Put simply, people and communities can be considered food secure only if they have consistent access to safe, nutritious food supplies. This supply must be sufficient to meet dietary needs for the maintenance of a healthy and active lifestyle. Despite being one of the biggest challenges facing today’s global community, the complicated issue of food security is often overlooked. Agrisecura has the technology and expertise to address this challenge.
“Single Country” supply reliance creates supply shock risk (political and drought based) diversification is required.
Supply and demand imbalance has lead to significant food price growth propelling agriculture share price returns.
Supply and demand imbalance has lead to significant food price growth propelling agriculture share price returns.
Key Issues
Crop Yields
Crop yield refers to the amount of a crop that was harvested per unit area of land cultivation, as well as the seed generation of the plant itself. The world population is set to reach a staggering 9.3 billion by 2050, presenting a serious risk to future food security. Factors such as soil degradation mean that annual crop yield growth is not currently sufficient to support future population growth.
Land Supply
As Mark Twain so aptly put it, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore”. The world only has a finite amount of land, and issues such as urban expansion and land degradation mean the amount available for agricultural use is decreasing. With growing demand, food production must increase dramatically; less arable land presents a serious challenge to the global community.
Infrastructure
A lack of transport infrastructure in developing countries provides a significant obstacle to farming. An inability to move equipment, fertiliser and produce holds back agricultural development and leads to an increased risk of food insecurity. Adequate infrastructure can take years to put in place.
Skills Shortages
Rapid urbanisation is occurring in developing countries, with many young people turning their backs on farming for a better life in the city. The average age of farmers is rising and a lack of young people will contribute to a severe skills shortage in the future.
Water Supplies
Without reliable supplies of fresh water, agriculture is unsustainable. Across the world, we are seeing unprecedented changes in once-reliable weather patterns and this is having a profound effect on farming. From severe droughts in the Western United States, to the depletion of aquifers across the globe, access to fresh water is becoming a major issue which must be addressed.