Global demand for major grains, such as maize, rice, and wheat, is projected to increase by nearly 48 percent from 2000-2025 and by 70 percent between 2000 and 2050, according to research presented by Mark Rosegrant at the Ag Innovation Showcase held in St. Louis, Missouri from May 23-24.
In his Ag Economic Forum Keynote presentation, he said that per capita meat consumption will also increase in many developing regions of the world and it will more than double in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000-2050, leading to a doubling of total meat consumption by 2050. At the same time, he revealed that the growth in production of staple foods is expected to decline significantly in most of the world if business continues as usual.
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“Climate change, high and volatile food and energy prices, population and income growth, changing diets, and increased urbanization will put intense pressure on land and water and challenge global food security as never before,” said Rosegrant. “If agricultural production and policymaking continues down its present course, there could be severe consequences for many poor people in developing countries.”
Regarded as the leading agribusiness industry event, the Ag Innovation Showcase focuses on agriculture’s potential to solve long-term food production and security and environmental and energy challenges. It is held at the Danforth Plant Science Center, the world’s largest independent plant science research institute.
