(Hryshchyshen Serhii / Shutterstock.com)
In the time it will take to read this sentence, roughly 1,465,9484 tonnes of water will be used around the world for the purpose of growing crops. This is just one of the fascinating facts featured on interactive infographic the World Food Clock, where you can explore the state of food in the world in real time. Here are 7 more astonishing facts about global food resources.
1. ALL OVER THE WORLD - PEOPLE IN FACT HAVE MORE FOOD THAN THEY DID BEFORE 1990
South Asia saw major progress in the 1990's, while Sub-Saharan Africa has shown significant development since the turn of the millennium. There is, of course, much more to be done.
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2. ALMOST HALF OF THE TOTAL FOOD PRODUCED IN THE WORLD IS NEVER EATEN
Nearly 2 billion tons of food ends up as waste every year. The reasons? unnecessarily strict sell-by dates, overcosumerism and also - poor storage facilities and inadequate infrastructure in developing countries.
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3. CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN AGRICULTURE WOULD PRODUCE 20-30% YIELD INCREASE
Increased access by women's to productive resources - agricultural tools, education and labor markets - could raise total agricultural output in developing countries.
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4. GLOBAL WARMING MAY HAVE A PLUS: IT COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN CROP YIELDS
Warmer weather is leading to longer growing seasons, improved crop growth and is opening up opportunities to introduce new or novel crops in certain areas.
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5. 70% OF THE WORLD’S WATER RESOURCES ARE NEEDED FOR FOOD PRODUCTION
Agriculture is the biggest user of water - it claims some 70 percent of all freshwater appropriated for human use.
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6. AGRICULTURE IS THE SINGLE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE WORLD
Over 1 billion people around the world make a living from agriculture, representing 1 in 3 of all global workers.
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7. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ANNUALLY ON PET FOOD COULD ELIMINATE WORLD HUNGER
Around $17 billion is spent each year on pet food in Europe and United States - the estimated cost for bringing food to everyone, all over the world.
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