General Six food service opportunities from saline agriculture
Climate change is increasingly impacting how we produce food. A consequence of drought and rising sea levels is that the earth’s soil is becoming more salty. This phenomenon is referred to as salinization, and creates a threat to agriculture. Yet there is hope with the use of saline agriculture. Worldwide, much research is being conducted around the possibilities of farming in saline conditions. Food Inspiration took a look at both the opportunities and the benefits.
Salinization is one of the biggest threats to the agricultural sector worldwide. Due to the effects of climate change (rising sea levels, extreme weather, and higher temperatures) agricultural areas in coastal areas are flooding more often. Intensive (ground) water use and subsidence can also lead to salinization. Many of the commercial crops consumed daily do not grow well in saline conditions. As soils become increasingly saline, there is less and less farmland suitable for growing food, all while the world population growth increases the demand for food. Combating salinization is also difficult, requiring large amounts of fresh water in a period where there is already a worldwide shortage of safe drinking water. As a result, agriculture will have to adapt by developing cultivation techniques that reduce the consumption of fresh water and learn how to grow crops in saline conditions.