Scientists warn, to meet the demand, more and more agricultural land will be opened. In addition, increased use of nitrogen and carbon dioxide emissions in the end as well as other greenhouse gases would be soaring. All activities that could threaten the atmosphere and cause the extinction of various species.
"Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture could double by 2050 if current trends in global food production is continuing," said David Tilman, a study researcher from the University of Minnesota: "It would be a big problem because agriculture is responsible for one third of global greenhouse gas emissions."
That approach proved more effective than extensive agriculture which is currently applied by many poor countries. The method requires the opening of more land to produce food higher.
Differences farming methods produce very different yields as well. Researchers found that, in 2005, yields affluent countries 300 percent higher than what produced the poorest countries.
According to their analysis of the effects of extensive agriculture, if poor countries continue to use this method, in 2050 they will open farmland that is much broader than the United States, about 1 billion hectares. If the rich countries help poor countries to increase yields by introducing intensive agricultural practices, the figure would be reduced to 200 million hectares.
"Our analysis shows that we can save the world's remaining ecosystems by helping poor countries meet their own food needs," said Tilman. *** [LIVESCIENCE | KORAN TEMPO 3720]
