Food Production in Australia and the USA: How Expanding Arable Land Could Transform Global Food Supply

(This is part 4 of a 6-part series exploring transforming arid areas with water)

Australia and the United States are two of the world’s major food producers, using their vast agricultural landscapes to feed not only their populations but also contribute to global food supplies. With growing global demand and challenges like climate change affecting food security, increasing the amount of arable land could offer a solution. This blog explores the amount of food produced in both countries, how much of that is exported, the land currently used for production, and the potential impact of expanding arable land, particularly in arid regions. We’ll also discuss how the use of Deep Seated Water could help transform these lands into fertile, productive areas.

Food Production in Australia

Australia is renowned for its agricultural output despite the vast amount of arid and semi-arid land. Known for its diversity of crops and livestock, the country is a key exporter of food products across the globe.

1. Current Food Production
   Australia produces around 61 million tons of food annually, spanning a wide range of agricultural products. Major outputs include wheat, beef, lamb, wool, sugar, barley, and canola. Australia ranks among the world’s top producers of wheat and beef, making agriculture one of the cornerstones of the economy.
2. Percentage of Food Exported
   Around 70% of Australia’s agricultural production is exported, which makes it one of the world’s leading food exporters. Key markets include countries in the Asia-Pacific region, where Australia plays a critical role in supplying grains, meat, and other essential agricultural products.
3. Amount of Land Used for Food Production
   Agricultural land in Australia spans approximately 385 million hectares (951 million acres), though much of this is used for low-intensity grazing. Only around 4% of the total land area is used for crops, largely because much of the country is dominated by arid and semi-arid conditions that are unsuitable for intensive farming.

Food Production in the USA

The United States is a global agricultural powerhouse, producing a staggering variety of crops and livestock that feed both domestic and international markets. With vast areas of fertile land, particularly in the Midwest, the USA has long been a key player in global food production.

1. Current Food Production
   The USA produces more than 2.5 billion tons of food annually. This includes crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and a wide array of fruits and vegetables. It’s also a major producer of livestock, including beef, pork, and poultry. Corn and soybeans are particularly dominant in the USA’s agricultural output, with the country producing nearly a third of the world’s corn.
2. Percentage of Food Exported
   While the USA is a significant food consumer, it exports about 20% of its agricultural production – 500 million tons annually. Some of its key exports include corn, soybeans, wheat, and fresh produce, making it a critical supplier in the global food chain.
3. Amount of Land Used for Food Production
   Agricultural land in the USA covers about 900 million acres (approximately 364 million hectares), with about 44% of that land used for cropland and the rest used for grazing and other agricultural activities. Despite the vast areas already in use, there are still opportunities to expand productive land, particularly in arid regions of the western and southwestern states.

The Potential Impact of Increasing Arable Land

While Australia and the USA are already highly productive agricultural nations, the potential to increase food production through the expansion of arable land is enormous. Both countries have large expanses of arid and semi-arid land that are currently underutilized due to the lack of water and poor soil conditions. However, with the right strategies, these lands could be transformed into fertile, productive areas.

1. Increasing Arable Land in Australia
   Australia currently uses only a small percentage of its land for crop production. The vast semi-arid and arid regions, particularly in the interior, are primarily used for grazing. However, if water could be introduced to these regions, millions of hectares could be converted into productive farmland. This would not only increase the volume of food produced in Australia but would also boost the country’s already significant role in global food exports.
2. Increasing Arable Land in the USA
   In the USA, large portions of the western and southwestern states remain underutilized due to water scarcity. However, if these areas were irrigated and developed for agriculture, they could support large-scale food production, contributing to both domestic food security and global exports. Expanding agriculture into these regions would not only increase food production but could also help stabilize global food markets, particularly for key crops like corn and soybeans.

The Role of Water in Expanding Food Production

Water is the single most important factor in determining the viability of expanding arable land. In both Australia and the USA, vast tracts of land are currently unsuitable for farming simply because they lack sufficient water. If water resources could be made available in these regions, it would open up new opportunities for agriculture. Indeed, the US National Groundwater Association estimates there is 6,000 years of global water supply in the upper two kilometers (6500 feet) of the earth’s crust. By using advanced digital mapping technologies and patented scientific instrumentation, AquaterreX can locate these deep-water reserves with a high degree of accuracy, allowing farmers and ranchers to tap into a reliable source of water that can sustain agriculture even in the harshest conditions.

Using Deep Seated Water to Expand Arable Land

One of the most promising solutions for bringing water to these regions is tapping into deep-seated groundwater. Deep Seated Water, found in underground aquifers, represents an untapped resource that could be used to irrigate new farmland. Companies like AquaterreX specialize in locating these water reserves, which could provide a sustainable source of fresh water for agriculture in arid regions.

By tapping into these underground aquifers, Australia and the USA could bring life to previously barren lands. This would allow farmers to grow crops in areas that were once considered unproductive, vastly increasing the amount of food produced without relying on overused surface water or inconsistent rainfall.

Boosting Global Food Production

The potential impact of expanding arable land through the use of Deep Seated Water is enormous. Australia, already a top exporter of wheat and beef, could significantly increase its output by bringing new farmland into production. The USA, with its vast resources and agricultural infrastructure, could boost its output of key crops like corn and soybeans, providing stability to global food markets. With more land available for agriculture, both countries could help address the growing issue of global food insecurity, feeding millions more people worldwide.

Transforming Arid Lands into Productive Farmland with Deep-Seated Water

Australia and the USA are already major contributors to global food production, but they have the potential to produce even more by expanding the amount of arable land available. Arid and semi-arid regions, currently limited by water scarcity, could be transformed into productive farmland through the use of deep-seated groundwater. By introducing sustainable water management practices and expanding agriculture into these areas, both countries could play an even larger role in feeding the world. The future of global food security may well depend on our ability to unlock the potential of these untapped lands and turn them into fertile, productive resources.

This blog article is part 4 of a 6-part series exploring transforming arid areas with water. Stay tuned for part 4 soon. If you missed earlier parts, read here:

Part 1 What If We Could Bring Water to Arid and Semi-Arid Areas?

Part 2 How Much Land is Arid or Semi-Arid, and What Will It Take to Make It Ready for Agriculture?

Part 3 Successful Transformations: How Water Made the Desert Bloom