New Report says Biotechnology is among the Key Forces reshaping World Agriculture
Biotechnology is among the leading factors currently reshaping the future of world agriculture, according to a recent published report.
The report, “Forces Reshaping World Agriculture,” was written by Jeremy Mattson and Won Koo of the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies at North Dakota State University. In the report, the authors examine many of the forces likely to reshape world agriculture, both now and in the future. These forces include agricultural policy, trade issues, significant movements in production and consumption in developing countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and China, and agricultural research and development, especially biotechnology.
Biotechnology was cited as a key factor in reshaping world agriculture because the technology enables farmers and growers to increase their productivity and crop yields despite limited available land. Biotechnology also leads to better quality foods that are lower in cost for consumers.
The authors point out that the growth of agriculture in areas like the United States depends upon increases in productivity. Since there is little land available for the expansion of agricultural production in the United States, this growth will require increased yields in crops. Competitiveness among exports will also depend upon relative growth in productivity against major competitors, and future growth in productivity will also be influenced by current and future agricultural research, especially public research.
“New developments that could lead to further productivity increases include improved technologies for nutrient, soil, water, pest management, precision agriculture, and agricultural biotechnology. The emergence of biotechnology could especially have a significant impact on productivity worldwide,” the authors write.
The report states that farmers benefit from the use of genetically modified (GM) crops through increased weed and insect control, which could lead to increased yields and decreased pesticide use and costs. Despite consumer concerns, the trend toward biotechnology and genetically modified crops is likely to continue because of the benefits and the gains it provides to farmers. While current biotech crops have been developed mainly to improve agricultural production, the authors write that future biotech crops could be introduced that have qualities such as increased nutritional content or other characteristics that would ultimately benefit the consumer.
“Consumer response to the further adoption of biotech crops is uncertain, but it may become more favorable as these crops are developed with more obvious benefits for consumers,” the authors state.
This new report is great news. Since the first genetically modified crops were introduced, biotechnology has helped to increase agricultural production around the world. The technology has led to higher yielding crop varieties, lower cost foods, and less reliance on pesticides and herbicides. As the population around the world increases, I believe that biotechnology is going to be relied upon even more for its advancements, including producing better nutritional foods, crops that can grow in drought conditions, and even plant made medicines to treat various diseases. I think that individuals and consumers should embrace the benefits that biotechnology can provide them and look positively on what the technology can bring to the rest of the world, both now and in the future.
