Feeding the World
- The world's population of 7 billion in 2011 is projected to increase to 9.3 billion people by 2050.
- This means we need to produce twice the amount of food in the first 50 years of the 21st Century that the globe produced in the entire 20th Century.
- This food has to be produced from the same or less area of land as now. There will also be less fresh water per person.
- This means continued increases in productivity are required and will be delivered through new research findings and applying new technologies along the food supply chain.
It is clear that we are going to need the best minds and the best skills to make a difference in this challenge. The task is daunting but exciting and there are many opportunities. A career in agriculture or related areas will set you up to contribute in production, processing, research, marketing, overseas aid and all parts in between. Such qualifications will allow you to move between sectors without difficulty as the opportunities arise.