The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has forecasted the world’s demand for food will double by 2050.

The amount of arable land available will not double in the next 40 years; in fact, FAO expects that only 20% of the increased food needs will come from added farmland. FAO expects a 10% increase in production from increased cropping intensity, but the remaining 70% increase in food output will have to come from increased adoption of either existing or new agricultural technologies.

A recently released white paper titled, Technology’s Role in the 21st Century: Food Economics and Consumer Choice, expresses the position that it is up to agricultural producers to defend consumer choice.

Jeff Simmons, president, Elanco Animal Health, states a case for maintaining consumer choice in the food system in the developed world, choice of specialty products like organic meats and produce as well as safe, wholesome inexpensive alternatives.

This paper presents an argument for continuing to adopt new technologies which improve production of crops and livestock so that an ample supply of food is available to feed and fuel the world. Failing to apply these technologies would result in moving food prices out of reach for billions of the world’s poorest consumers, according to this analysis.

For more information, please visit Feed Industry Network.