The challenge of feeding nine billion people in less than 50 years has been put to 118 young people from 20 countries at the youth agriculture global summit being held in Calgary this week.
While that question is already stymieing the experts, the sponsors of this event decided it was time to ask those who would be the leaders in 2050.
“They will be the future and they will be living with it,” said Derrick Rodzeba of Bayer Crop Science, a major sponsor of the event along with the Canadian 4-H Council.
“They are building a network with others who have the same desire to solve this problem,” he said.
Delegates from around the world were asked to apply by writing a 2,000 word essay or filming a video to explain what they think is a possible approach.
During the week in Calgary, the youth aged 18-25 will hold private workshops with mentors answering questions on sustainability, goals, landscapes and innovation. They are also asked to set three personal goals they can take home that they can personally implement.
They will also tour an Alberta ranch, a grocery store and science facilities to get a sense of what agriculture is like in Canada.
