Plant Science Technologies Help Preserve Biodiversity While Increasing Food Production
– CropLife International Welcomes International Day for Biological
Diversity
Plant science innovations are key to helping farmers conserve
biodiversity while providing a sustainable food supply to meet global demand.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that food
production needs to increase by 70% if we are to feed nine billion in 2050.
To achieve this, a further 30 million hectares of cropland may be needed
(OECD). If biodiversity is to be preserved, the amount of parkland, forests
and natural habitats brought into agricultural use must be minimised. Recent
data from the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership and the UN show that
further biodiversity loss is likely.
“We have much of the knowledge and technology that is needed to preserve
and enhance biodiversity. We need to globally coordinate policies that
recognise the role of this knowledge and technology, and better facilitate
the conservation of critical biodiversity,” said CropLife International CEO
and President,
Plant science technologies, including crop protection and plant
biotechnology, help farmers increase the productivity of existing arable land
in use, significantly reducing the need to expand agricultural land, and
therefore limiting the loss of biodiversity and natural habitats.
Biotech crops are already contributing to higher yields for many farmers
around the world. The Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR) believes that biotech crops have the potential to increase
yields globally by up to 25%. Plant breeding practices, including
biotechnology, have further led to an increase in the genetic variety of
crops, as shown in a recent study of crop diversity over the past forty years
by the Dutch Centre for Genetic Resources. New breeding techniques make it
easier and faster for breeders to introduce improved, new varieties.
Crop protection products increase agricultural productivity by reducing
crop losses to pests and disease. Without this technology, yield losses would
double to reach 40-80%. In addition, these products are critical to
protecting local biodiversity from the impact of invasive alien species, such
as the salt cedar tree in the US, which can consume up to 1,000 litres of
water in one day, as well as increasing the salinity of surrounding water and
soil.
Every year, CropLife International’s stewardship programmes help
250,000-350,000 farmers access training in sustainable, locally adapted
farming practices including Integrated Crop Management (ICM), Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) and conservation tillage, all of which make significant
contributions to biological diversity.
CropLife International, says, “Agriculture is both reliant on a rich
ecosystem, and a vital force in maintaining it. Farmers today face a double
challenge of having to increase their productivity while preserving the rich
biodiversity upon which long-term food security depends.”
Note to Editors:
CropLife International is the global federation representing the plant
science industry. It supports a network of regional and national associations
in 91 countries, and is led by companies such as BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow
AgroSciences, DuPont, FMC, Monsanto, Sumitomo and Syngenta. CropLife
International promotes the benefits of crop protection and biotechnology
products, their importance to sustainable agriculture and food production,
and their responsible use through stewardship activities.
For further information, please contact:
Anna Riley,
Communications Manager,
CropLife International,
Avenue Louise 326, Box 35,
Brussels B-1050
Belgium
Tel: +32(0)475-489229
Fax: +32(0)2-542-0419
E-mail: anna.riley@croplife.org
http://www.croplife.org
SOURCE CropLife International