The world will face a huge food crisis in the next three decades if production grows at present rate, says the fifth report of US-based The Global Harvest Initiative (GHI). India would be able to meet only 59 per cent of its total food demand by 2030, according to the current trend.
GHI released the Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report) at the World Food Prize Symposium on November 6. Every year, the report measures the current rate of agricultural productivity against growing global population and their food demand.
Sub-Saharan Africa will face huge challenges by 2030, with countries being unable to meet nearly 85 per cent of the demand for food. The report projects that these countries will require significant imports, food assistance or opening up of new land to development which may not be suitable for sustainable production.
The report claims that meeting the rising demand for food requires private investment and innovation in agriculture.
It states that the global rate of growth in productivity is beginning to stagnate and calls for investment in 'proven' strategies that boost productivity and conserve the natural resource base.