Five Reasons Food Science is Cooler than You Think

Thought food science is for geeks? Well it is but these geeks will be responsible for putting food on the table for more than 9.5 billion people in 2050.

World population growth is set to reach 9.5 billion by 2050 – 30 percent more than today. Two to three billion more people will join the middle class – and want to eat better. Add those two trends together, and what do you get? A doubling in global food demand. It may be the greatest challenge of our time. And climate change will just make it harder. But there's a path to feeding a hungrier world using less land to farm than we do today. Here's how:

Really Cool Science … Just Like CSI

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Plant breeders can now know every gene in a plant, whether it's corn, tomato — whatever. Using the same sophisticated DNA analysis techniques you see on top TV programs, like CSI, they can use that knowledge to identify new and better seeds to help farmers combat drought, diseases and pests.

Managing Fields by the Square Meter

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Modern agriculture is increasing food production on every acre of land and doing it more sustainably. Thanks to Big Data and mobile tools, farmers in many countries today are using real-time information on weather, soil quality and plant physiology on a nearly square meter by square meter basis. The result: They can grow more while reducing their use of fertilizer, pesticides and precious natural resources like water and farmable land. Soon we’ll freeze farming’s footprint. Then we’ll actually reduce it — and restore natural habitat.

Waste Not, Want Not

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Thirty to 40 percent of all food is wasted. We’re already making progress to reduce that staggering loss, and it will accelerate. We’ll grow crops more resistant to insect and disease damage. Advanced logistics will deliver fresher, more nutrient-rich food with amazing speed. Home cooks will focus on portion size and waste reduction. In developed nations, the trend toward fewer calories and more balanced diets — supporting health and longevity – has the opportunity to gain even more momentum.

The Microbes Are Coming

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Dollars are flooding into research on how microbes in the soil can help plants fend off disease, survive stresses and improve their nutrition and growth. “Seed probiotic” products are already here, and are expected to grow in importance.

The Production Gap Will Narrow

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American farmers produce three to five times more food per acre of land than their counterparts in the developing world. With access to better seeds and information, adoption of new technologies, improved farming practices and cultural empowerment, farmers in the developing country can start to close that gap.

Why I’m an Optimist…

After 2050, population growth is expected to flatten. Put that together with the gains we can make in agriculture, and we'll be in a better position to feed everybody – and reduce the footprint of farming around the world. A brighter future for humanity, a brighter future for our planet. We can do it, if we're smart and work together.