Taking an earlier post one step further...

An exploration into the notion of how Iowa farmers would fare in feeding
the world produced an unlikely result: the soy and corn crops of
thirty-five Iowa(s) would feed the worlds population at 3500 Cal./day.
Further comparison with total area in cultivation worldwide is more
curious. I would appreciate a review of my figuring if someone is willing.

Estimated world population 5/23/03 = 6,294,523,715 human beings

World kcal. requirements @ 3500 Kcal./day/human being = 2.20308E+13 kcal.

World kcal. requirements/year = 8.04125E+15 kcal.

Iowa 2002 corn = 1,960,000,000 bushels
Iowa 2002 soy = 494,900,000 bushels

Iowa 2002 corn @ 56 lb./bushel =1.0976E+11 lbs.
Iowa 2002 soy @ 60 lb./bushel = 2.9694E+10 lbs.

Kcal./lb corn = 1828 kcal./lb
Kcal./lb soy = 1579 kcal./lb

Kcal. Iowa corn 2002 = 1.7331E+14 kcal.
Kcal. Iowa soy 2002 = 5.4281E+13 kcal.

Total kcal. Iowa corn & soy 2002 = 2.27592E+14 kcal/year

World annual kcal. requirements/ Iowa 2002 corn & soy kcal. production =
35.33


So, by the number, an area of roughly thirty five times that which Iowa
has in corn and soy production could feed the world's population at 3500
Kcal/day.

Taking it one step further, we can compare the acreage Iowa has in corn
and soy with the total acreage in cultivation worldwide. Figures as
follows:

Iowa 2001 soy =11,000 acres
Iowa 2001 corn =11,700 acres
Total Iowa acres = 22,700 acres

Total world cultivation = 17,820,900 sq. kilometers
Total world cultivation = 4,403,483,977 acres (@ 247.01 acres/sq.kilometer
)
Ratio - Total world cultivation/Total Iowa acres = 193,986


So, while a hypothetical area roughly 35 times that of Iowa's in corn
and soy should be sufficient to feed every person on the planet; an
actual area roughly 194,000 times that of Iowa's is insufficient.

Somewhat surprising, yes? Illumination?

My thanks,
Don Foster
Colorado