As part of the 2013-2014 World Resources Report, a series of 18 graphics have been published to provide a visual of the challenge facing the world: how to feed 9.6 billion people by 2050 while advancing development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment.

The graphics developed by the World Resources Institute show projected population growth in each region of the world and how diets are shifting. The environmental footprint of agriculture is displayed along with how climate change and water stress are exacerbating the situation and how increasing biofuel production will impact on land available to grow food crops.

“The world must achieve a great balancing act,” says the article in which the graphics appear.

Among the graphics which look at possible solutions to achieving a sustainable food future, is one which demonstrates how conservation agriculture - such as reduced tillage, crop rotations, and mulching – has increased maize yields in Malawi. When these techniques are combined with agroforestry, yields increase even further.

“These practices could be scaled up on more than 300 million hectares in sub-Saharan Africa,” says the article.

Read the full story: The Global Food Challenge Explained in 18 Graphics

See also: interim findings of Creating a Sustainable Food Future, a report produced by WRI, U.N. Environment Programme, U.N. Development Programme, and the World Bank