Sustainability and food safety together with science is needed for future crop production
Feeding more people sustainably and safely, supported by innovation and science, was identified as agriculture’s biggest global challenge at an international conference held in Charlotte North Carolina this week. CropWorld North America heard from a range of industry experts who highlighted the importance of science and technology in creating sustainable food production.
The conference addressed how sustainable agriculture can work in partnership with innovation and science and new technologies can provide farmers and growers with the tools to increase the sustainability of agricultural production coupled with improved profitability and food safety.
Opening the CropWorld North America Bryan Dierlam, Director, Federal Government Relations, Cargill, Inc gave an overview of the current policy challenges and opportunities to ensure abundant, safe, sustainable food for global consumers.
“When it comes to sustainability we work in a transparent world and the public and politicians are requiring agricultural companies and producers to be held accountable as to what they think sustainability should be, “ said Mr Dierlam. He went on to address issues including the volatility in crop production, prices being paid to farmers, the increase demand for food and especially protein, global supply chains and giving farmers the choice in all countries of growing GM or conventional crops.
Addressing the issue of food security Richard Gupton from the Agricultural Retailers Association highlighted the global challenges facing agriculture with an increase in world population and a growing demand for foods particularly in China.
“The challenge we have is to double food production by 2050, “said Mr Gupton. “This is set against a finite supply of arable land, tighter supplies of water, the position of new technology and growing regulatory restraints.”
According to Jamie Eichorn from Syngenta’s Specialist Crops, growers required integrated solutions. “New technologies and strategic partnerships and delivering innovative ways for growers around the world to plant, and grow, harvest and deliver crops sustainably were needed,” he said.
Speaking at the event Clare King, Director of CropWord said, “This was a great forum for debate and discussion on the key issues of sustainability and the role of science in meeting global food needs. Many of the issues raised here will be taken forward for further discussion at CropWorld Global, held in London in November this year. “
For more information about CropWorld go to www.cropworld.com
ENDS
Further details are available from Clare King, Event Director or Louise Slade, Marketing Executive, UBM Conferences. Please contact clare.king@ubm.com or louise.slade@ubm.com or call +44 (0)20 7560 4364 /+44 (0)207 955 3742.
CropWord North America 2012 and CropWord Global are organised by UBM. UBM uses it experience in overseas markets to complement and build on the global series of CropWorld conferences and exhibitions taking place in North America, Europe, South America, India and Asia.
CropWorld Global will take place in London from the 6th to the 8th November 2012.
ABOUT UBM
UBM Plc is a leading global business media company which informs markets and brings the world’s buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print and provides them with the information they need to do business successfully.
UBM Conferences operates internationally across all UBM’s division to bring its unrivalled content and though leadership to marketers and business professionals across a wide range of markets.
Further details are available at www.ubm.com
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