The population of the world is growing. It is no secret. By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion people around the world, which is more than 2 billion more than today.1 Unfortunately, the amount of land available for agriculture isn’t expanding with the population. This creates significant challenges for farmers accountable for providing food of high-quality for Canadians, and other people around the world.
Canada is the 5th largest exporter.2 Canadian farmers play a vital role in providing the food we need for everyone. They will have to provide more food items than ever before.
To meet the growing demand, farmers will need to produce 70 percent more food by 2050. *Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. How to provide food for the world by 2050
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Farmers aren’t prepared to deal the increasing demand. The latest technology and tools including herbicides, like glyphosate, can be used to help farmers effectively and efficiently manage weeds which results in an increased security and sustainability of food supply.
What exactly is glyphosate?
Glyphosate, a versatile and non-selective herbicide, has been utilized by land managers, gardeners and farmers all over the globe for over 40 years. It is a chemical that induces an enzyme that plants need to grow, and in this instance unwanted weeds. Glyphosate is completely safe for animals and people if used correctly.
Glyphosate can be utilized for many other purposes other than agriculture. It is employed in municipalities to guard wildlife and the public from harmful weeds.6 In addition, it is employed to stop burning and ensure accessibility on railway tracks.
In recent years, glyphosate has been the subject of more scrutiny and is now being utilized in our everyday life. Although it’s essential to ask what’s in our food, it’s important to note that over 160 international health regulatory bodies which includes Health Canada, agree that glyphosate is not harmful to humans when employed correctly.8
Canadians must be better aware of glyphosate and the ways it is used. This can reduce their fears.
Glyphosate can be used to grow crops.
Glyphosate-based herbicides can be used in agriculture to benefit farmers, consumers and the environment as well as all others. It is crucial to efficient controlling weeds, secure food supply, environmental sustainability and sustainable weed control. Let’s explore each of the benefits.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization the world’s farmers could lose anywhere between 30-40% and 50% of their crops to pests, weeds, and diseases. http://www.fsc.go.jp/emerg/inryousui_glyphosate.pdf This is particularly damaging for farmers because their livelihoods depend on these crops.
It’s not unexpected that farmers have relied on these tools year after year. https://www.acis.famic.go.jp/syouroku/glyphosate/index.htm Applying glyphosate in fields with glyphosate-tolerant crops is a proven method of keeping harmful weeds away from their crops.
The battle between weeds and crops — The struggle of their lives
A farmer’s crop will have to compete with up to 30,000 species of weeds in search of space, water, nutrients and light.9 Glyphosate gives crops an opportunity to fight.
Canadians and other consumers around all over the world enjoy the benefits of plentiful, affordable food
The population is growing and half of the land that is used for food production in Canada is at risk of becoming unusable in 40 years.10 This is leading us to more food shortages. Canadians might pay 55% more for food without modern farming innovations like the use Glyphosate.
It would also make it more difficult for us to find the food we enjoy. But, thanks to science-based agriculture farmers will be able to grow more of our most-loved staple foods over the years.
Glyphosate can do more than ensure that your produce is affordable. Glyphosate is also used to help farmers care for their most valuable asset, that which Cherilyn Jolly Nagle from Mossbank, Saskatchewan, says is their land.
Keeping foods we love on the table
Farmers can prosper by using crop protection tools, like glyphosate, to guard crops from disease and pests.
42% more grains , such as wheat and corn
72% more fruit
83% more vegetables and potatoes12
The benefits are clear. グリホサート But is it safe to use glyphosate?
Simply put, the answer is yes. Like all pesticides you should always follow the label instructions. Canada has two regulation agencies for glyphosate: the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, that inspects crops to determine the presence of pesticide residue. The other is the Pest Management Regulating Agency (PMRA) which provides the regulatory guidelines as well as product evaluations and approvals (or refusals) and also has one of the most extensive evaluation processes across the globe.
While regulatory agencies ensure that farmers use herbicides approved by the FDA in a safe manner Farmers and manufacturers also have a significant role to play in ensuring that glyphosate is been properly and safely used to prevent any unintended damage to the natural environment, animals as well as human people.
The combination of technological advancements and precision agriculture allows farmers to use data to create precise applications for glyphosate. グリホサート This includes how much and where to apply it.
It is rare that pesticide residue will be found on food. CFIA assures farmers that they make use of herbicides safely and adhere to established residue limits16. It is not common and it does not cause harm to human or animal health17
Glyphosate use as a part of sustainable farming practices
Farmers use herbicides like glyphosate as part of an integrated pest and weed control strategy. That is, they employ more than herbicides to control plants. Glyphosate enabled farmers to use conservation techniques and no-till methods to provide long-term benefit for the soil and air https://www.roundupjp.com/ .
– Reduction or elimination plowing/tilling of the land
Reduced CO2 emissions
– Capturing carbon from the soil
– Improve the health of your soil
– Reducing the flow of water and limiting erosion13
“No pesticide regulatory body around the globe considers the glyphosate ingredient to pose a risk of cancer to humans at current concentrations.” — Health Canada (January 11, 2019).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, How to provide for the planet’s needs in 2050
It is more critical than ever to ensure that Canadian farmers are equipped with the technology, tools and support they require to support a growing population.
By following the best agricultural, pest control and food safety practices, farmers will continue to ensure our food supply is healthy and plentiful. Glyphosate, however is only one tool they’ll utilize to ensure Canadians are able to access cheap, healthy food options for the future.