Opinion
Feeding the world
FoodBev Media Chairman Richard Hall is attending The Economist Feeding the World conference today, which is asking ‘the 9 billion people question’.
By 2050, the global population will surpass 9 billion people.
Graziano da Silva, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation:
1 billion under-nourished, 1 billion overweight
We waste one third of food produced, reduced waste would feed 500 million.
David Nabarro, UN Special Representative:
It’s not just about production, it’s also about nutrition.
Cereals have many production incentives. More are needed for fruit and vegetables.
What do you put first? Enough to eat? Or the right stuff to eat? The right stuff is particularly important for the young. Traditional diets are some of the best. There is enough energy in the world today.
Howarth Bouis, director, HarvestPlus:
It’s not about famine, it’s about dietary quality — vitamins and minerals to the poor. Agriculture is not yet part of the toolbox but needs to be.
Nutrient content needs to be the new priority.
Patrick Webb, dean, Tufts University:
There’s a complete disconnect between dietary guidelines and agricultural production.
Paul Bulcke, chief executive officer, Nestlé:
We’re going to run out of water faster than we’re going to run out of fuel.
41% of corn is now used for biofuels. That’s enough to feed 370 million. We say no food for fuel.
Smallholder farmers are vital. We have organised milk districts in 30 countries. In Pakistan, 100,000 deliver milk to one factory.
Andrea Illy, chairman and CEO, illycaffe
25 million families involved in coffee, $105 billion roasted coffee market, $26 billion coffee production value.
We had to create our own responsible supply chain scheme, because there is no global sustainability standard.
The Economist Feeding the World conference
With food now at the very top of the global agenda, The Economist Feeding the World conference in Geneva sees 180 senior executives from 25 countries discussing that by 2050, the global population will surpass 9 billion people. At the same time, the world’s agricultural systems will be increasingly challenged by water scarcity, climate change and volatility, raising the risk of production shortfalls.
About the author
Richard Hall is chairman of Zenith International.
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