A science-based approach to production, clear leadership and clarity of focus regarding rising consumer needs will deliver enough nutritious, affordable food to satisfy the nine billion people who will inhabit the Earth in 2050.
This was the confident message given by Elanco’s regional leader for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Ramiro Cabral, as part of the global animal health company’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
Pointing out that fewer than three billion people lived on the planet when Elanco began, Mr Cabral said he believed global food security was an issue “we can start to solve now”.
Beginning life in 1954 as Eli Lilly and Company, the current name first appeared in 1960 when the Elanco Products Company was created, with “Elanco” being derived from Eli Lilly and Company. Keeping pace throughout its history with a rapidly growing and changing world population, the company now has products in more than 80 countries, supplied and serviced by a workforce of more than 3,000 people worldwide.
Looking forward today, Elanco’s leaders believe that the steepest phase of the world’s food demand curve will be between now and 2020, with an increasing population and growing affluence driving a 60% increase in the demand for meat, milk and eggs. The company also says that producers will be required to make more from less, as, according to the World Wildlife Fund, the planet’s annual resources are already being over-used by about 50%.
Mr Cabral believes, however, this is a challenge which can be met.
“People and innovation are core to our success,” he said. “It’s amazing to see how Elanco has evolved, particularly our track record for successfully delivering innovation. And we aim to deliver more value to customers in the coming years than anyone else in the market. I am also confident that our strong heritage of innovation, creativity and knowledge-sharing will be key to getting there.”
