1061. Climate Change and Population Growth: The Need for Resilient and Diverse Crops in African Agriculture 

On July 11, the day the 2024 World Population Estimates were released, the Voice of America blog — a national broadcaster run by the U.S. government — emphasized the need for agricultural transformation that incorporates resilient and diverse crops, especially in Africa, as climate change and population growth threaten global food security.

The world's population is projected to continue growing over the next 60 years, from 8.2 billion today to 10.3 billion by the 2080s, with most of the growth expected in Africa, where fertility rates remain high.

In Africa, climate change is raising concerns about food security, while population growth is making farmland per capita smaller and smaller. Under such circumstances, improving productivity per hectare of farmland has become an urgent issue. To address this challenge, it is necessary to build an agricultural system that incorporates varieties and diverse crops that can be produced even during droughts. Additionally, continuous intensification through scientific and technological advancements and adaptation to unpredictable abnormal weather conditions will be crucial for enhancing yields.

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki, Information Program