The world is experiencing a demographic shift unlike any in modern history. Many countries across the Global North now have fertility rates well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. As populations age and shrink, these nations face labor shortages and declining economic productivity.
Countries that have historically been among the world’s agricultural powerhouses are not immune to these trends. China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and many European nations are experiencing aging populations and shrinking workforces. In the United States and Australia, future workforce growth depends heavily on immigration. As fewer young people enter agricultural professions, concerns are growing about who will produce food in the future.
Illustrative. An African agronomist using a…
