A recent study by Luo et al. (2023) has revealed that China can achieve self-sufficiency in maize production by using optimal planting density and soil management strategies. The research comes in response to concerns raised by China’s growing population and economic development, which have increased the demand for food and animal feed.
The study combined data-driven projections with a machine-learning method using data from 402 stations and 87 field experiments across China. The findings suggest that implementing optimal planting density and management practices could roughly double the current maize yield.
According to researchers, by the 2030s, planting crops closer together and improving soil quality could increase crop yield by 52% under a prominent climate change scenario known as the Shared Socio-Economic Pathway (SSP585). This improvement would surpass the adverse effects of climate change on crop yield.
This groundbreaking research challenges the prevailing view of yield stagnation in most global areas, providing an example of how food security can be achieved with optimal crop-soil management under future climate change scenarios. Furthermore, by adopting these practices, China has the potential to become self-sufficient in maize production using its current cropping areas.
The findings of this study can have significant implications for global food security, demonstrating that countries can adapt to the growing demand for food and animal feed by adopting efficient crop and soil management techniques. This approach can also help mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural production, ensuring a sustainable food supply for future generations.
Read the rest of the study by Luo et al. (2023) here.
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