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Author: Peter Batt
Source: The Conversation
Date: 21 December, 2011

There is no doubt that the greatest challenge currently facing agriculture is our capacity to feed an anticipated population of 9 billion by 2050.

Not only is there an increasing demand for food, but the form in which food is consumed today places additional constraints upon the system. With increasing income and greater urbanisation, diets are including more meat, dairy products and oils. In order to meet the increased demand, the FAO estimates that by 2050, food production will have to double.

This will be made all the more difficult by increased urbanisation, which places increasing pressure on the availability of arable farm land and water. Rising energy costs and the increasing demand for renewable energy could see more farmland allocated to the production of biofuels.

Agriculture doesn’t just have to contend with a steady decline in a rate of productivity growth. It now faces the increasingly unpredictable impact of climate change.

Within the Asia-Pacific region, Australia is expected to play a major role as a reliable supplier of good quality food. However, in order to take full advantage of these opportunities, industry must first address some key challenges domestically.

Australia is one of the oldest and driest continents on earth. After more than 150 years of intensive agriculture, much of the landscape is affected by salinity. The Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities estimates that by 2050 17 million hectares will be threatened.

The development of commercial tree production systems, improved farming practices and the adoption of new crops offers some potential to ameliorate affected land. However, in other instances, more drastic measures may need to be implemented.

Climate change is and will continue to have a significant impact on Australian agriculture. Changing rainfall patterns, warmer temperatures and an increase in the frequency and severity of adverse weather events mean some adjustments within the industry seem inevitable.

Read full article in The Conversation