Australia could double the number of people it feeds by 2061, contends this article in The Conversation, if we integrate three broad strategies:
- Increase food productivity. Aiming for 2% per annum growth in food production by increasing investment in agrifood-related R&D.
- Reduce food waste. Currently, around 30% of the food we produce is wasted. Reducing this amount will benefit the environment and the economy but will requires improvements in supply-chain efficiency, marketing and consumer education.
- Change our eating patterns. Moving towards more sustainable diets has public health and environment benefits. Eating less – especially less meat and junk food – while consuming more fresh fruit and veg would lower obesity rates and reduce land degradation and harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
‘The next few decades will present unprecedented challenges and opportunities for the Australian food sector. Placing the consumer at the centre of healthy, sustainable and ethical food systems will be increasingly important,’ states the article.
‘It’s easy to conclude that Australia can feed many more people than we currently do, but the real issue is to do this while ensuring our food system is healthy, sustainable and fair. Ultimately, exporting the research, technology and education that underpin our future food system will benefit far more people than those directly consuming food produced in Australia.’