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Can dietary shifts help the agricultural industry create a sustainable food future? Much has been made of the rising global population and the effects that the increase will have on the planet. Though estimates regarding the global population by 2050 vary considerably, the World Resources Institute notes that finding ways to sustainably feed what could be an additional two to three billion people pose a number of challenges for the agricultural sector. One such challenge is meeting those demands while lowering emissions. The WRI notes that shifting to healthier, more sustainable diets could be part of the solution to that problem. According to the WRI,
consumption of beef, lamb and goat is projected to rise by 88 percent between 2010 and 2050. Beef is the most commonly consumed ruminant meat, and that could pose a problem as the global population expands rapidly between now and 2050. That’s because beef is the most resource-intensive ruminant meat to produce. Beef requires 20 times more land and emits 20 times as many greenhouse gases per gram or edible protein compared to plant proteins like lentils, beans and peas. Shifting to diets relying on plant-based proteins, including lentils, beans and peas, could help
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to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the need for more agricultural land. The WRI asserts that preventing the expansion of agricultural land could help save more lands for forests, which can play an important role in combatting climate change as the 21st century progresses. A widespread shift to a plant-based diet is unlikely to happen overnight, but there are steps the agricultural sector and governments working
in partnership can take to promote such a shift. The WRI recommends actions to improve the marketing of plant-based foods and efforts to improve meat substitutes, which are already readily available at many grocery stores. Policies that favor consumption of plantbased foods is another step governments can take as they work toward creating a sustainable food future for a global population that figures to expand considerably between 2023 and 2050.
The WRI notes that shifting to healthier, more sustainable diets could be part of the solution to climate change.
Mapping the future of agriculture The demand for food is directly related to population growth. By 2050, food needs are expected to double, according to a study published in the journal Agricultural Economics. That puts increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to meet growing demand. However, many experts think the industry will fall short. In addition to increased food demand, consumer habits, technology, and policies continue to force the agricultural industry to evolve. Indeed, the agricultural sector may look very different in the future.
Bigger digital footprint Social media has transformed many industries, and it can do the same for agriculture. Farming supply chains can communicate with one another by getting feedback from customers in real time through social media. However, agricultural operations will have to devote teams to manage social media presence, especially since misinformation is so widespread on social media. Apart from social media, local farmers may increase their efforts to utilize mobile apps and
direct-to-consumer purchasing options. The global pandemic helped businesses reimagine takeout and curbside shopping. Local farms may want to market to the home-shopping community, providing ways to deliver produce, fresh meat and poultry and other items direct to customers’ homes.
culture can be the future. This describes farming and grazing practices that may help reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. Some insist that farmers who utilize regenerative agriculture produce food that is more sustainable and healthy. This is something ecoand health-conscious consumers can stand behind.
Regenerative agriculture The future may feature a significant shift in the Technological way farms source their advancement There’s a good chance ingredients. Regenerathat technology will contion International says that regenerative agriSee FUTURE page 11