Week 10 - Food Production : Producing Enough Food in the Future

Question 1

Solutions for sustainability of food supply

Answer 1

1. More local production, less food transport
2. Use of GMO crops
3. Organic/sustainable agriculture
4. Shifts in food choices

Question 2

Relocalisation of food systems

Answer 2

• Industrialised agriculture is truly globalised
• Farmers markets and locally produced foods and seasonal fruits and vegetables are gaining increased prominence
• Often purchasing local made foods is more expensive than many imported goods
• Local food can be just as harmful

Question 3

Food waste

Answer 3

• In developing countries food was lost mainly due to poor storage post harvest and lack of refrigeration
• In developed countries it is mainly for the desire of perfect food, misunderstanding use by dates and cheap food

Question 4

GM foods

Answer 4

• Foods that contain novel DNA (genes) or novel proteins using gene technology
• GM whole foods such as wheat, soybeans, corn and tomatoes are not allowed in Australia
• GMO modified ingredients are allowed
• They must show on the label unless they are highly refined, in small amounts and in restaurants

Question 5

Benefits of GM foods

Answer 5

Food security
- Lower food price, more nutritious
- Reduce toxins and enhance food safety
Environment
- Improve water and soil quality
- Reduce greenhouse gases
- Reduce pesticide, herbicide use
Farmers
- Guaranteed increased crop yields
- Reduced costs and better return
Food industry
	- Enhanced ingredient availability
Consumers
- Health
- Food quality and convenience

Question 6

Risks of GM foods

Answer 6

• New allergens created
• Cross breeding
• Encourages increased use of herbicides
• May decrease biodiversity
• Concerns about ownership of genes, seeds and can’t grow crops from seeds

Question 7

Basic principles of organic farming

Answer 7

• To achieve optimum quanitites of quality produce, while enhancing the sustainability of natural agricultural resources
  Achieved by:
• Conservation of energy, soil and water
• Avoidance of pollution
• Development of soil structure
• Organically grown feed and ethical treatment practices for animals

Question 8

Organic farming practices

Answer 8

• Crop rotation
• Cover crops
• Legumes
• Green manure crops
• Animal manure
• Biological pest controls
• No artificial or synthetic chemicals
• No GMO

Question 9

Is organic farming a solution

Answer 9

• May be sufficient although 20-30% lower than non-organic
• May be particularly effective in drought conditions
• 69.8 million hectares or organic land worldwide
• Half this land is located in Australia

Question 10

Organic food and health

Answer 10

• Organic food has lower synthetic pesticide residues
• May still have organic pesticides that are not necessarily safer than conventional ones
• No major difference in nutrition
• Some evidence for increased antioxidants in organic food
• Methods to assess differences between organic and conventional is contentious

Question 11

Organic food and the food industry

Answer 11

• Sales risen dramatically over recent years
• Recent interest of large scale producers, processors and retailers
• May not have the same environmental concerns as small scale organic producers
• May be more concerned with getting a market share of the growing organic market and receiving higher price premiums
• May be interested in boosting their green credentials to improve their public image
• Highly processed organic foods

Question 12

Organic vs sustainable agriculture

Answer 12

• Integrated pest management by careful use of knowledge of insects and weeds, minimising pesticide use
• Integrated waste management of livestock- use manure for fertiliser
• Zero or reduced tillage, mulches, cover crops
• Precision agriculture - only when and where needed for water, fertiliser and pesticide

Question 13

Meat production

Answer 13

• About 30% of ice free-land involved in livestock production
• Majority of corn and soy grown is fed to animals
• About 20% of greenhouse gases due to livestock
• Meat consumption estimated to double by 2050
• Highly inefficient in terms of energy and grain
• On average need to feed 6kg of plant protein to produce 1kg of animal protein

Question 14

Vegetarian

Answer 14

• A lacto-ovo vegetarian diet of equivalent kJ would use 33% less fossil fuel energy than an average Australian diet
• Not realistic to expect everyone to become vegetarian
• Small changes in red meat consumption can make a difference
• Chicken is better than red meat

Question 15

EAT Lancet Planetary Health Diet

Answer 15

• A diet created by the EAT-Lancet commission that will be able to support a population of 10 billion
• Adherence to the diet would drive the transition toward a sustainable global food system and achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement
• Flexible diet is designed to suit most cultures
• High in fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes; low in meat and dairy

Question 16

Cultured meat

Answer 16

• Potential solution to continue red meat consumption
• Genetically identical to conventional meat
• Reduces land and water use; does not waste growth of non-edible animal products
• Can come from high quality animal families that are normally hard to produce