Northwest Europe has reduced farm inputs without sacrificing food production

Farms in Northwest Europe use fewer inputs than they did in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly land, but strong productivity growth has enabled them to produce a consistent amount of food. These nations' agricultural policies emphasize conserving resources without reducing output.

Figure shows an economic index of all agricultural inputs and outputs with 1961 as the base year.
Chart: The Conversation, CC BY-ND Source: USDA ERS Get the data