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Posted on Nov 16, 2015 in Audio, Editorial, Featured, Your Texas Agriculture Minute

YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

 

Feeding a hungry world

By Gary Joiner

The reality of the situation is sobering.

The world population continues to grow, while the number of available acres to grow food stays the same or shrinks.

There are only 3.7 billion acres available for agriculture. That's less than 3 percent of the world's land–half the size of North America. The other reality...The demand for food will increase by 60 percent in 35 years.

The task sounds simple, but it's monumental. Providing enough food for the world while protecting our resources at the same time.

Here's what's needed to sustain the population explosion: 1.5 times cereal production, two times meat production, and two times oilseed production.

Can agriculture do it? Yes, it can. Farmers will continue to use every innovation available to enhance yields on existing farmland, from crop protection solutions to high-yielding seed varieties.

The world is hungry. More food is needed. The miracle of agriculture will continue to answer the dinner bell.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial above or listen to the audio version.

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