VOA editorial: biotech solutions contribute to global food production

A Voice of America editorial cites the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future, as demonstrating that innovative agricultural technology solutions can help increase global food production.

“From investing in advanced seeds that tolerate drought and resist disease, to infrastructure and market development, this comprehensive approach to agricultural development will also stimulate sustainable economic growth.” Read more.     

UK ag minister discusses the benefits of biotech for the environment and food security

According to The Guardian, The UK’s agriculture minister, Jim Paice, said genetically modified (GM) crops could help to meet the rising food demand. Speaking at the annual Oxford Farming Conference, the article said his comments emphasized, “the promised benefits of GM varieties - which would need less nitrogen fertiliser, pesticides or fresh water than non-GM foods - could not be ignored, as demand was rising and pressure on resources and land increasing.” Read more.

Ambassador William Garvelink says biotech is important for world food security

Ambassador William Garvelink said in an interview with USAID’s publication Frontlines, “Genetically modified food, which is a little controversial in Europe and other places, is an important technology that will have to be used in the future to produce the amount of food the world’s populations will require.”

Ambassador Garvelink helped USAID to lead Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative to reduce hunger and malnutrition, particularly in the Horn of Africa. Read more.

Scientist explains biotech contributions to sustainable agriculture

Dr. Terry Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition for the Department of Dairy and Animal Science at Penn State University, discusses the importance of biotechnology for food production sustainability in the blog, Food Insight.

He explains, the “use of biotechnology has many benefits for agriculture that range from environmental to improved production efficiency.” Read more.