Salinas Valley And The Future Of Farming

Traditional agriculture may be on the decline, but Salinas is providing a look at things to come.

- Alex Moersen

By the year 2050, it is projected that the world’s population will hit 9.1 billion, 34 percent higher than today. According to a Food and Agriculture Organization report, food production will need to increase by 70 percent to support these numbers. Population growth doesn’t just mean more people; it also means less land. Adding to this food production problem is a U.S. farm labor shortage – a result of an aging workforce combined with a decrease in immigrant workers. This has led to slower (and more expensive) production. Given all these factors, things are not looking good if the world wants to feed 9.1 billion in the next 30 years.