As the human population continues to grow, food production volumes will be required to increase in response. This raises concerns about food security and how an estimated 9.2 billion people will be fed. Agriculture and food production will play a key role in achieving this goal.
In order to meet the increased demand for food, existing farming operations will need to be improved and expanded on a global scale.Not only will food production rates need to be addressed, but so will food distribution and transportation. Sustainable farming practices will also play a key role in feeding the growing population. These changes are essential for preventing famine, disease, and global conflict.
With the help of agriculture loans, farmers can obtain the funds they need to make these changes and become part of the solution for feeding the world’s growing population.
Improving Production Levels to Feed a Growing Population
It is estimated that to feed the global population in the future, food production levels need to increase by at least 70%. To realize these increases in production, we must first look at where improvements can be made in current processes. This includes:
- Using agricultural production for renewable resources
- Focusing on nutritional security
- Ensuring farming processes are sustainable
Agricultural Production for Renewable Resources
Currently, waste produced from farming and raising livestock plays a minimal role in the grand scheme of things. However, with effort and changes in farming practices, it could play an important role in increasing agricultural production. Using waste as fertilizer or compost provides valuable crop nutrients and can improve soil quality. In turn, this can improve agricultural yield.
Focusing on Nutritional Security
It is simply not enough to make sure that people consume the right amount of calories. To adequately feed the growing global population, there must be attention given to making sure there is a nutritionally balanced diet. This means that there must also be a variety of crops grown, rather than just a handful of grains. While existing farms may simply expand operations, the needed increase in production will require new farms to be started with the help of agriculture loans.
In addition to growing a variety of crops, people must be educated on the importance of including a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables to meet their nutritional needs. This will help address the growing issue of malnutrition and undernutrition that are likely to rise without these efforts being made.
Using Food Production Processes that Are Sustainable
Increasing food production also requires using food production processes that are sustainable. Processes that should be focused on include:
- Planting cover crops
- Rotating crops
- Integrating livestock and crops
- Using integrated pest management
Focusing on sustainable farming practices can help ensure the nutritional content of crops. Additionally, these practices can also help maximize crop yields. The processes at all stages of food production including growing, harvesting, processing, storing, disposing, etc. need to be evaluated and adjusted to increase sustainability. Agriculture loans can help fund new storage facilities, modern equipment, etc. to improve production levels.
Ensuring Food Security
The way that we currently approach agriculture production can only take us so far in a world with a growing population and a changing climate. Conscious, proactive measures must be taken to develop new processes that are efficient and maximize production levels. Farmers are using agriculture loans to improve their operations so that they can produce more, helping feed the growing population.
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The efficiency of your farming operations will affect your ability to be successful in the future as demand increases with the growing population. Talk to an AgAmerica loan officer today to discuss the agriculture loans available to help you improve and grow your farming operations.