
Looming Phosphate Crisis can Imperil Food Production and Security
October 16, 2009 |
Farmers have constantly relied upon phosphate-based fertilizers to increase agricultural yield. However, there are concerns that the world may soon run out of such fertilizers due to quickly declining phosphate reserves. Some estimated that the reserves of clean phosphate rock will last for only about five decades more. Some are now exploring mining reserves offshore though these are known to be laden with impurities Others are also looking at the possible recovery and recycling of phosphates.
To make the supply last longer, ways to cut down on the use of phosphate-based fertilizers and improving their efficiency have been suggested. Other scenarios should also be explored to prevent the crisis from happening which may leave the world's future food supply hanging in the balance. About 70% of global supply of phospate is from China, Morocco, the United States and Russia.
For more information, the original news article is at http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091007/full/461716a.html
|
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Agriculture Needs to be More Productive
- Global Hunger Index 2009
- Economic Impact of Biotech Crops Felt at Farm/Global Levels Says Study
- Looming Phosphate Crisis can Imperil Food Production and Security
- Gates Announces Agricultural Package for Africa
- Project to Boost Crop Production in Poor Sub-Saharan Africa and India
- COMESA Recognizes Potential of Biotechnology
- Bacteria Linked to Mystery Spud Disease
- Brazil Oks Three More GM Crops
- USDA Funds Agricultural Plant Genomics, Genetics and Breeding Research
- Reducing the Impact of Soybean Aphids in the U.S.
- ARS Releases Corn Lines Resistant to Diseases, Aflatoxin Contamination
- West Australia and GM Technology
- Ex-ante Analysis of Biotech Papaya in Thailand
- Indonesian Scientists Seek Implementation of Biosafety Regulation
- Bayer Completes Genome Sequencing of Rapeseed
- New UK Initiative Aims to Increase Food Productivity
- Germany: GM Pea Field Tests to be Relocated to the U.S.
- EuropaBio Position Paper on Biotech SMEs
-
Research Highlights
- Scientists Develop Cowpea Genetic Map
- Sibling Recognition in Plants
-
Announcements
- International Conference on Agricultural Biotech Frontiers
-
Resources
- Borlaug Tribute in Several Languages
- Book on Rice-Wheat System
- Pakistan Biotechnology Report
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (February 12, 2025)
- Gene Editing Supplement (February 12, 2025)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet