The Challenge of Feeding Future Populations World population already exceeds 7 billion. UNPF suggests it may reach 9.5 billion by Others project that future population may reach 14 billion.

Resource availability Total land area 13 billion Ha Crop land 11%-1.4 billion Ha Pasture land 27% billion Ha Forest 32% Urban areas 9% Remaining 21% unsuitable for food production due to soils, topography, climate etc.

Resource Availability Energy Diesel fuel Field machines Crop dryers Natural Gas Fertiliser manufacture – 3% of global use Pesticide manufacture Electricity Processing and Horticulture

Resource availability Water Agriculture consumes 70% of total abstracted water Primary use is Irrigation Already causes conflicts and tensions

Question? Available area of agricultural land is decreasing. Supplies of fossil fuels are being depleted. Water supplies are already under severe pressure How are we going to double current food availability?

Food loss In less developed countries, large quantities of foods are wasted at producer end of supply chain.

Many facilities are dilapidated and out-dated Many stores are old Unhygienic Inefficient Inadequate transport facilities Inadequate power and water supplies

In some countries, losses can exceed 50% 2008 – Ghana lost 50% of its stored maize crop Pakistan – average annual wheat loss – 3.2 million tons. In perishable fruits & vegetables. Loss rates are even higher.

International Politics Cross-border issues regularly cause serious losses to cargoes

Local Political Policies Many countries operate subsidy programmes Well intended subsidies can have unintended impacts

Developed countries Food wastage Highly developed infrastructure and transport facilities Wastage tends to be at consumer end of chain Food lost due to poor management Retailer pressure – Insurance crops Foods rejected due to “fashion”, preference and cosmetic appearance.

Inadequate Maintenance Blocked Air Vents 3,200 tons lost

Inadequate Operation Overloaded store cost entire contents – 10,000 tons

Poor specification International Food Aid shipment Failure to understand issues of shipping sealed containers from high latitudes – 6,000 tons wheat flour lost

Commercial Practices Foods are frequently rejected on the basis of cosmetic appearance

Commercial Practices One sided supply contracts Food retailers frequently have a very adversarial relationship with their suppliers. Refuse to sign standard supply contracts. Use “Supply Agreements ”. Insist on minimum prices Impose quality standards then change supplier with little or no notice. Impose retrospective price cuts Pass responsibility for maintaining supplies to farmers.

In the Home 30% of food waste is in the home

What can be done?