Agriculture's 6 Fs and the need for more intensive agriculture

Abstract

The discussion about the functions of agriculture needs to be broadened beyond the Food-Fuel-Fibre discussion. The '6F' framework has been proposed that incorporates most - if not all - functions of agriculture: Food, Feed, Fuel, Fibre, Flower, and Fun. In an increasingly resource restricted world, agriculture is confronted with an increased demand for each of the 6 Fs. Climate change will increase the 'natural' stress on production in regions that are already less favourable, while population density and civil pressure will increase 'human' stress on production in regions that are well suited for agriculture. Data on water availability, water stress and natural production capacity of different world regions clearly show that (1) many regions rely on irrigation for large parts of their food production (and agricultural production in general); (2) most of those regions experience (or will soon experience) water stress; and (3) the water stress indicators of other regions (e.g. Europe) are equally high, although water seems abundant there. Historically, the largest populations have grown where food production was easiest. For example the coastal areas of the US, Western Europe and Eastern Parts of China are areas with much arable land and large populations. This has resulted in much of the world's most valuable arable land now used for other purposes (habitation, industry, etc), something that is nearly impossible to reverse. Additionally, and quite evident in Western Europe, industrialised societies increase their non-production demands on the rural areas: recreational use of 'the outdoors', pleas for the conservation of 'natural vegetation', etc. Given that higher production is necessary (more people, more consumption), we cannot increase our production apparatus (land, water), and our current apparatus will be under more stress (climate change, environmental protection), the challenge for the future is clear: more for more, with less. Thus, agriculture must intensify (increase the output/input ratio; an improvement of efficiency by better management). The inevitable outcome of the 6F equation is that we have no choice but to intensify production methods and stop tolerating efficiency losses on a global level. The only other option is to strike some of the Fs from the equation.