It’s clear that world populations are growing. It is expected to grow to 9.7billion people in 2050. This is more than two billion more than today.1 But the world’s agricultural land isn’t growing as fast as we do. This poses some serious challenges for farmers who must produce enough food of high-quality to feed Canadians and the rest of the world.
Canada is the fifth largest exporter of food products across the world.2 Canadian farmers will be vital in providing food to the growing population. They’ll need to be able to meet the growing demands.
Farmers will need 70 percent more food production by 2050 to keep up with the increasing number of people. グリホサート *Source How to Food the World in 2050, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. How to provide for the whole world by 2050
Farmers aren’t equipped to deal with this rising demand. The latest technology and tools including herbicides, such as glyphosate can be utilized to assist farmers to effectively and effectively manage weeds which results in an increased security and sustainability of food supply.
What is glyphosate exactly?
Glyphosate, a versatile and non-selective herbicide, has been utilized by land managers, gardeners and farmers all over the world for more than 40 years. It works by blocking the enzyme that plants (in this instance, weeds that are not wanted) require to grow. These enzymes do not exist in animals or humans.4 Glyphosate doesn’t pose any danger to plants when it is used in a safe manner.
Glyphosate can be used for many other purposes beyond agriculture. グリホサート It is used in municipalities to guard the public and wildlife against poisonous weeds.6 In addition, it is used to stop the spread of fire and to maintain visibility on railway tracks.
Recently, there’s been increased attention to the use of glyphosate in our everyday lives. Although it’s essential to know the ingredients in our food items, it’s worth noting that more than 160 health regulatory bodies around the world including Health Canada, agree that the safe use of glyphosate for humans is feasible if it’s properly done.
Canadians must be able to know what glyphosate is and how it is utilized and the effects it has on food production.
グリホサート What is the reason to use glyphosate for agriculture?
Glyphosate based herbicides have many benefits for farmers, customers and the environment. This is crucial for efficient weed control, secure food supply, and environmental sustainability. Let’s examine each benefit in greater detail.
Globally, farmers are losing between 30-40% to 40 percent of their crops due to pests, diseases, and weeds.9 According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) this losses could double if crop protection techniques aren’t employed. This is especially devastating for farmers as the crops they grow are their main source of income.
Farmers have come to rely upon tools that they can trust every year. グリホサート Glyphosate is an effective way to control destructive weeds in fields, especially those that are resistant to glyphosate.
Crops vs. weeds – the fight of their life
Glyphosate provides a fighting chance for the crops.
Canadians and global consumers benefit from the abundance of and affordable food
This is leading to a greater risk of food insecurity. Canadians will pay 55% less for food items if there aren’t any technological advances in agriculture, such as the use of glyphosate.11
In addition food items that we adore will become more difficult to obtain. Farmers will be able grow more of the food staples we love for many years because of the advances in research in plant science.
Glyphosate is a great herbicide to help control the weeds and ensure that produce is affordable at the market. Glyphosate can also assist farmers to take care of what Cherilyn Jolli-Nagle Saskatchewan farmer, describes as “their most valuable asset” the land they own.
Make sure we have the foods we love on our table
The growth of farmers is enhanced with the help of crops protection devices (including the glyphosate) are used to protect crops from diseases or pests.
42% more grains, including wheat and corn
72 percent more fruit
83 percent more vegetables and potatoes12
The benefits of glyphosate are evident. But is glyphosate safe to use?
It is crucial to remember that all pesticides need to be applied in accordance with instructions on the label. In Canada, glyphosate use is regulated by both the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which inspects crops for residues of pesticides to ensure that the use of the pesticide is done correctly and also the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), which provides the regulatory guidelines for product submission evaluations, as well as approvals (or rejections)–and is one of the most intensive evaluation processes throughout the world.14
Regulators make sure that farmers are using approved herbicides in a secure and responsible method. But, it’s up to farmers and manufacturers to make sure that there aren’t unintended consequences for the environment, animals, and even humans.
グリホサート Additionally, precision agriculture has enabled farmers to utilize data and increase their ability to apply glyphosate to exact areas and quantities.
In the case of pesticide residues, it’s very rare for glyphosate residue to be found in food and, at limits detected and deemed to be harmful, it can cause harm. CFIA ensures that farmers are using herbicides correctly and following the established limits of residue16. It is very rare to detect glyphosate in food products at a low level that are well beneath the Canadian Government’s limit.17 As it would not cause any harm to humans or animals18.
Sustainable farming practices also include the use of Glyphosate
Farmers employ herbicides, including Glyphosate, as part an integrated pest and weed management system. This means they employ more than herbicides to control the weeds. グリホサート Glyphosate has allowed them to adopt conservation tillage / no-till practices that have long-term benefits to the soil, air, and our surroundings as a whole, including:
– The reduction or elimination plowing/tilling land
Reduced CO2 emissions
– Capturing carbon within the soil
– Improving soils health
– Reducing water flow and limiting erosion13
“No pesticide regulatory authority anywhere in the world considers that glyphosate poses a danger to human health at the current levels.” – Health Canada (January 11, 2019).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations How to provide for the world’s population by 2050
It is more crucial than ever to ensure that Canadian farmers are equipped with the technology tools, equipment and assistance they need to provide for a growing number of people.
If they follow the best agricultural, pest control and food safety procedures, farmers will continue to ensure our food supply is healthy and plentiful. Glyphosate is just one of the methods they use to ensure that Canadians and everyone else around the world have access and affordability to healthy and affordable food.