In the past 100 years, food production has become much more efficient. This is due to the use of machinery and fertilisers as well as plant breeding. For example, crop yields are now two or three times what they were before.
Fewer workers are needed in farming. In 1920 about 70% of Finnish workers were employed in farming. Now just 2% work in farming.
Although farming is no longer a common profession, it remains important. Everyone needs food.
When people talk about food these days, they may talk about synthetic proteins, cellular agriculture and cultured meat. Many types of product are being developed.
People have high expectations for the future of food. It is possible that humans will eat synthetic food. It can be produced efficiently and ecologically.
No one knows when our food will change. But as this will not happen immediately, farming will continue to produce food for many decades to come. That is why it is important to study sustainable agriculture, which means farming that is good for the environment.
Agriculture can be sustainable in many ways.
Ecological sustainability means that food production does not harm the environment and natural resources, such as water and the soil.
Economic sustainability means that farmers earn enough to make a living from their work.
Social sustainability means that farms are run properly, for example, that animals are treated well.
All these areas of sustainability are studied at Viikki Research Farm.