Right this second, there are 7+ billion people living on our planet. That’s 7 billion mouths to feed, and that number is only continuing to grow. If you’re in the food sector, you’re probably already aware of the growing food needs of earth’s population. The question then becomes, how do you keep up? How can farmers and food scientists increase the world’s food supply in a way that feeds people but also protects the planet?
Most farmers realize that while enough food is produced to feed everyone on the planet, the issue is one of distribution and access. Many people can’t afford to purchase food or may not have access to land to grow the food they need. It’s clear that food production must increase to keep up with the demand, and at a higher rate than might be expected. The amount of food produced isn’t the same as the amount of food that reaches people. Some crops fail. Some crops may be lost in the field. Some could spoil while being transported.
Sustainable farming techniques vary: Organic farming uses natural pest control methods to help improve yields and overall soil health. Agroecology, another sustainable method, takes a holistic approach to growing crops — studying soil health, air quality and weather patterns to help make farming decisions.
Vertical farming — or using indoor space to grow crops — is another way to produce more food, more efficiently. The accompanying resource describes the benefits of vertical farming and how to make the process more effective.
Infographic via Ultimation Industries
