scholarly journals Current global food production is sufficient to meet human nutritional needs in 2050 provided there is radical societal adaptation

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Berners-Lee ◽  
C. Kennelly ◽  
R. Watson ◽  
C. N. Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
Edible Crops ◽  
Iron And Zinc ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Global Food

We present a quantitative analysis of global and regional food supply to reveal the flows of calories, protein and the micro-nutrients vitamin A, iron and zinc, from production through to human consumption and other end points. We quantify the extent to which reductions in the amount of human-edible crops fed to animals and, less importantly, reductions in waste, could increase food supply. The current production of crops is sufficient to provide enough food for the projected global population of 9.7 billion in 2050, although very significant changes to the socio-economic conditions of many (ensuring access to the global food supply) and radical changes to the dietary choices of most (replacing most meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives, and greater acceptance of human-edible crops currently fed to animals, especially maize, as directly-consumed human food) would be required. Under all scenarios, the scope for biofuel production is limited. Our analysis finds no nutritional case for feeding human-edible crops to animals, which reduces calorie and protein supplies. If society continues on a ‘business-as-usual’ dietary trajectory, a 119% increase in edible crops grown will be required by 2050.

scholarly journals Untapped power of food system by-products to increase global food supply

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilma Sandström ◽  
Anna Chrysafi ◽  
Marjukka Lamminen ◽  
Max Troell ◽  
Mika Jalava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Food System ◽  
Free Food ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
By Products ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Aquaculture Production ◽  
Global Food Supply

Abstract Many animal feeds compete for resources with human food production. The current use of food system by-products and residues as feed could potentially be increased to reduce the competition. We gathered a harmonised global food system material flow database for crop, livestock and aquaculture production including the availability of food system by-products. This allowed us to analyse the potential to replace the food-competing feedstuff, here cereals, whole fish, vegetable oils and pulses, that currently account for 11% of total feed used globally, with available food system by-products. While considering the nutritional requirements in animal production, we found that the replacement could free food-grade feeds for human consumption and increase the current food supply in kcal by 11-17% (6-11% if the use of crop residues is not accounted for) and in terms of protein 11-15% (9-14%). Our results thus indicate that the increased feed use of by-products has considerable potential, particularly when used in combination with other measures, in the much needed transition towards more sustainable and circular food systems.

Phosphorus: Past History and Contributions to the Global Food Supply

2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Past History ◽  
Phosphate Fertilizer ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Global Food Supply

Since its early rudimentary forms, phosphate fertilizer has developed in step with our understanding of successful food production systems. Recognized as essential to life, the responsible use P in agriculture remains key to food security.

scholarly journals Global food supply: land use efficiency of livestock systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 747-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah H. E. van Zanten ◽  
Herman Mollenhorst ◽  
Cindy W. Klootwijk ◽  
Corina E. van Middelaar ◽  
Imke J. M. de Boer
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Land Use Efficiency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Livestock Systems ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Global Food Supply

Sustainable Global Food Supply

2016 ◽  
pp. 651-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman R. Scott ◽  
Hongda Chen ◽  
Robin Schoen
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Global Food Supply

scholarly journals Identity Preservation of Genetically Modified Organisms in the Food Chain: Requirements, Methods, and Costs

2002 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 762-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Brookes
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Herbicide Tolerance ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Food Supply Chain

Abstract The use of the technology of genetic modification (GM) in European agriculture and the food supply chain is currently controversial. Because of strong anti-GM technology sentiments, the use of ingredients derived from plants containing GM have largely been eliminated from foods manufactured for direct human consumption by the food supply chain in much of the European Union (EU). During the past year, the attention of those opposed to the technology has turned to the use of GM ingredients in livestock production systems by incorporation of GM soy and maize in animal feed. A discussion is presented of the key issues relating to this subject, focusing on how supplies of GM or non-GM products are segregated or how their identities are preserved. The discussion is centered on GM maize and soybeans into which agronomic traits, such as herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance, have been incorporated. These are currently the only crops into which some varieties containing GM have been approved for use in the EU.

Surface ozone impact on global food supply: Potential damage and adaptation for soybean crops

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (37) ◽  
pp. 372043
Author(s):  
Edmar Teixeira ◽  
G Fischer ◽  
H van Velthuizen ◽  
F Ewert ◽  
R van Dingenen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Surface Ozone ◽  
Supply Potential ◽  
Potential Damage ◽  
Global Food ◽  
Global Food Supply

scholarly journals Diversity and Utilization of Edible Plants and Macro-Fungi in Subtropical Guangdong Province, Southern China

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyang Liao ◽  
Linping Zhang ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Qiaoyun Li ◽  
Danxia Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Guangdong Province ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Edible Plants ◽  
Edible Plant ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Edible Parts

Food supply from forests is a fundamental component of forest ecosystem services, but information relating to suitability for human consumption and sustainable utilization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in developing countries is lacking. To address this gap in knowledge, diverse datasets of edible plants and macro-fungi were obtained from field collections, historical publications, and community surveys across seven cities in Guangdong Province (GP), southern China. Seven edible parts and five food categories of plant species were classified according to usage and specific nutrient components. Edible plant species were also categorized into different seasons and life forms. Our results show that at least 100 plant species (with 64 plant species producing fruit) and 20 macro-fungi were commonly used as edible forest products in subtropical GP. There were 55 and 57 species providing edible parts in summer and autumn, respectively. Many edible plants had multiple uses. Tree and herbaceous species made up the majority of the total. Our study provides evidence that both edible plants and macro-fungi can enrich the food supply for residents in rural and urban areas by acting as supplemental resources. We therefore suggest that, in spite of the prevalence of imported foods due to modern infrastructure, edible NTFPs from subtropical forests might be leveraged to support the increasing demand for food in an era of rapid urbanization and global change.

scholarly journals Economic Effects of Biofuel Production on States and Rural Communities

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe L. Parcell ◽  
Patrick Westhoff
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Local Taxes ◽  
Current Production ◽  
Corn Prices ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Production Industry ◽  
Incentive Payments

This study summarizes research on farm-, local-, regional-, and macro-level economic effects of ethanol production. Given current production levels, the ethanol production industry annually employees approximately 3,500 workers, pays out nearly $132 million in worker salaries, generates over $110 million in local taxes, and takes in some $2 billion in government incentive payments. Projections for a 60 million gallon per year ethanol plant indicate an annual increase in corn usage of 21 million bushels, a one-time capitalization of $75 million, an increase in local corn prices of between $0.06/bushel and $0.12/bushel, a 54 direct and a 210 indirect jobs created, an increase in local tax revenues of $1.2 million, a decrease in federal commodity program outlays of $30 million, and an increase in ethanol production incentives (federal only) of around $30.5 million.

scholarly journals Multi-objective optimization identifies trade-offs between self-sufficiency and environmental impacts of regional agriculture in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Christian Buschbeck ◽  
Larissa Bitterich ◽  
Christian Hauenstein ◽  
Stefan Pauliuk
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Impact Reduction ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Political Targets

Regional food supply, organic farming, and changing food consumption are three major strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of the agricultural sector. In the German Federal State of Baden-Württemberg (population: 11 million), multiple policy and economic incentives drive the uptake of these three strategies, but quantitative assessments of their overall impact abatement potential are lacking. Here, the question of how much food can be produced regionally while keeping environmental impacts within political targets is tackled by comparing a scenario of maximum productivity to an optimal solution obtained with a multi-objective optimization (MO) approach. The investigation covers almost the entirety of productive land in the state, two production practices (organic or conventional), four environmental impact categories, and three demand scenarios (base, vegetarian, and vegan). We present an area-based indicator to quantify the self-sufficiency of regional food supply, as well as the database required for its calculation. Environmental impacts are determined using life cycle assessment. Governmental goals for reducing environmental impacts from agriculture are used by the MO to determine and later rate the different Pareto-efficient solutions, resulting in an optimal solution for regional food supply under environmental constraints. In the scenario of maximal output, self-sufficiency of food supply ranged between 61% and 66% (depending on the diet), and most political targets could not be met. On the other hand, the optimal solution showed a higher share of organic production (ca. 40%–80% com¬pared to 0%) and lower self-sufficiency values (between 40% and 50%) but performs substantially better in meeting political targets for environmental impact reduction. At the county level, self-sufficiency varies between 2% for densely populated urban districts and 80% for rural counties. These results help policy-makers benchmark and refine their goalsetting regarding regional self-sufficiency and environmental impact reduction, thus ensuring effective policymaking for sustainable community development.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document