Final answer:
Agricultural biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms, precision agriculture, and biofortification, is an essential approach to meeting global food demand sustainably while addressing challenges like environmental impact and the inefficient use of crops for livestock.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biotechnology is a key tool used by agricultural industries to meet global food demand. A variety of techniques fall under this umbrella and include genetically modified organisms (GMOs), precision agriculture, and biofortification. GMOs, in particular, are designed to produce crops that are resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, ultimately leading to higher yields. Precision agriculture leverages data and technology to make farming more accurate and controlled. Biofortification enhances the nutritional quality of food crops. These methods contribute to the sustainability and efficiency of food production systems.
The demand for food is climbing alongside a growing global population and shifting dietary preferences toward higher quality foods, including meat. As such, the agricultural industry is compelled to innovate continuously to produce food that is nutritionally adequate, environmentally sound, and economically affordable. The challenge is to increase productivity without exacerbating environmental degradation or the conversion of natural habitats into farmland, which could threaten biodiversity.
2017 studies have indicated that current practices of feeding human-edible crops to livestock are inefficient in delivering calories and protein to the human population. Switching these practices and optimizing crop yields through biotechnological processes could significantly contribute to global food security in a sustainable manner, without compromising economic viability or environmental health.