Global food production must increase by 70% by 2050 if it is to meet the needs of the growing world population, the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has suggested.

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Speaking at the opening of t two-day High-Level Expert Forum, called How to Feed the World in 2050, FAO director general Jacques Diouf said that agricultural production would have to increase production at the same time as adapting to the challenges presented by climate change.


“The combined effect of population growth, strong income growth and urbanization … is expected to result in almost the doubling of demand for food, feed and fibre,” he said.


According to Diouf, production increases will need to come primarily from yield growth and improved cropping intensity, rather than farming more land.


He also noted that “while organic agriculture contributes to hunger and poverty reduction and should be promoted, it cannot by itself feed the rapidly growing population.”

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In addition to a growing scarcity of natural resources such as land, water and biodiversity “global agriculture will have to cope with the effects of climate change, notably higher temperatures, greater rainfall variability and more frequent extreme weather events such as floods and droughts,” Diouf warned.


Climate change is expected to reduce water availability and lead to an increase in plant and animal pests and diseases. According to FAO figures, the combined effects of climate change could reduce agricultural output by up to 30% in Africa and 21% in Asia.


“The challenge is not only to increase global future production but to increase it where it is mostly needed and by those who need it most,” he stressed. “There should be a special focus on smallholder farmers, women and rural households and their access to land, water and high quality seeds… and other modern inputs.”