Food Security

‘The first decade of the 21st century has brought harbingers of a troubled future for global food security. The food price spike of 2008 led to food riots and political change in several countries. In 2010, the excessive heat and drought in Russia that led to wildfires and a grain embargo, as well as the unprecedented floods in Pakistan, signal more trouble ahead. A world population approaching 9 billion by 2050 and higher incomes of current poorer countries, will lead to increased food demand, which means significant challenges to sustainable agricultural production.’ (International Food Policy Research Institute, 2013).

Increasing population, decreasing farmland, increasing global insecurity and decreasing fresh water are undeniably expected in the near future. The UN report of March 2014 has summarized vividly the alarming impact of global warming on crop yields and fish catch within the next 50 years.

The mounting and indisputable evidence against the use of chemicals and genetically engineered techniques in conventional farming has sharpened consumer awareness, leading to increased demand for pure, high quality foods. The educated consumer now seeks food production audit trails, recognizing that such personal scrutiny is essential. Meanwhile, the global landscape is undergoing dramatic changes - the world's population is expected to increase to nine billion by 2050, as the area of usable land decreases. Human activity is straining the planet’s resources, threatening the health of the environment, global food security and our collective ability to thrive. As we face uncertain and extreme weather patterns, increasing scarcity of land, expense of oil, lack of water, and a growing population, we will require agricultural systems that can adapt, withstand and even mitigate these problems while producing healthy, nourishing, wholesome food.

The global food security community is swiftly shifting in support of an organic approach, recognizing that it is indeed the best option for feeding the world now, and into the future. Not only does it produce competitive yields in a healthy and sustainable manner. It also supports communities and cultures.