Tomorrow’s challenge: By 2050, United Nations’ experts say our planet must double food production to feed an anticipated population of 9.3 billion people.
A dwindling water supply coupled with farmers in need, increased demands for energy, and a rapidly changing climate have placed more pressures on agriculture than ever before. How do we overcome these obstacles? Understanding all the challenges is the first step to creating solutions. Innovation holds the key.
Climate change poses serious threats to global food security. Variability in climate can make farming a very risky business, especially for the many millions of farmers who rely on rainfall to water their crops.
Many experts agree that the impacts of climate change will likely be more severe in some of the poorest regions around the world. By 2020, as many as 250 million people in Africa will be exposed to water stress due to climate change, according to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). They also project that farmers who practice rainfed agriculture could see a 50 percent reduction in yield in the coming decade.
Advanced farming techniques can help in two ways: by mitigating climate change impacts and by helping plants adapt to increased stresses of changing climate conditions. A recent study by Stanford University found that advances in high-yield agriculture are helping to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Explore this month’s spotlight to learn more.
Report: “Agricultural biotechnology offers significant improvements in soil, water and air quality Biotechnology is helping farmers produce more crops while reducing their environmental impact.
Biotechnology for Sustainability Guest contributor Kent J. Bradford discusses how biotech can help agriculture become more sustainable.
Farmers and Scientists: Working Together to Improve Lives and the Environment With the population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, agriculture is faced with the challenge to increase
Farmer Art Enns on Biotechnology Play video Art Enns discusses how biotechnology is beneficial to his production of canola and soybeans.
Farmer Fred Meister on Biotech Crops Play video Farmer Fred Meister discusses the benefits of biotech crops, including reduced tillage and higher yields.
Farmer Robert Tuck on Sustainable Agriculture Play video Fourth-generation farmer Robert Tuck discusses the benefits of biotechnology on growing cotton, as well as the environmental benefits to his farm.
June 16, 2010
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Read about the evidence, outcomes and environmental impacts of biotech crops in a report from PG Economics.
Learn more about how climate change will affect agriculture and production of crops.
Read our white paper that articulates the challenges for agriculture, the environment, farmers and future generations.
PNAS report on improving the levels of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture
FAO report reviewing the current state of knowledge on the vulnerability, impact and adaptation of African agriculture and natural resources to climate change.
Read about this project that's providing "better tools, better harvests, better lives" to farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Explore progress being made in sustainable agriculture around the world.
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