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When too much isn't enough: Does current food production meet global nutritional needs?
Krishna Bahadur Kc1, Goretty M Dias2, Anastasia Veeramani2
1Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada.
Plos One
|October 24, 2018
Summary
Global food production is unbalanced, overproducing grains and fats while underproducing fruits, vegetables, and protein. Shifting to plant-based diets and increasing fruit/vegetable production can enhance nutrition and sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Nutritional Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Feeding the global population sustainably is a critical 21st-century challenge.
- Current strategies focus on increasing production, technological innovation, dietary shifts, and waste reduction.
- The nutritional balance of global food production remains largely unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the nutritional balance of global food production.
- To compare current agricultural output with recommended dietary intake.
- To evaluate the environmental implications of rebalancing food production.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of global agricultural production statistics with recommended nutritional guidelines.
- Analysis of land use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with dietary shifts.
Main Results:
- Global agriculture overproduces grains, fats, and sugars.
- Production of fruits, vegetables, and protein is insufficient for current population needs.
- Rebalancing production could reduce arable land use but increase total agricultural land and emissions.
Conclusions:
- A nutritionally balanced diet for a growing population requires increased fruit, vegetable, and plant-based protein production and consumption.
- This dietary transition can conserve land and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Such shifts are crucial for protecting habitats and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
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