SEC-S14/W4 - Sustainable Animal Productivity and Environmental Footprint Towards Global Food Security.

Hey Steemian friends!

I have no idea what kind of blessing I have done to live in this green paradise of Sri Lanka and it is a true blessing. Our rich soil ensures a year round harvest, offering us some level of food security. But recent changes in our daily lives, especially the surprising price hikes during this Christmas season, got me thinking about the shifts in our food culture and their impact on Mother Nature.

A week ago, the sudden hike in vegetables and meat prices in the market brought up a conversation with my mother. I asked her whether she remembered the time that vegetable lorries would unload heaps of cucumbers and pumpkins in front of my grandparent's house in my village back when I was little. Then she said that in her childhood her father (my grandfather) didn’t even have to go to the market because back then, villagers freely shared all their vegetables and fruits. Times have changed, though. A month ago, our local markets sold 01Kg of onion for Rs.200, and today it is Rs. 750/-

What's the reason behind it? 🤔

Now my experience about this topic is very limited so I had to find out on the internet about the current affairs of the topic. The data are so insane that I even can’t imagine it. For a moment, have you ever thought about how many animals are slaughtered each day for our consumption! Do you know how many cows are slaughtered every day? Perhaps how many chickens? In 2021, it was nearly 900,000 cows and a staggering 202 million chickens. That’s about 140,000 in every minute. Did you get the picture now!?

Now I'll be the first to admit, I used to see my meat loving habits as part of the circle of life. But hey, I think it is a very good time to change, and it's high time we reconsider our choices. So, let's talk about the elephant in the room (or maybe the cow or pig or hen, in this case) the environmental footprint of our food choices.

Our beloved animals, even the tiniest insects play a crucial role in our ecosystem which directly affects our food supply chain. However, the current methods of raising the animals in the livestock often leave a hefty carbon footprint. The use of global land, deforestation, and water and food consumption of the animals, it's like we're throwing a one big stupid party for climate change, and the animals are the unwitting guests of honor.

So, what changes can we make for a better future?

• Finding an alternative Protein Sources,

We already have plant based food to get the protein we want but the taste is the issue. However, ongoing research worldwide aims to create meat replacements like cultured meat, grown in labs without harming animals. This could be a big invention if it happens soon.

• Sustainable utilization of the land,

Do you know that 77% of agricultural land is used for livestock! leaving only 23% for crops. Now you will see why we need these fertilizers for all the crops. However, instead of confining them to one space if we let them roam freely on different pastures, it will help to preserve soil fertility and reduce the need for artificial fertilizers. Animal manure becomes a natural fertilizer, reducing the need for synthetic chemicals. A way better sustainable approach with less animal suffering because now they can roam in the natural environment.

^{source | Global land use for meat and dairy production adds up to a staggering 37 million km²}

• Go Local,

Let's support our local farmers! Buying locally-produced goods not only ensures fresher, tastier treats for us but also promotes sustainable farming practices in our own village without going for those trendy big farmers. It's a win-win for everyone.

• Educating about the future,

While all the above suggestions are in the bigger picture and hard to scale, I would recommend everyone to think about these stats and where the world is heading. Global issues like inflation, health concerns, and climate change are interconnected. To secure a better future with a thriving Mother Nature, we need to act fast and make informed choices.

This topic has been an eye-opener for me and I learned a lot about sustainable practices and how all these impact our food supply. Thank you for this interesting contest @steem.ofanimals. Looking forward to taking on the next week’s challenge. I would like to invite @ninapenda, @walictd & @yuswadinisam to participate in this contest.

Thank you.

Peace to all 🙏

^{The cover image has been developed by Midjourney and photoshoped by me. Proper sourcing has been ensured for any other pictures used in the content. All other pictures are from my gallery.}

^{Reading references:}

^{How many animals get slaughtered every day?
By 2040, 60% of ‘meat’ won’t come from dead animals
Land Use}