The demand for food is increasing exponentially as the world’s population reaches nine billion while incomes are also increasing.
Now people want more protein, better nutrition and better products, Futurity chief executive Jack Bobo says.
“All of that means we’re not just going to need 30% more food but we’ll need 60% to as much as 100% more food in many places.”
He is optimistic scientific and technological advances in agriculture can cut the industry’s negative impacts.
Futurity consults food developers with insights in food technology, consumer attitudes and consumer trends.
The businesses it works with are enhancing the healthiness and sustainability of the global food system, supporting the future of food.
“We need to produce all of that new food using the same amount of land or less, the same amount of water or less. We need to do everything better tomorrow than we’re doing it today. But our rivers and lakes are already running dry and so it’s a huge challenge.
“The only way we will ever be able to do it is to have science and technology help us to solve these problems. We need to get to 2050 without screwing up the planet and sustainably feed those nine billion people.”
Though, as Bobo points out, as food shoppers and consumers we have become disconnected from the origins of what we are eating and feeding our families.
“If you go back 200 years pretty much everybody was a farmer or engaged in farming or knew a farmer and today it’s 1% of the population is involved in farming and most of us, it’s a very distant activity.”
“It’s not really surprising that people are less aware of what goes into our food system today.”
In Kentucky in May 2018 Bobo presented his ideas at Alltech’s One Ideas conference. The following year at One, Alltech launched a new concept, the Planet of Plenty.
President and chief executive Dr Mark Lyons says “A Planet of Plenty in which there is enough nutritious food for all, the world’s resources are responsibly managed for future generations and the environment is safe for people, animals and plants to thrive in harmony.
“A Planet of Plenty propels us into a new world of possibility where anyone and everyone can make a positive impact on the planet.”
This will be the focus of Alltech’s sustainability efforts and agriculture technology advancements.
Alltech is developing a website that will host stories about farmers, companies and organisations around the world that are already putting those efforts into action.
Stories can be shared on the Planet of Plenty website or on social media with the hashtag #PlanetofPlenty.
Alltech will also be recognising farmers, students, entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits and communities putting the power of agriculture to work to create a Planet of Plenty.
Lyons is excited for what lies ahead.
“To create a more abundant world we must collaborate across industries and geographies and discover, test and apply new ideas,” Lyons said.
“Our personal journeys will be unique and diverse but if we work together our destination can be the same: a Planet of Plenty in which there is enough nutritious food for all, the world’s resources are responsibly managed for future generations and the environment is safe for people, animals and plants to thrive in harmony.”
