Global Food Supplies: Slow Increases vs. a Single Breakthrough

Increasing population, rapid urbanization and a growing middle class in developing nations all point to an increase in food demand and hence rising food costs. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that the global production of staple grains will need to increase by 70 percent by 2050, and that the bulk of this increase needs to occur in developing nations. Crop yields are likely to be the focus for future improvements, since less land will be available for planting. A single giant leap in production, however, may not be necessary to meet growing demand. Yield increases are likely to continue as they have in the past as a combination of breeding efforts and technological advances produce a slow increase in yields alongside gradually growing demand.