Background
The world population has now reached 8 billion and this growing global population requires growing agricultural production for their food. There is an estimation that the world population needs approximately 3,050 kilocalories (kcal) of food per person per day by 2030, which is an increase from 2,800 kcal available today. This reflects a significant rise in consumption, particularly in developing countries. To meet this rocketing demand, it is estimated that around 120 million hectares (ha) of additional land should be brought under cultivation. This horizontal expansion will primarily occur in developing regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. This expansion is however expected to be slower than in previous decades due to environmental concerns and existing land use limitations.
Besides intensification of cropland use, this increase in demand for food also results in utilization of resources like minerals, water, soil and agricultural inputs along with labour and technology. Land, air, water, soil and minerals are natural inputs. Agricultural inputs may include breeding practices and agrochemicals whereas labours include skilled manpower with sufficient knowledge and skills about latest innovative technologies.
The release of large amounts of GHGs yet remain on the other hand since agriculture is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for approximately 22% of total emissions worldwide, making it the second-largest emitting sector after energy.
So, there is a challenge to produce more to feed the growing world population taking into account the aspects of sustainability and environmental balance.
Focusing on these issues the SGD 12: Responsible Consumption and Production says about how we can produce and consume sustainably and responsibly.
Some of the targets related to production are:
Target 12.1: Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns
Target 12.2: Achieve Sustainable Management and Efficient Use of Natural Resources by 2030
Target 12.4: Achieve Environmentally Sound Management of Chemicals and All Wastes Throughout Their Life Cycle by 2020
Target 12.5: Substantially Reduce Waste Generation Through Prevention, Reduction, Recycling, and Reuse by 2030
Target 12.6: Encourage Companies to Adopt Sustainable Practices
Target 12.7: Promote Sustainable Public Procurement Practices
Target 12.a: Support Developing Countries in Strengthening Scientific and Technological Capacities
Target 12.b: Develop and Implement Tools to Monitor Sustainable Development Impacts for Sustainable Growth
Target 12.c: Rationalize Inefficient Fossil-Fuel Subsidies
Some of the targets related to consumption are:
Target 12.1: Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, with developed countries taking the lead.
Target 12.3: Halve global per capita food waste by 2030.
Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycles.
Target 12.8: Ensure relevant information is available to promote sustainable development awareness.
Cereals cover the major part of the diet of humans. About 50% of the world’s population consumes rice, maize, and wheat as their main staple foods. Vegetables and fruits cover approximately 30% of the diet, followed by animal products, which account for around 20%. The per capita consumption of cereals is about 150 kg annually, which is significantly higher than other crops.
So I wonder, When we talk about sustainability and food security, why don’t we talk about cereal crops that are a major part of our food?
And the question arises: what really is sustainable farming in the case of cereal production?
Growing rice in a greenhouse as done in some European countries can be innovative and fascinating but is it really sustainable?
Responsible Production
Cereal production and consumption should be made responsible and sustainable. For this, primarily, all national, international agencies along with governments and private companies need a strong collaboration and coordination. Policy reforms should be made in geographically viable countries to increase production through coordinated global approach. Economic benefits and incentives to farmers can be a best intervention option for governments. For example, in September and October 2023, the Irish government implemented the Unharvested Crop Support Scheme in response to adverse weather conditions, which provides financial assistance of €1,000 per hectare to those farmers who were unable to harvest their cereal crops due to wet weather. Similarly, the Indian government actively intervened in the wheat market by releasing 5 million metric tons of wheat at lower reserve prices to stabilize market conditions and reduce food inflation. And, In April 2023, the Chinese government allocated approximately CNY 10 billion (USD 1.45 billion) as subsidies to grain growers. These government interventions have proved to be efficient in stabilizing prices, encouraging production and mitigating risks.
More focused scientific research should be conducted on a big scale. Globally, at present, cereals are being neglected as a subject for research. A meta-analysis done in 2023 indicates that funding for agricultural research in the area of cereal crops has seen a decline in recent years. Recent publications online reveal that there is a shift in research priorities towards more immediate concerns such as climate change adaptation and sustainable practices, and often the foundational research on staple crops like wheat, rice, and maize gets neglected. These scenarios can result in reduced cereal crops production making them more vulnerable to risks and shocks. Therefore, the volume and funding of those researches concerning cereal crops production should be increased dramatically. Breeding approaches to produce high yielding, resistant varieties, drought tolerant varieties, should be of prime concern.
Secondly, precise and Sustainable water management is essential to boost the sustainable production of cereal crops. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations said ‘the third world war would be due to water’ to warn us about the potential for water-related conflicts leading to significant geopolitical tensions. We are losing a lot of water resources, approximately 1.2 trillion cubic meters each year due to various factors, including climate change, over-extraction, and pollution. This significant loss poses serious challenges for global water security and sustainability. Innovations for water management is one of the most important components in cereal crops production for sustainability because Cereals require a significant volume of water, with rice being on the top. On average, rice needs approximately 2,500 to 5,000 litres of water per kilogram produced, depending on the cultivation practices and environmental conditions.
Furthermore, land conservation and nutrient management is also crucial. Land degradation affects vast areas across different regions, with significant hindrances for global ecosystems and food security. In Africa approximately 163 million hectares of land have been degraded since 2015, making it one of the most affected regions. Significant degradation is also observed in Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America. Globally, at least 100 million hectares of healthy land are lost each year due to various factors. Also, Cereals have a high nutrient requirement and significantly deplete soil nutrients, which poses challenges for sustainable agriculture. For example, wheat typically requires about 150-200 kg/ha of nitrogen per growing season to achieve optimal yields.
Better and precise management of agrochemicals and other agronomic practices like weeding, irrigation, harvesting etc is also essential. The extensive use of chemicals in cereal crop production poses significant challenges for sustainable agriculture. In Europe, Each hectare of cereal crops undergoes 4-6 pesticide treatments during the growing season, making it one of the largest consumers of pesticide. The high frequency of pesticide usage also raises concerns about safety and environmental health. An analysis revealed that approximately 37% of cereal samples tested across the EU contained residues from 65 different pesticides, with wheat products showing nearly 90% contamination rates. Additionally, the consumption of chemical fertilizers has significantly increased, with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅), and potassium (K₂O) fertilizer use rising by 9.45-fold, 4-fold, and 4.34-fold, respectively, from 1961 to 2019.
To address these issues, improved management practices, such as integrated pest management, enhanced nutrient use efficiency, integrated nutrient management, use of organic solutions, microbiome and synthetic community and integrated water management are crucial to minimize environmental impacts while ensuring food security. It can also be accompanied by the use of precision technology (sensors, computers, detectors, IoT, DSS and AI). A collective initiative from all stakeholders can only ensure the technological richness in agriculture, mainly cereal crops production.
Finally, the labour force needs to be equipped with up to date technological innovations and a practical knowledge of how to operate them and manage production processes. Mainly low income countries like south and Central Asian countries, African countries and some South American countries, where cereals can be grown in advantage, lack these technologies and technically skilled manpower. They also face a crisis of workforce migrating abroad, mainly skilled and semi-skilled manpower. The skilled manpower migrate to countries like USA, Australia, Canada and some European countries in search of better education and a better future, but they don’t intend to go back to their own country. In a survey done by the Australian Government’s Department of Education in 2024, it was observed that students who come to Australia for higher education often stay there permanently and never return to their countries. This huge brain drain especially of skilled manpower has cost these countries potential to lead in global food security.
These were the aspects of responsible production. Now, let us talk about some aspects of responsible consumption. Responsible consumption is essential for reaching SDG 12 since it has a direct impact on resource use, environmental sustainability, and social fairness. Societies may lessen their environmental impact, increase economic stability, and enhance quality of life by encouraging responsible consumer behaviour.
Responsible Consumption
The consumer is also responsible for achieving food security and sustainability. Around one-third of produced food is lost annually globally, and out of this, approximately 60% of food loss occurs from the consumer’s side, primarily at the household level. This significant waste highlights the need for improved food management practices to mitigate losses and enhance food security. According to a report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), food loss and waste costs the global economy approximately $1 trillion annually. This staggering figure highlights the financial burden of wasted food on both economies and the environment. It is also found in a research that consumers tend to throw away cheap food compared to expensive food. And, cereals being cheap and available in large quantities may have the chance to be lost more. According to data, the food that was lost could have fed about 1 billion people every year. This figure demonstrates the enormous potential for lowering food loss and waste in order to lessen world hunger and enhance food security. The consumers can follow strategies like creating a meal plan, storing correctly, saving leftovers, using food waste apps, participating in food redistribution and buying ugly food to minimize food loss and waste in order to consume responsibly.
The consumers should also be responsible for what he consumes. Responsible consumption not only means “how much to consume?” to minimise loss but also means “what to consume?” Consumers should be responsible about what they are eating.
They need to be informed about the nutritional value and safety of the foods they choose. This includes knowing the health implications of various food products, such as the differences between processed and whole foods, and recognizing the importance of a balanced diet and understanding the nutritional composition of food. The consumer needs to check whether he is consuming safe food or not. They need to verify the safety and traceability of food that they consume, which involves checking labels for certifications, understanding sourcing practices, and being aware of potential contaminants. Customers must have access to knowledge on sustainable methods, healthy eating habits, and how their food choices affect the environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a growing demand for food due to the expanding global population which presents a lot of opportunities and challenges for guaranteeing food security and sustainability. The cereal crops, which form the foundation of the human diet, are essential to supplying these needs. But issues like water scarcity, soil erosion, overuse of agrochemicals, and climate change make it difficult to produce them sustainably. A multifaceted strategy combining technical innovation, sustainable agriculture methods, and successful policy reforms is needed to address these issues. Sustainable cereal production must primarily take into account the efficient management of resources, particularly water and land, while also taking actions to minimize environmental impacts through the adoption of management practices like integrated pest management, precision agriculture, and organic practices. Additionally, investment in scientific research must be increased. Another factor equally important is the need to fortify the labour force with the skills and knowledge necessary to adopt these innovations, especially in regions where agriculture is the primary occupation. On the other hand, responsible consumption is equally important in achieving food security. Reducing food waste, particularly at the consumer level, and promoting awareness about the environmental and economic costs of food loss and waste are the fundamental steps towards achieving sustainability. Consumers must also be responsible for their food choices by considering aspects like food safety, traceability, and supporting sustainable production practices.
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