Food Efficiency

Food Efficiency

The effectiveness of different types of agriculture Measures the quantity of food produced In a given area With limited energy and resources

Ideal crops produce large amounts of food in very little space using very little energy………with little impact on the environment.

Food efficiency

More energy, water, and land is used to produce a Calorie of food from an animal than a plant.

Yield

Amount of crops produced per area of land

Old vs New food

Researchers are Looking for crops that grow in a variety of climates Crops that do not require fertilizer Crops that do not require pesticides Crops that do not require freshwater

World Food Problems

Some people are malnourished because They do not get enough food

More food is needed each year

Food production is not increasing as fast as the population

World Food Problem

Worldwide….food is not divided equally

Malnutrition is a result of poverty Even in the U.S.

World Food Problem

Wars and political strife cause malnutrition

Food transportations is interrupted

World Food Problem

Prolonged drought decreases crop yield

Irrigation helps with drought but not all countries have this system.

Drought affects people who have their food grown locally

Drought means no crops this year and NO SEEDS FOR NEXT YEAR

World Food Problems

Most populations can survive one drought

From food grown the previous year

Several years of drought cause severe problems

Soil becomes less able to support food crops.

Green revolution

Between 1950 and 1970 an increase in crop yield from New crop varieties Modern agriculture techniques

Green Revolution Problems

Larger yield require larger amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticide Machine irrigation systems More chemicals

This degrades the soil.

Grain production is slowly decreasing since 1990.

Green Revolution Problem

Negative impact on subsistence farmers

Before the revolution, subsistence farmers produced most of the world’s crops

Cost of new equipment, water, and chemicals