Food self-sufficiency across scales: how local can we go?

Environ Sci Technol. 2014 Aug 19;48(16):9463-70. doi: 10.1021/es5005939. Epub 2014 Aug 7.

Abstract

This study explores the potential for regions to shift to a local food supply using food self-sufficiency (FSS) as an indicator. We considered a region food self-sufficient when its total calorie production is enough to meet its demand. For future scenarios, we considered population growth, dietary changes, improved feed conversion efficiency, climate change, and crop yield increments. Starting at the 5' resolution, we investigated FSS from the lowest administrative levels to continents. Globally, about 1.9 billion people are self-sufficient within their 5' grid, while about 1 billion people from Asia and Africa require cross-continental agricultural trade in 2000. By closing yield gaps, these regions can achieve FSS, which also reduces international trade and increases a self-sufficient population in a 5' grid to 2.9 billion. The number of people depending on international trade will vary between 1.5 and 6 billion by 2050. Climate change may increase the need for international agricultural trade by 4% to 16%.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Agriculture* / statistics & numerical data
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Asia
  • Climate Change
  • Crops, Agricultural*
  • Food Supply* / statistics & numerical data
  • Forecasting
  • Population Growth