UN: Changes needed to feed the world

Posted by IronPlanet on May 31, 2012 5:22:00 AM

In order for the world to deal with the sharp rise in population expected by 2050, agriculture and food production will need to increase significantly, according to a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

According to Reuters, the FAO's latest report says food production will need to increase by 60 percent as the world's population rises from 7 billion to 9 billion people over the next four decades. However, the FAO believes production and agriculture will not need to increase by that much if changes are made to the current system.

"To 'beat the projections' we need to make bold policy decisions that will affect income growth patterns, changes in dietary preferences, levels of food waste and how agricultural production is used for non-food purposes," the report states.

The report calls for changes on both the production and consumption sides of the equation. Farmers need to reduce their impact on the environment and embrace sustainable farming in order to avoid soil and water depletion and allow enough acreage for the future.

Meanwhile, food consumers mainly need to focus on avoiding waste and stopping excessive consumption. The FAO estimates 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted every year - nearly one-third of the food fit for human consumption. If this figure were reduced, agriculture and production would not need to increase so sharply.

Farmers hoping to increase their own output need to ensure they have the right agricultural equipment to get the job done. The online auction site IronPlanet offers a wide variety of tractors, sprayers and other equipment at affordable prices. What's more, this equipment is backed by the site's IronClad Assurance policy, which allows buyers to view full inspection reports before they bid.

Topics: Industry Headlines