The world population has surpassed 8 billion people, putting pressure on the seed industry in terms of production growth and soil pollution reduction | Agriculture News | 12 am bangla
On November 15, 2022, the world’s population reached 8 billion. With those new babies, the families must have felt proud and happy. But global leaders are worried; crossing this milestone is certainly not welcome. It is going to add more complexity to various burning issues. In particular, food shortages and environmental degradation are the main concerns here. These two issues are inversely proportional; one’s resolution triggers another’s uprising.
The solution to the food shortage issue is simple: it requires more food production. Following this, the solution dramatically increases the pressure on the seed industry, as increasing food production means increasing demand for seeds in the agriculture, beverage, livestock, and biofuel industries. A recent publication of “Markets & Markets” showed that the seed industry is going to score USD 86.8 billion within 2026. This rapid expansion is forcing the producers to accommodate some not-very-environment-friendly approaches.
● Producers are using more fertilizers, pesticides, etc. to meet the increased need for seeds as well as crops. So, directly sourced soil pollution is increasing.
● Due to repeated farming without any break, agricultural lands are losing their natural fertility. And, to minimize this gap, farmers are using more and more artificial fertilizers, causing massive harm to the surrounding environment.
● Most importantly, to meet the higher degree of seed demand, deforestation gets a boost, triggering indirectly sourced soil pollution.
Simply put, an increase in seed and crop production will definitely raise soil contamination, which will then slowly affect the air and water as well. This context is not only threatening the future of cultivation but also forcing people to compromise on nutrition and food value.
To restrict these harmful consequences, a one-way road is open: a reduction in crop and seed production. And nobody dares to take this initiative. It is also illogical. So, what is the solution? How people will get food if the soil becomes totally unproductive?
So far, experts have come up with some solutions that are hypothetical and will require tons of future research.
● The very first solution is the mass adaptation of Singapore’s gardening practice. If people produce their own vegetables and fruits on their roofs and balconies, it will reduce the pressure on field farming. This urban farming strategy has already been proven effective in several US cities, like Detroit, Portland, Austin, Boston, etc.
● Again, experts are also encouraging people to import changes in their food habits. They are suggesting to go for nutrient value, not for bigger portioning. In this way, the pressure on food production will be diminished, and people will not face any nutrition-related issues.
● Third strategy may sound like a hot-pick from science fiction movies. Experts are highly motivated to market pills that would not affect human health but would satisfy human hunger. Many say scientists in space use this kind of pill on a regular basis as part of their diet plan.
So far, these three solutions are still based on theory. These might be effective for a few million people in a community or country. Will these be effective for 8 billion people? The answer remains with the passage of time.
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