Agriculture is essential to feed the world’s population. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), there are currently more than 7.9 billion people in the world, and this number is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. To feed this growing population, agricultural production must increase by 60% by the year 2050. Agriculture is the only activity that can produce enough food to meet the demand of a constantly growing population.

Agriculture is essential for food security. Food security refers to the availability of sufficient and nutritious food to meet the needs of the population. Food security is a global problem currently, more than 820 million people worldwide suffer from chronic malnutrition. Agriculture can contribute to improving food security by increasing food production and improving the quality of agricultural products.

Agriculture is also an important economic activity. Agriculture is the main source of income and employment in many countries, especially developing countries. According to the FAO, around 500 million small farmers around the world depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Also, agriculture is a source of income for companies related to this activity, such as the food industry and the fertilizer and pesticide industry.

In addition to being a source of food and employment, agriculture is also important to the local economy. Agricultural production can contribute to the economic development of rural communities by generating income and employment. Agriculture can also be a source of foreign exchange for countries that export agricultural products.

Another important aspect of agriculture is its role in feeding large cities. The majority of the world’s population lives in cities and depends on agricultural products for their food. Agricultural production must be sufficient to feed the entire population, which represents a major challenge for food-producing countries.

In addition, agriculture can contribute to the conservation of natural resources. Sustainable agriculture can help conserve soils, improve water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable agriculture can also enhance biodiversity by conserving and protecting natural ecosystems.

Finally, the importance of agriculture for the self-sufficiency of countries in food production is vital in times of international crisis. If a country can produce enough food for its population, it can better deal with emergency situations, such as international conflicts or global food supply problems.