2 October 2009
BSPB welcomes renewed global emphasis on genetic yield gains

A new discussion paper recently issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has concluded that producing enough food for 2.3 billion extra people by 2050 will depend on increasing crop productivity, not farming more land.

 According to FAO, around 90% of the required production gains will be achieved by higher crop yields and increased cropping intensity on existing farmland. Only 10% will come from bringing new land into cultivation.

 The FAO paper, entitled ‘The Technology Challenge’, was issued in preparation for high-level food security talks in Rome on 12-13 October. It forecasts that achieving a 70% increase in agricultural productivity by 2050 will require a sharp increase in public expenditure on agricultural research and development, and the widespread adoption of new technologies and practices.

 Investment in plant breeding is singled out as a major priority area to develop the improved crop varieties needed to increase yields, reduce losses and make agriculture more resilient to climate-induced stresses and water shortage. 

  “It is increasingly evident that the genetic improvement of crops – delivered to the market place by modern plant breeding programmes – will be the single most important factor in boosting agricultural productivity for the foreseeable future,” said Dr Thomas Jolliffe, BSPB Chairman.

 “We certainly welcome the renewed high-level interest in our sector, and a recognition that increased investment in plant breeding is needed to deliver the required gains in the crop yield, quality and climate resilience.”   

 Notes:

The FAO document ‘The Technology Challenge’ is available at: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/wsfs/docs/Issues_papers/HLEF2050_Technology.pdf