To feed world in 2050, we’ll need to take advantage of food production technology, ag economist says
To feed a world population projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, technology that can enhance food production will be a significant asset, according to a K-State agricultural economist.
Ted Schroeder, university distinguished professor of agricultural economics, said dramatically increased food prices around the world in recent years, social unrest over food scarcity in countries like Argentina, Bangladesh, Egypt, Mozambique and many others — combined with a growing world population — are raising the question what will it take to feed the world’s population 40 years from now. He is speaking on the topic March 5 at K-State’s Cattlemen’s Day.
Schroeder said that technology isn’t a magic wand to make these problems disappear, but it can contribute significantly to increasing food production. He cites how Iowa’s corn yields sped past Italy’s when Iowa farmers embraced yield-enhancing, genetically modified corn varieties that have been shunned by Italy and much of the European Union.
“It shows so starkly what technology can do to increase food production with the same fixed resource base,” Schroeder said. “Technology discovery, technology development and technology adoption are huge in terms of food prices, who will produce the food and how we’re going to feed the world.”