Will China face famine? Decreasing arable land

New delhi date. 5. Saturday 2020 September

China, the world's second-largest economy, could find it difficult to feed its citizens in the coming days.

China, the world's most populous country, has only 7% of the world's arable land against 22% of the world's population. Due to continuous industrialization and urbanization since 1949, China's arable land has been reduced by 22% and the country now has barely 10-15% . Against which the proportion of arable land in India is 50 per cent, in the United States 20 per cent, in France 32 per cent and in Saudi Arabia 1 per cent. Out of the cultivable land in China, 40 per cent is irrigated.

China uses the most fertilizer and produces the most grain per acre as it has to produce maximum grain in less land. However, there is a huge gap between demand and supply in China. China is dependent on its own population for frequent natural disasters. It will be difficult to replenish. By 2030, when China's population will reach 1.5 billion, it will need 100 million tons more grain every year.

According to the Chinese government, last year's drought and floods affected 548 million people and affected China's food supply. This year, the corn crop has been severely damaged by pests. Food wastage in China could also lead to starvation. The Chinese throw away 18 million tons of food every year, which can feed at least 3 to 50 million people.