What does it take to feed a nation the size of the United States? Well, the good news is… a lot less than it used to.
Here’s what we mean: For most of human history most people have devoted most of their energy to making sure they have enough to eat.
In the year 1870, 50 percent of Americans were farmers and each one of them produced enough to supply about five people. By 1980, only four percent of workers were in agriculture — and each of them could supply food for nearly 70 people.
Our productivity gains have been astonishing. In the 70 years from 1948 to 2017, America managed to nearly triple its agricultural output while using only 3/4 as much land and only 1/4 as much labor.iv
Related on the SLP
The result: abundance.
Mis- and disinformation are distorting science and public policy. Subscribe to our Daily and Weekly Digests for incisive coverage of ‘disruptive’ innovations in AI, agricultural biotechnology, food, chemicals, nuclear energy, vaccines, and other disruptive innovations.
