Agricultural Challenges

The World production of major cereal grains (rice, wheat, sorghum [jowar] and corn) has risen steadily each decade since 1960, but when you examine per capita global production of the same grains, only corn is on the rise because of its hybrid production. Dr. Jerry Bigham of The Ohio State University shared eye-opening population numbers for India and China, home to one-third of the world’s population. India’s projected population, is heavily inclined in the age groups of 0 to 14, is expected to increase 31% between 2000 and 2025. Statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations predicts the world’s population will increase from 6.8 billion people in 2010 to 8.9 billion people by 2050 almost one third greater than today. They reported that escalating food prices led to riots in 30 different countries during 2008. Also the patterns reveal that food prices worldwide have doubled since 2006. Countries will face major challenge as the land available for agriculture will be constantly falling. With more population entering in this sector and the family held lands will be divided more and more amongst the successor. Hence, the land available for cultivation will fall resulting in the total produce to reduce.
The financial crisis may have disrupted the ability of agricultural producers and agribusinesses to access capital, and the looming recession will reduce demand for many agricultural goods. The financial crisis and recession could create an agricultural business environment that discourages decision makers from looking ahead to meet the 30-year challenge. In this situation, decisions about management practices, investment and research to align public and private activities are likely to focus on short-term profitability and rising capital costs rather than long-run objectives relating to food security, energy security, natural resources, climate change, and economic development.

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