Introduction: The Battle Against Extreme Poverty and Unnecessary Food Production
As of the end of 2021, the global population stood at approximately 8 billion individuals. Amid this vast human endeavor, a significant challenge persists: approximately 700 million people live in extreme poverty, defined as earning less than $2 a day. These individuals are predominantly found in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, engaged in subsistence farming or other poorly paid, manual labor.
The Structural Problem: A Mismatch Between Agricultural Efficiencies and Human Needs
The foundational issue remains the significant disparity between agricultural efficiencies and human needs. Modern agriculture operates via sophisticated machinery using skilled technicians from countries like the Netherlands, Japan, and the USA. With just 200 million hectares of land, these highly efficient methods can produce enough food to sustain the entire planet’s population. However, an expansive 14900 million hectares of land lies idly available, encouraging a misguided pursuit of food production that is far beyond what is necessary.
Traditional Agriculture vs. Modern Efficiency
Traditional agriculture, relying on bare hands, simple tools, and manual labor, has essentially become obsolete, rendering labor-intensive work an inefficient and outdated method. The advent of the Green Revolution and the continuous technological advancements have significantly reduced the time required to buy food, making life for traditional farmers unsustainable. Smart and educated individuals have long since left these manual labor-intensive professions, seeking better wages in urban areas.
Rural Structural Barriers and Solutions
The rural population faces substantial structural challenges. To escape from rural poverty, individuals must move to urban areas, where they can find better-paying jobs. However, this transition can be daunting and requires government intervention in purchasing lands, providing education, and creating credit opportunities for these individuals to settle in cities. Governments must address these barriers to help the rural poor transition to urban areas and secure decent livelihoods.
Government Role in Addressing Rural Poverty
To effectively tackle poverty, governments need to offer solutions that support rural-to-urban migration. This includes compensating farmers for their lands, providing them with urban skills training, and offering them credit to start urban businesses. These measures can help the rural poor gain the necessary skills and financial support to thrive in urban environments.
Beyond 2080: The Inevitability of Eradicating Extreme Poverty
By 2080, there will be no extreme poor operating on less than $2 a day in 2020 prices, provided governments effectively remove structural barriers. This represents a significant leap forward but also signifies a monumental task. The fertility rate is falling, labor shortages are expected, yet the demand for work is expanding exponentially. New jobs are emerging to cater to the demands of increasingly internet-dependent individuals.
Expanding Demand for Work and Urban Opportunities
The demand for work is growing despite dwindling birth rates. Rural poor will be compelled to move to urban areas to find employment. Digital technologies and remote work opportunities will revolutionize how tasks are distributed, making it possible for people in remote areas to contribute to urban life. For instance, in the future, a solitary homeowner in a wealthy neighborhood might be assisted by someone in Africa to control domestic robots. This transition ensures that the poor are not left behind.
Warehoused Capital and Frivolous Investments
With trillions of dollars of financial capital accumulated by 2021, the world is facing a new challenge: how to invest in frivolous items that serve no essential need. This creates opportunities for new businesses, such as planting memorial trees or erecting roadside benches. These ventures not only provide jobs but also fulfill desires that are not driven by necessity, yet fulfill emotional or symbolic purposes.
Opportunities for New Ventures
Entrepreneurs can explore businesses that do not produce utilitarian goods but fulfill symbolic or emotional needs. For example, individuals can invest in creating memorials, erecting benches, or supporting conservation efforts. This shift to non-essential, yet deeply fulfilling, ventures can lead to a more prosperous and empowered society by embracing freedom and choice.
In conclusion, the road to eradicating extreme poverty is long and arduous. However, with strategic government intervention and a deep understanding of structural barriers, it is possible to create a world where everyone can escape the traps of extreme poverty and secure a decent life. The future holds immense promise, as the global community continues to innovate and adapt to new challenges.