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Will New technologies save the planet? An Agricultural Perspective. David C. Heering, Ph.D Monsanto Company. What will drive the next decade in farming?. Demand for food, feed and fuel: - High yield farming essential - Technology and management saves habitats
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Will New technologies save the planet? An Agricultural Perspective. David C. Heering, Ph.D Monsanto Company
What will drive the next decade in farming? • Demand for food, feed and fuel: • - High yield farming essential • - Technology and management saves habitats • Limiting factors: Water/Land • - 70% of fresh water used in agriculture (FAO) • Global challenges: Climate change • - Carbon footprint of fuel AND food production • Human nutrition and health: • - Improved oils; vitamins • - Ever increasing demands for healthy diet
Technology’s Impact On Crop Yields Source: March 2006. Crop Science. Ref# 46:528-543 US CORN YIELDS from 1865 to the present
Yield I Feed: 2nd Gen. high-value corn with lysine* Feed: High Protein Soy* OmniSoy CRWIII HBC a’ Bt/RR2 SCN YGVT PRO Stacks Soy Protein Cold Processing: High Oil Soy* High Stearate Rust RR2Y Drought II Feed: HVS* Dicamba Disease Mavera high-value corn with lysine* Yield Nitrogen Drought I YGVT Stacks Omega-3 RR2+ Yield RHS Canola Renessen corn processing system* Modified Oil Canola Commercialization dependent on many factors, including successful conclusion of regulatory process * Renessen is a Monsanto/Cargill joint venture Future biotech products: Monsanto corn and oilseed pipelines Nitrogen Utilisation Efficiency Drought Tolerance 2006 2007 2008 2009+ Omega 3 CORN OILSEEDS
Arabidopsis • control with gene Overcoming Insufficient Fresh Water for Crop Usage: Drought Tolerance • The Challenge • Agriculture is responsible for 70% of freshwater withdrawal (UNEP). • By 2025, Developing Countries will have ~ 300 Million MT grain deficits due to water scarcity • Drought Tolerance Product Concept • Yield gain through water use efficiency • Yield gain from water deficit tolerance • Benefits • Increased, more stable yield • Flexible Water Management • Reduced Water Consumption, Cost Savings
Sustainable Yield Initiative: Helping Farmers Grow Yields Sustainably Improved seeds and agronomics that reduce aggregate use of key resources by 1/3 per unit of output by 2030 vs. 2000 Conserve More Improved seeds and agronomics for corn, soy, & cotton farmers to double yields from 2000-2030 Produce More Improved seeds and agronomics proven to make farmers of all sizes more productive including >5M additional subsistence farmers by 2020 Improve Farmers’ Lives
Improve Farmers’ Lives • Example:Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) • Partnership approach: AATF, CYMMT, Monsanto, Gates Foundation, Buffet Foundation • Goal: Develop drought-tolerant corn hybrids for Africa • Countries Involved: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa • Goal: Improve the lives of an additional 5 million farm families in developing countries by 2020 Did you know? There are still nearly one billion people engaged in agriculture on a global basis.