FACT SHEET

INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE
Globally, while production of major crops has more than tripled since 1960, challenges such as population growth and climate change mean that innovation in plant science and sustainable agriculture is more important than ever. The plant science industry can play a significant role in helping to sustainably supply food, feed, fibre and fuel to people around the world -- now and in the future. Increased yields, reduced crop losses from pests and disease, and less spoilage after harvest are just some of the benefits of innovation in agriculture that we all enjoy today and will all need in the future. Agriculture is More Productive than Ever Today, farmers worldwide are producing more than ever. Globally, production of major crops has more than tripled in the last 50 years. Yields for rice, the worlds most important staple crop, have more than doubled and yields for soybean have gone up about 100% 1 . Challenges for the Future Increasing Demand: With world population expected to reach over 9 billion by 2050, global demand for food is projected to increase by at least 2.5 times over current levels. The need for animal feed, fibre for clothing and other materials and fuel will also grow. Limited Resources: There is less cropland per person than ever; increased future demand will threaten expansion into fragile environments and forests. Today, 70% of the worlds water is used for agriculture.
THE HISTORY OF HUMAN PROGRESS IS ALSO A HISTORY OF INNOVATION. [] INNOVATION IS ABOUT IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS, CURING DISEASES AND SOLVING ENERGY, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS." ANGEL GURRIA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE OECD (NOV. 2007)

Climate Change: The impact of a changing world climate will be felt wherever crops are grown. Climate-related crop failures and livestock deaths are already imposing high economic losses and undermining food security in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, and they are projected to become far more severe and widespread. Meeting the needs of farmers in developing countries: More than one billion farmers (80% of the world farmers) live in poverty, without reliable access to current agriculture technology, credit, advanced farming knowledge or techniques, or markets. As a result, some key crops in developing countries reach only 20% of the level of the productivity that is enjoyed elsewhere.

There is no single "silver bullet" that will meet all of these challenges. We need innovative ways of working with existing agriculture tools as well as developing new technologies, and making them readily available to farmers.

Sharing Existing Tools and Techniques

FAO Statistical Database

Conservation Tillage minimizes or eliminates tilling the soil with the help of specially chosen herbicides and crop varieties, using less labor and less fuel for machinery. In 2005, this practice reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 962 million kg the equivalent to removing more than 400,000 cars from the road. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies produce quality crop yields with techniques that minimize environmental impacts. Farmers actively work to prevent or limit pest outbreaks and use mechanical, biological, chemical or other controls only as needed. Improved Seeds, including biotech-derived seeds, help increase yields and productivity. South African farmers growing biotech insect-resistant corn saw yields increase by 32%, while in the Philippines, farmers using biotech corn and skills from Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training have seen their crop yields double.

IN THE 1980S AND 1990S, IMPROVED

VARIETIES ARE ESTIMATED TO HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR AS MUCH AS 50 % OF YIELD GROWTH, COMPARED WITH 21% IN THE PRECEDING TWO DECADES. POOR CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES. WITHOUT THOSE GAINS IN YIELDS, WORLD CEREAL PRICES WOULD HAVE BEEN 1821% HIGHER IN 2000, CALORIC AVAILABILITY PER CAPITA IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WOULD HAVE BEEN 47% LOWER, 1315 MILLION MORE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS MALNOURISHED, AND MANY MORE HECTARES OF FOREST AND OTHER FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS WOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CULTIVATION. (WORLD BANK REPORT 2008)

Innovative New Technologies Drought Tolerance: Drought tolerant crop varieties that allow plants to survive when water is scarce are being developed through advanced breeding and biotechnology. Nitrogen Fixing: Creating plants that use nitrogen more efficiently can reduce the need for added fertilizer, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Salinity Tolerance: Saline soils are generally unproductive for crops. Salt-tolerant crops will allow land that has been stressed by climate change to be more productive. Green Power: Biofuels offer a cleaner source of power. Increasing starch content, utility of stalks leaves and other plant parts, along with greater productivity, is important to the sustainability of biofuels.

Our Commitment to Innovation in Agriculture The private sector is a major contributor to Agricultural research spending (2006) agricultural research and development, bringing these and other innovative new Total $36.8 billion products to farmers around the world. Developing
Industrialized Private $1.1 billion

Public $10.2 billion

Public $12.9 billion

Our Resources: The top ten plant science companies employ over 15,000 scientists and spend approximately US$5 billion annually to develop new technologies and products. This level of investment is comparable to other highly innovative sectors like pharmaceuticals and information technology.

Pro-Innovation Policies: We support policies that promote investment and innovation in Source: CGIAR agriculture, including science-based regulation of new technology and protection of intellectual property rights. These also provide incentives for companies to adapt products to developing country needs.
Private $12.6 billion

- July 2009 For more information, visit www.croplife.org

Public agriculture research: Agriculture research in sub-Saharan Africa reduces the number of poor by 2.3 million or 0.8% annually 2 . But government spending is declining in some regions, and CropLife International joins others in urging greater public investments in agriculture research. Public-Private Partnerships: The plant science industry is committed to participating in networks of private companies, public agencies, and non-governmental organizations to develop and scale-up agriculture innovation so that it reaches those who need it the most.

Fostering innovation and rewarding creativity and its contribution to society is essential to meet future needs. CropLife International and its members are here to help sustainably supply food, feed, fibre and fuel to people around the world.

The impact of agricultural research on productivity and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, by: Arega D. Alene, Ousmane Coulibaly, Food Policy, Vol. 34, No. 2. (April 2009), pp. 198-209. - July 2009 For more information, visit www.croplife.org