Humans 'will eat more in next 50 years than all-time'

 In the next 50 years the world's population will eat as much food as it has consumed over human history, a top scientist has warned.
In a world where carbon and water will have a price, it is a challenge not seen before and science will have to lead the way, CSIRO chief executive Megan Clark said.

Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra today, Dr Clark said food production was set to become one of the globe's biggest concerns over the coming decades.

"Humans have met this challenge once before - from 1960 to 2000 - the world food production doubled through a combination of new technology and investment," she said.

"But this time, two things are different.

"We can no longer simply clear more forest and farm even more marginal land.

"(And) secondly, this is happening at a time when we are seeing the greatest migration of our species to urban centres."

So it was more important than ever for science to deliver higher crop yields, more nutritious foods, and improve existing agriculture methods.

Australian scientists, already at the forefront of such research, will play a critical role, Dr Clark said.

Just last month a new breakfast cereal was launched, including a new type of barley bred by CSIRO scientists with boosted high fibre.

Dr Clark was buoyed by changes in attitude from big businesses, which has been readily committing to humanitarian causes rather than just their bottom dollar.

"Science needs to work on challenges that face all nations to secure a future for mankind," Dr Clark said.

"Only then can we secure a future for Australia."

Source: News.com.au