Modern Agriculture Provides Solutions to World Population Challenges

Nov 01, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Farmers and ranchers across the country use modern agriculture techniques and products to grow enough food for the rising global population, which the United Nations (UN) estimated reached seven billion people on Oct. 31. CropLife America (CLA) recognizes the many contributions farmers make to provide adequate food, fiber and fuel for such a large population while optimizing valuable natural resources.

With the population’s numbers rising by 4.5 billion people over the last 60 years, the world’s population continues to grow at a tremendous rate and the numbers do not show any signs of slowing. Modern agriculture’s innovative products and techniques help farmers produce more food on less land and reduce the strain on natural resources while increasing crop productivity. In fact, agricultural production in the U.S. has increased an average of 5 percent each year since 1990 while the area of land used for farming has remained the same.

“The world’s farmers and ranchers have one of the most difficult and important jobs on the planet, and the crop protection industry must continue to help farmers meet food needs by producing innovative products,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “Modern agriculture has proven to be the best method to provide enough food, fiber and fuel, and will continue to meet demands for affordable, safe and nutritious food for all.”

The UN estimates that the population will grow to 10.1 billion people over the next 90 years, and due to the steady increase the agricultural industry can expect a greater demand for food across the globe. The continued development of modern agricultural products and practices will help farmers produce enough food in a sustainable manner, and the use of herbicides, insecticides and conservation tillage has already resulted in impressive environmental benefits, including:

• 50 percent reduction in agricultural fuel use;

• 90 percent reduction in soil erosion.

The crop protection industry and farmers will continue to work together to find innovative solutions to meet world population challenges while optimizing the use of existing farmland and natural resources.