Tag: Agriculture

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), rice is the staple food for more than half of the world's population, providing a major source of calories and carbohydrates. This versatile grain, cultivated for thousands of years, is far more than just a simple food item; its importance extends deep into global economies, cultures, and nutrition. From ancient traditions to modern dining tables, rice continues to shape societies and sustain billions of lives.

Over 70% of the world's cultivated regions are dedicated to growing wheat, making it the most extensively grown cereal grain globally. It has achieved this status due to a unique combination of versatility, nutritional value, and historical significance that other grains cannot match.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global food system consumes roughly 30% of the world's available energy. Answering what percent of food costs energy is not a simple task, as the figure varies greatly depending on the food type, location, and stage of the supply chain.

Experts estimate that while there are between 20,000 and 30,000 plant species considered edible by humans, we regularly consume only a tiny fraction of them. This stark reality is key to understanding how many edible plants do humans eat and the reliance on a limited global food basket.

Iron salts are among the most widely used chemical compounds globally, with ferrous sulfate alone seeing over 6 million prescriptions in the United States in 2021. What are iron salts used for across various sectors, from essential medical treatments to widespread industrial processes?

According to a 2016 BBC report, if the world were to go vegetarian by 2050, it could result in approximately seven million fewer deaths per year. This thought experiment reveals the profound and complex impacts that would follow if we stopped eating meat, reshaping society, health, and the global ecosystem.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), urea was first used to supplement ruminant feeds in the early 20th century. The compound is the most common example of a non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source, a category of substances that can be converted into true protein by microbes in the rumen. This makes urea a cost-effective and crucial component in the diets of cattle, sheep, and other ruminant animals, particularly when natural protein sources are scarce or expensive.

Over 60 countries worldwide require labeling of genetically modified foods, yet the policies on cultivating or importing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) vary significantly. Discover which countries do not use GMOs, exploring the complex regulations that govern their cultivation, import, and sale across the globe.

Over two-thirds of the world's antibiotics originate from the *Streptomyces* genus, a group of prolific bacteria known for producing a vast range of bioactive compounds. These powerful microorganisms are now being explored as probiotics, revealing a multitude of benefits across diverse applications, from agriculture to animal health.

According to agricultural studies, the total soluble solids content of a mango can vary from 79% to 84% by weight, demonstrating the immense range of dissolved substances in just one fruit. This measurement, known as Total Soluble Solids (TSS), is a fundamental metric used across numerous industries to assess everything from food quality to water purity.