New FAO publication reminds us of the finite nature of food production resources

The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture 2025 report also highlights that these essential resources are finite. Their preservation is critical to achieving global food security now and in the decades to come.

The report, with a thematic focus of “Producing More and Better,” highlights the significant, often overlooked potential of soils and water resources to support sustainable increases in food production. It presents strategies for how to produce more – and better – food for a growing population, while ensuring responsible and resilient management of land, soil and water.

An estimated 673 million people went hungry in 2024, and many regions continue to face severe and recurrent food emergencies. This pressure will increase as the world’s population approaches 9.7 billion by 2050, requiring agriculture to increase food, feed and fibre production by 50% compared to 2012, and to make 25% more freshwater available.

The main challenge: producing more with less

Over the past 60 years, global agricultural production has tripled, while the area of ​​agricultural land has grown by only 8% – at a high environmental and social cost. Today, according to FAO data, more than 60% of human-induced land degradation is affecting agricultural land.

Expanding agricultural land is no longer an option, the report stresses. For example, deforestation or the conversion of fragile ecosystems would undermine the biodiversity and ecosystem services that agriculture needs.

Solutions exist – but urgent action is needed

The FAO publication makes science-based recommendations for the sustainable use of soil and water resources.

The report says we could feed up to 10.3 billion people by 2085, when global population is expected to peak. But that depends on how food is produced – and at what environmental, social and economic costs.

Future productivity growth must therefore come from producing smarter, not simply more. This means bridging the gap between current and potential yields; diversifying by moving towards more resilient crop varieties; and use locally-tailored, resource-efficient practices that are appropriate to specific land, soil and water conditions.