Agriculture is facing major long-term challenges. Some forecasts suggest that world population is set to grow by 2.3 billion by 2050. This, together with rising global income levels that typically increase food demand per capital, would require raising food production in 2050 by 70% compared to 2005 levels.
Agriculture is facing major long-term challenges. Some forecasts suggest that world population is set to grow by 2.3 billion by 2050. This, together with rising global income levels that typically increase food demand per capital, would require raising food production in 2050 by 70% compared to 2005 levels.
In parallel, the world continues to urbanize at pace. Indeed, forecasts suggest that 70% of the world population will live in urban environment by 2050 compared with nearly 50% in 2009. This will adversely impact the availability of labour near agricultural lands. Add to this the facts that in many countries, particularly in the developed world, famer population is ageing fast and that wages are increasing.
Furthermore, many agricultural activities demand seasonal labour. In many instances accommodating this need would require continued flexibility towards migrant workers, an objective that may become more difficult in places in the light of events such as Brexit. It is within this context that automation of agricultural tasks finds its economic purpose.
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