No matter how limited the supply of primary materials (rock phosphate) is for the production of P based fertilizer, it is highly unlikely that P use for global food production will decline in the new future. This together with the increase in world population that global phosphorus scarcity will be one of the major factors along with water and energy that could threaten global food security. Despite this there have been limited attempts to address global P scarcity. Optimizing agricultural practices while exploring innovative approaches to sustainable use can reduce environmental pressures and enhance the long-term supply of this important nutrient. Clearly, the diminishing supply of phosphate rock is the ticking time bomb that if not managed will severely impact sustainable food production and through this global food security.
In this paper we address major opportunities for enhancing the continued supply of rock phosphate by developing strategies that minimise the use of P based fertilizers. We encourage recovery and reuse of phosphorus from municipal and other waste products and in the efficient use in agriculture of both phosphatic mineral fertilizer and animal manure