Published date: February 2, 2022
The book "Pianeta Stretto" by Massimo Livi Bacci highlights global population growth and the challenges it poses for agriculture and food in the 21st century.
Currently, less than a third of the Earth's surface is land, and about 30% of this is used for agriculture. Most of it is used for grazing, while a smaller portion is arable or used for permanent crops.
The main global challenges for agriculture are:
- Population and consumption growth: The world population is increasing, as is the demand for food and calories per capita.
- Climate crisis: Climate change negatively affects agricultural production capacity.
- Agricultural productivity: Growth in agricultural productivity is not keeping pace with the increase in food demand.
These challenges require reflection on emerging trends in food consumption, such as plant-based diets, cultured meat, climatarian, vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as innovative production models such as vertical farming and hydroponics.
In January 2022, the world population reached 8 billion. According to the United Nations, it is expected to reach 10.9 billion by the end of the century.
Global food demand is also influenced by rising per capita calorie consumption. For example, in North America, diets are rich in meat, dairy products, and eggs, while in Africa and Asia, cereals dominate. However, these regions are also seeing an increase in animal protein consumption, with significant environmental implications.
Animal-based food production requires proportionately more land, water, and resources, and generates more emissions than plant-based production. Currently, global food demand averages 2,884 kcal per person per day, or over a million calories per person per year.
To address these challenges, strategic choices and an increasing focus on sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector are needed.
