite the grim outlook drawn, the video claims that there is a solution to this crisis and that we already have the means to solve it. In combination with one another, four global solutions can be applied and modified for local communities to prevent and end the crisis. Through science
One of the widely discussed issues, nowadays, we must tackle sooner rather than later is scarcity of food on our planet. Today our population growth is rising , and as Jonathan Foley says “ In 2050 there will be nine billion people in Earth “. Our planet does not have sufficient amount of food to feed whole world’s population. It is obvious that, the planet has a problem with the food supply to 2050 and to rectify this problem we need to stop expanding land, increase crops on land that we already have, use water efficiently, use less animal products, and to save food- as Jonathan Foley suggests in “ Feeding Nine Billion “. I feel fearful, but I do not want to change my habits.
In July 2013 a report issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs[31] warned that with 2.4 billion more people by 2050, the amount of food produced will have to increase by 70%, straining food resources, especially in countries already facing food insecurity due to changing environmental conditions. The mix of changing environmental conditions and the growing population of urban regions, according to UN experts, will strain basic sanitation systems and health care, and potentially cause a humanitarian and environmental
Conversely, natural cultivation is an advanced technology that does not harm the environment as well as the biosphere. As a matter of fact, no longer do cultivated areas contaminated, pesticide residual, emaciated and degraded. Instead, this technique assists boost biodiversity and the biosphere reserve in nature and protect the environment from antiquated farming practice. It would be the height of folly, however, not to mention some drawbacks of organic agriculture and advantages of intensive farming. For one thing, organic farming, while conventional farming is manufacturing bigger yields, cannot produce enough food to assuage the world’s appetite. For another thing, it would be rather difficult for the impoverished and underprivileged to afford high-priced products from natural farming, which, consequently, can in part limit their interests of utilizing fresh food. Meanwhile, intensive agriculture, with curtailed prices, can meet the requirements of more people. In conclusion, there is no denying that organic and intensive farming play a vital role in life. Notwithstanding, everything frequently parallels with its downsides and these methods are not an exception. Anyway, with the rational ways of exploiting these technological advances and future development in their security, hopefully all problems will be eliminated and the merits can be
Organic farming is becoming an increasingly popular market throughout the world. (Adam, 2004, p. 666). The aims of organic farming are, to decrease pollution, maintain soil fertility and biodiversity, be more sustainable, and have increased nutritional benefits than conventionally grown foods (Yaping et. al., 2003, p. 298). While the aim of conventional farming is to provide safe, proficient supplies of food, in abundance and at low prices (Trewavas, 2001, p.409). Since 1996, the amount of land in the UK dedicated to organic farming has risen tenfold (Adam, 2004, p. 666). As well, from 1992 to 1997, the amount of certified organic cropland in the US more than doubled (Tafel et al, 2007, p.182 ). The main difference between organic and
Organic Farming is the practice of producing food without the use of harmful chemicals that can cause great damage to the environment. Their production is natural and is done without the use of things like pesticides, herbicides or growth hormones in order to protect the surrounding areas. They are produced without synthetic chemicals and no genetic modification can be used for these particular plants. These plants are supposed to have higher nutritional quality without artificial fertilisers or synthetic chemicals. Organic Farming falls within the Agriculture and Fisheries sector as it involves cultivating of land to grow foods.
With the population of the world continuing to grow and the need for an increased amount of food to sustain this population globally, it is important to take a look at the present state of food
The average yield of organic farming over all crops was 75% of conventional crop yield. The main reason for low yield in organic farming was insufficient availability of nutrient. Input energy consumption in organic farming was 21% lower than conventional farming. Lower energy inputs in organic farming were mainly due to the low use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (Tuomisto et al., 2012). The individual yield in organic crops are on average 80% of conventional crops and the average yield gap between organic and conventional farming is more than 20% (De Ponti et al., 2012). The yield from organic Chinese kale was approximately 5 times lower than conventional Chinese kale. The higher yield in
The main aim of organic farmers and the industry as a whole is to enhance biological diversity within the system, increase soil biological activity and maintain long-term soil fertility (AsureQuality, 2016).
The National Organic Standards Boards defines organic agriculture is ìan ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic