The value of domestic food production and Utah’s role – Deseret News

Report on U.S. Agricultural Productivity and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Domestic Agriculture and Food Security (SDG 2)

An analysis of United States agricultural data underscores the critical role of domestic production in ensuring national food security, a cornerstone of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Despite a globalized food system, domestic sources fulfill the vast majority of the nation’s food requirements. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, imports constitute less than 20% of U.S. food and beverage expenditures, highlighting the reliance on a robust domestic agricultural sector to feed the population.

Analysis of Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

Efficiency Gains and Responsible Production (SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 15)

The U.S. agricultural sector has demonstrated significant progress in enhancing productivity, aligning with the principles of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Key trends observed between 1961 and 2022 include:

• Total agricultural output increased by nearly 2.5 times.
• Total inputs, such as labor and resources, rose by only 17%.
• Total factor productivity—a measure of output relative to input—has steadily increased, indicating that more food is being produced with fewer additional resources.
• These efficiency gains have been achieved even as total farmland has declined by approximately 25%, demonstrating a move towards more sustainable land use practices as outlined in SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Regional Production Hubs and Economic Impact (SDG 8)

Specific geographic regions serve as high-performing agricultural hubs, contributing significantly to local economies and supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). In some counties, agriculture accounts for over 20% of total employment and more than 90% of all land use.

1. California: The state is home to nine of the nation’s top 10 agricultural counties. Fresno County leads with over $7.7 billion in sales (primarily fruits and nuts), followed by Tulare County with over $7 billion (driven by dairy). Other major counties include Monterey, Kern, and Merced.
2. Washington: Grant and Yakima counties are notable for fruit production.
3. Colorado and Iowa: Weld County, Colorado, and Sioux County, Iowa, are leaders in cattle and livestock.
4. North Carolina: Sampson County is a national leader in hog farming.

State-Level Case Study: Utah’s Agricultural Sector

Contribution to State Economy and Food Systems (SDG 2 & SDG 8)

While not a leading state in overall production volume, Utah’s agricultural sector is a key economic driver for many rural communities, contributing to both SDG 2 and SDG 8. The report provides the following statistics for the state:

• Market value of agricultural products sold: $2,586,964,662
• Share of total U.S. agricultural value: 0.4%
• Most valuable agricultural products: Milk from cows (Note: Other USDA data suggests cattle and calves are the most valuable commodity)
• Crop sales: $793,033,059
• Livestock and other animal product sales: $1,793,931,603
• Number of farms: 17,386
• Agriculture share of total land area: 20.0%

Local Impact and Sustainable Land Management (SDG 8 & SDG 15)

In Utah, agriculture provides vital employment in rural areas. For example, in Beaver and Millard counties, farming and ranching jobs constitute approximately 6.5% and 10.2% of total employment, respectively. The state’s livestock and dairy sectors are significant, supported by land management practices that include grazing on public lands, which make up roughly three-quarters of the state’s area. This practice is relevant to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems under SDG 15. Continued support for local farmers through consumer purchasing and sound policy is essential for maintaining this economic base and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the food system.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article’s central theme is domestic agricultural production and its role in “feeding the nation.” It discusses food systems, agricultural output, and the production of various food commodities like fruits, nuts, dairy, and livestock, all of which are fundamental to achieving food security and ending hunger.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article highlights agriculture as a “key economic driver,” especially in rural communities. It provides specific data on the market value of agricultural products (e.g., Fresno County’s $7.7 billion in sales) and agriculture’s significant contribution to local employment (e.g., “over 20% of total employment” in some counties), directly linking agricultural productivity to economic growth and job creation.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • A key point in the article is the increase in agricultural efficiency. It states that “total agricultural output increased by nearly 2.5 times, while total inputs rose by just 17%” between 1961 and 2022. This demonstrates a move towards more sustainable production patterns by producing more with fewer resources, which is a core principle of SDG 12.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article discusses land use for agriculture extensively. It notes that “total farmland has declined by roughly 25%” while output has grown, indicating more efficient use of land. It also specifies the “Agriculture share of total land area” in Utah (20.0%) and mentions that in some top counties, it accounts for “more than 90% of all land use,” connecting directly to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
   • Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article directly addresses the first part of this target by detailing the historical increase in U.S. agricultural productivity, noting that “total factor productivity — a measure of output relative to input — has steadily climbed.”
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity. The article’s main evidence—that farmers are “producing more food with fewer additional resources” on a declining amount of farmland—is a clear example of increasing productivity and implementing more efficient agricultural practices.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The dramatic increase in “total factor productivity” since 1961, as mentioned in the article, is a direct reflection of achieving this target within the agricultural sector.
3. Under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production):
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The statistic that agricultural output grew 2.5 times while inputs only grew by 17% and farmland declined by 25% is a powerful illustration of the increasingly efficient use of natural resources (land, inputs) in agriculture.
4. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. While not explicitly mentioning degradation, the article’s point about increasing output on a shrinking land base implies a more intensive and efficient use of existing agricultural land, which is crucial for preventing the conversion of other lands and achieving land degradation neutrality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Productivity Indicators:
   • The article explicitly mentions “total factor productivity — a measure of output relative to input.” This is a direct indicator for measuring progress towards SDG Target 2.3 and 8.2. The supporting data, “output increased by nearly 2.5 times, while total inputs rose by just 17%,” quantifies this progress.
2. Economic Indicators:
   • The “Market value of agricultural products sold” is used throughout the article (e.g., “$7.7 billion in agricultural sales” for Fresno County, “$2,586,964,662” for Utah). This serves as an indicator of the economic contribution of agriculture, relevant to SDG 8.
   • The “Share of total employment” in agriculture (e.g., “about 6.5% and 10.2% of total employment” in Utah counties) is another clear indicator mentioned, measuring the sector’s role in providing livelihoods, relevant to SDG 8.
3. Land Use Indicators:
   • The article provides the “Agriculture share of total land area” (20.0% for Utah, over 90% for some counties). This is a direct indicator for monitoring land use patterns under SDG 15.
   • The statistic that “total farmland has declined by roughly 25%” since 1961 is an indicator of land use change, which, when paired with productivity data, helps measure progress towards efficient resource use under SDG 12 and SDG 15.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: deseret.com