Dr. Nina Fedoroff responds to a question from Twitter users watching the panel

CBI attended a panel February 12 at the Newseum in Washington, DC about meeting food needs for the next generation. The panel was sponsored by CropLife International, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).

The event brought together agriculture and science experts from across the globe, including Dr.  Nina Fedoroff, Science and Technology Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State; Gale Buchanan, author, CAST report; Calestous Juma, Professor, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government; Robert Paarlberg, Professor, Wellesley College and Mark Cantley, former head of the European Commission’s “Concertation Unite for Biotechnology in Europe.” The panel was moderated by Frank Sesno, Director, School of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University.

The panel was a fascinating discussion about the factors challenging food production and the solutions that can help us overcome these challenges and feed a growing population. The panel responded to questions from the moderator, who posed questions from audience members and individuals submitted questions through a live Twitter feed, YouTube and email.

The rejection of science-based agriculture by some groups was discussed by the panelists.  Dr. Nina Fedoroff lamented the idea that “urban elites turned themselves against modern molecular biology” while overpopulation and a reduction in arable land is making it increasingly difficult for nations to feed themselves. According to Mark Cantley, there is a “murderous hypocrisy” on the part of some who want to save the lives of people in developing

Robert Paarlberg and Gale Buchanan discuss the future of agriculture

countries, yet deny them access to the technology that would make a real difference and truly save their lives.

In addition to discussing the challenges facing agriculture and the future of food production, the panelists talked about ways to achieve a consensus regarding the widespread implementation of agricultural biotechnology.

Ag biotech was also discussed as a method to mitigate the effects of a changing climate, such as through drought and flood tolerant crops. Gale Buchanan believes that we should invest in flood-tolerant rice and Dr. Nina Fedoroff sees the need for more research into developing crops that can grow in marginal systems so we can better manage water supply issues.

Of course, biotech is only one answer to the challenges of feeding the world. The experts added that increased and improved agricultural educational practices are needed to truly help farmers in the developing world. Education must be coupled with better coordination among governments and investment in financial services and transportation infrastructure for small farmers. Calestous Juma added at that building roads will do more for feeding agriculture than all the technology in the world.

The experts concluded the panel by providing a working definition for sustainable farming: using resources without running short. All experts agreed that there needs to be greater investment in agricultural research among governments in order to provide the tools for farmers to feed a growing world.

You can watch the video of the event here.

From L to R: Mark Cantley, Dr. Nina Fedoroff, Frank Sesno, Robert Paarlberg, Gale Buchanan, Calestous Juma

Indian farmer Rajesh Kumar published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal today that expresses his discontent with the Indian government’s recent decision to deny the use of genetically modified (GM) brinjal (eggplant) by Indian farmers.

Mr. Kumar describes the potential gains from GM brinjal, including the need for fewer pesticide applications since the crop has a built-in resistance to pests. He writes that this quality would allow for the cultivation of better and safer foods. Additionally, Mr. Kumar writes that the adoption of GM brinjal would be economically beneficial for India by improving farm production and thus reducing the economic disparity between the rich and poor in India. The opportunity for higher yields will also help fight malnutrition in India, a concern that is rising with the increasing population. 

Mr. Kumar recognizes that for India to compete and feed its growing population, the farmers must be allowed to participate in the “gene revolution” and utilize all available scientific tools.

You can read Rajesh Kumar’s entire op-ed here. Additionally, the Council for Biotechnology Information interviewed and videotaped Mr. Kumar at the annual World Food Prize Symposium in October 2009. You can watch a video that features an interview with him here.

The University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment produced an excellent video that asks the big question “how will we feed a growing population without destroying the planet?” The video shares some sobering facts that underline the enormity of the challenges before us, but also provides solutions and ideas on ways to improve agricultural productivity.

UMN Institute on the Environment Director Jonathan Foley wrote a piece that corresponds with the video and discusses “the other” inconvenient truth: “a global crisis in land use and agriculture that could undermine the health, security and sustainability of our civilization.”

You can watch the video below and also find it on the Institute’s site. You can read Mr. Foley’s piece here.

Russ Parsons published an interesting piece in the Los Angeles Times on January 6 about the realities of food and farming. He calls for “a more constructive give-and-take, the start of a true conversation” about our food production system.

Parsons lays out a few ground rules that will help us move towards a constructive conversation, which begins with the understanding that food production is a complicated issue. He reminds us that there is a shared motive on all sides of the conversation, and he is pleased to see a growing interest and awareness about the way food is grown and produced.

You can read the full article here