Is the World Ready to Feed 10 Billion People?

The global population is projected to hit 10 billion by 2050. While that year may sound like it’s in the distant future for some, this population growth is a pressing issue on the minds of many people across industries and borders. From government agencies to manufacturing companies like TYM, whose agricultural machinery is an integral part of the food production process.

World Resources Institute’s (WRI) extensive report on creating a sustainable food future challenges both producers and consumers to consider how their efforts will impact future society. According to WRI research, the world will have to close a gap of a staggering 56% between the amount of food available today and that required by 2050. Can we sustainably feed 2.2 billion more mouths in the next two decades? How do we feed 10 billion people without taking up more land while lowering emissions? 

We’ve rounded up top takeaways from the report as it relates to the farming industry. Here are the actions experts recommend now to ensure that we sustain and improve croplands, and our picks for the TYM tractors that are cut out for the job.

Reduce food loss and waste
Did you know that about 25% of all food produced for human consumption goes uneaten? Loss and waste occur all along the food supply chain, but those at the production, handling, and storage levels can make a difference. To reduce food waste, farmers can measure waste and set reduction targets. Compact utility tractors like the TYM T754, with speeds as low as 0.1 mph, are effective in applications that require intense and exacting work with fewer passes and losses.

Improve soil and water management
Regenerating degraded soil can help a quarter of the world’s cropland become sustainable land. Farmers can boost crop yields in degraded soils by improving soil and water management practices. WRI suggests solutions such as rainwater harvesting and agroforestry to rebuild soil health. For planting trees alongside crops, backhoes like the TYM BY85 are an indispensable attachment for your compact tractor.

Plant existing cropland
Planting and harvesting existing croplands more frequently may become the new norm to sustainably feed a growing population. Farmers can boost food production without expanding into new land by reducing fallow land or by increasing “double cropping” wherever possible. This is the perfect task for a utility tractor like the TYM T1104 that’s built to maximize the productivity of both the tractor and the operator.

Improve crop breeding
Historically, conventional breeding accounted for around half of crop yield gains. Now, this technology is essential to keep up with demand, and new advances in molecular biology make it possible. Increasing budgets and grants for crop-breeding will make additional yield growth possible at a lower cost and a faster rate.

Adapt to climate change
Humans are creatures of habit, but we can also evolve and adapt. Without adaptation to climate change, global crop yields will likely decline by at least 5 percent by 2050. For those in farming, adaptation may mean stepping foot in unfamiliar territory such as breeding crops to withstand higher temperatures, establishing advanced water conservation systems, and possibly implementing an overhaul of current production systems.

Our collective role in this future
Lastly, it goes without saying that population growth and climate change not only affect lives but the very livelihoods of farmers. As the farming community continues to grapple with sobering projections, we challenge you to consider taking small steps on your own land and within your own community to do your part in creating a promising future for the world.

For more information on TYM tractors, see our utility tractors built to maximize your productivity and the attachments that help you do more with your tractor. To read more about TYM's commitment to sustainable growth, read our announcement on the future of ESG management.