Figuring out how the world can adequately and nutritiously feed nearly 10 billion people by the year 2050 in a manner that advances human wellbeing, while also reducing the food system’s impact on the environment, particularly on climate change, is one of the grand challenges of this half-century.
Previous studies have found that addressing this challenge will entail closing the gap between the food needed by 2050 and that available today, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from business-as-usual agriculture and related land-use change by 2050 in order to meet the Paris Agreement on climate change.
One critical intervention for achieving both is to reduce the current rate of food loss and waste by 50%. Reducing food loss and waste, and thereby increasing the amount of food harvested that ultimately gets eaten by people, is an important strategy for ensuring food security and combating climate change. In addition, reducing the rate of food loss and waste by 50% would significantly reduce GHG emissions because more efficient use of food would diminish the need for land conversion for additional food production, slow the rate of increase in fertiliser applications, and reduce methane emissions from food in landfills.
Recent modelling found that doing so would close the gap between the amount of food needed to adequately feed the planet in 2050, and the amount of food available in 2010 by more than 20%. It was also found that a 50% reduction in the rate of food loss and waste would reduce the food system’s projected business-as-usual GHG emissions in 2050 by 10% to 14%.
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?
Denne historien er fra December 20, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra December 20, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
