Speaking with DairyReporter.com ahead of the IDF World Dairy Summit in Vilnius, Bronius Markauskas, chairman of the event's organising committee, said between 1.5tn and 3tn extra litres of milk per year will be required to meet the dairy nutrition needs of the global population in 2050.
"Even a low end estimate of 1.5tn litres requires more than a doubling of current production," said Markauskas, who is also president of the Lithuanian National IDF Committee and vice-chairman of the Chamber of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania.
"Clearly this is an enormous challenge, and particularly as we must produce this milk sustainably."
“The world needs nutritional security, and we must provide this both safely and sustainably. Using the upcoming IDF World Dairy Summit and best available scientific and evidence-based information, we will strive to support the sector to overcome the challenges in these areas.”
"Pressing issues"
Representatives from many, if not all, IDF member countries and around 160 speakers are set to descend on the Lithuanian capital for the World Dairy Summit 2015, which runs between September 20 and 24.
"Renowned scientists, political decision-makers, dairy production and farming experts as well as other dairy professionals from the EU, China, Russia, USA and other countries will gather in Vilnius to share their expertise on what we know to be the most pressing issues in today's global dairy sector," said Markauskas.
It kicks off with the Dairy Farmers Forum on September 20, which Markauskas described as a "new platform for dairy farmers to discuss issues of interest and learn from each other."
Day two begins with the World Dairy Leaders Forum. Gerda Verburg, chairman of the United Nations (UN) Committee on World Food Security (CFS), will “set the tone” with her presentation, The Challenge of Global Food Security and Nutrition.
Also taking to the stage are Shri T Nanda Kumar, chairman of the National Dairy Development Board of India (NDDB), Wang Liming, chief engineer at the Chinese Ministry of Industry and IT, Dr Berhe Tekola, director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Animal Production and Health Division, and Dennis Jönsson, the CEO of Tetra Pak.
"Strong dairy sector"
Given the global impact of decisions made on the back of the World Dairy Summit, it is important the event is held in a country with a "strong dairy sector" and the ability to "showcase the most advanced technologies in the field," said Markauskas.
"Lithuania is exactly such a country - albeit small, it has a strong and advanced dairy sector with big ambitions for growth."
"Lithuanians have a lot to showcase - a number of different technical tours will provide a perfect opportunity to explore the most advanced dairy farms, processing facilities and research centres of Lithuania," he said.
"Moreover, the scientific programme features many local speakers, who are definitely going to provide many good cases analyses from the Lithuanian dairy sector," he added.