Higher agricultural productivity led to the use of fewer natural resources per unit of agricultural output

Two line charts. Top chart shows level of world cropland and water use intensity from 1960 to 2020; bottom chart shows world agricultural emissions intensity from 1990 to 2020.

From 1961 to 2000, agricultural output nearly quadrupled, mostly achieved by increases in productivity as new resources were brought into the production process, the use of inputs intensified, and the efficiency with which resources were used improved.


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