By how much will global food production need to increase to feed the projected 9.9 billion people on earth by 2050?

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food production will need to increase by 70% to feed the projected 9.9 billion people on earth by 2050. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how this figure is calculated:

1. Current global food production levels are established as a baseline.

2. The projected population increase is taken into account. The world's population is expected to reach 9.9 billion by 2050, up from 7.8 billion in 2020.

3. The changing dietary habits of the global population are considered. As more people move out of poverty, consumption of meat and dairy products - which require more resources to produce - is expected to rise.

4. The impact of climate change on agricultural productivity is factored in. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns could reduce crop yields in many parts of the world.

5. The need to produce more food on less land (to preserve biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions) is also considered.

6. Taking all these factors into account, the FAO estimates that a 70% increase in global food production (compared to 2009 levels) will be needed by 2050.