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RSS & PodcastsFeeding a growing global population – a central challenge
The United Nations estimates that, in the mid-21st century, more than nine billion people will be living on our planet, about 2.3 billion more than today. At the same time, the amount of available areas of arable land will, in relative terms, decreases further: If, in 1970, 0.38 hectares of agricultural land were available per head there will only be 0.18 hectares available in 2050. The most recent estimates indicate that agricultural production will have to increase by 70 % by 2050 in order to feed mankind. The rising demand for food can be met by the world if productivity is increased for the existing agricultural land and the total amount of land for cultivation is expanded. However, in many parts of the world there are no notable reserves of land. What remains as a realistic option is to increase productivity on existing agricultural land through advanced cultivation methods, a balanced application of mineral fertilizers and resistant plants.
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However, supplying the population of the world with food is not just a quantitative but increasingly a qualitative challenge too. While the ratio of meat to cereals consumption in Western Europe as well as in North America and Latin America over the past 30 years has essentially remained the same, meat consumption in Asia has more than trebled. |
Although consumption per capita remains lower than in western countries, the influence on agriculture has been considerable. Increases in animal husbandry require increased production of grain and fodder, and that entails making greater use of fertilizers.
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Sustainable agriculture must ensure that soil fertility is retained or improved by returning to the soil the important nutrients that are removed as a result of harvesting. K+S is currently running about 200 field tests all over the world. They attest to the particular importance of "balanced fertilization," which entails ensuring that all important nutrients are mixed together in the right proportions when fertilizers are applied. |
What matters in this respect is not only the absolute quantity of the fertilizers applied but that the nutrients which are being supplied are accepted by plants and can be translated into yields and quality.
By means of intelligent, sustainable fertilizer systems, K+S supports its customers with professional and scientifically-based advice that extends all the way to end applications. In addition to the results of field tests, tailor-made fertilizer recommendations are also based on the targeted research activities conducted at the Limburgerhof agricultural centre. K+S is constantly working on the development of new products and nutrient combinations that meet the needs of individual crops even better and satisfy our customers’ requirements in terms of top-quality products. We support more efficient and more sustainable agriculture combined with careful treatment of the environment at the same time.
