Food Production Possibilities — A Threats and the Requisite Steps

Abstract

In examining food production possibilities in the world and in the Republic of Croatia, the authors chose firstly to determine the status of the fundamental food production resource, namely, arable land. Thereafter they drew a comparison between the data obtained and demographic indicators and came to the realization that, although food production until now has kept pace with population growth, unless a change in our behaviour occurs, hunger will become more widespread in the very near future. Namely, there is an increasing scarcity of arable land in the world , and unless science makes a new breakthrough in terms of protecting arable land from devastation, one cannot expect an increase in food production. Also, the reported depletion of crude oil resources (as crude oil is fundamental in modern agriculture) makes the situation even more difficult. Some of the consequences are already evident, such as rising food prices and the land grabs phenomenon. The poorest in the world are also the most vulnerable. This is becoming an increasingly important economic and ethical issue. The article makes references to the theory of T. R. Malthus and, by way of conclusion, endeavours to offer a moral response.