Role of Animal Agriculture for the Quality of Human Life in the 21st Century - Review (Keynote Speech) -

The role of animal agriculture for the quality of human life has always been emphasized during 20th century and it is expected to be even more important in terms of food supplies and in providing additional functions in the future. The world human population has almost tripled during a period of half century. The world population of animals has increased 2~3 times (6 times for chicken) during the last 60 years, and the total amount of livestock products has increased 5~6 times (more than 10 times in pork) with higher annual growth rate (9%) in developing countries. Increased personal income certainly encouraged demand for animal products over grains and lower animal production costs resulted from scientific and technological advances. Similarly the production of total grains has more than doubled owing to the advances in agricultural science during the later part of the 20th century. The average life span of world people in 1950s was only 46 years, which will be increased to almost 66 years in the year 2000. Present date clearly indicate that the life span of people is proportional to their income (GNP) and/or animal protein intake. Animals can provide other resources than foods. The increase of human population indicates that the number of animals as well as per capita consumption of animal products will be increased in the 21st century. The other resources we get from animals are drafts, packing, riding, hunting and herding. Guiding the blind, protection and companionship are also examples of what we can expect from animals. In the very near future, animals will become major donors of organs, skin and producers of drugs or special functional foods. It may be concluded that animals are very closely associated and related to the quality of human life, and they are expected to remain the same way in the 21st century.