Course:LFS100/Food Production
Food Production
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Food production refers to the processes involved in growing, raising, cultivating, picking, harvesting, collecting or catching of food. Most of our food production occurs on farms and ranches, but some foods are caught or harvested from the wild. Needless-to-say, the modes of food production are diverse and often change drastically overtime. Such changes have direct impact on food supply levels. For example, in that last half-century, crop yields have increased due to the use of fertilizers and irrigation systems, while fisheries have declined due to over fishing; but overall, world food production has increased substantially. However, in spite of unprecedented food production levels, an estimated 1 billion people are food insecure across the globe. This reality becomes ever more disconcerting when we consider population growth trajectories and the intensifying pressures being placed on finite land and water resources. Hence the growing concern and urgency to develop food production modes that are efficient, productive, sustainable, as well as resilient to global environmental change.
Tips:
- Take a look at this Food Production Fact Sheet to explore the characteristics of various modes of food production.
- Check out this article on the growing interest and potential in producing insects as food for the future.