How Can Science Help Secure The World's Food Supply? Royal Society Asks

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 08 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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A major study exploring how science can enhance global food-crop production has been launched by the Royal Society (1), the UK's national academy of science, recently.

In the light of growing concerns about the long-term sufficiency and sustainability of the world's food supplies, the Society has assembled a working group of expert scientists and economists, drawn from the UK's leading research institutes.

They will undertake an assessment of a wide range of biological approaches which have been proposed for improving crop yields.

The group will also assess the barriers which stand in the way of scientists developing these techniques, and applying them to enhancing food production.

Their report will set out the steps which governments might take now, to ensure that, in the coming decades, the farmers of the developed and the developing world are fully equipped to feed their growing communities.

Professor David Baulcombe, of the University of Cambridge, Chair of the Royal Society's working group(2), said: "With the world's population projected to surpass 9 billion by 2050(3), our demand for food seems certain to outstrip that which we can supply, by our current methods of agriculture.

"Add to that various other uncertain factors including water availability, fuel costs, competition for land use and climate change, and it is clear we are facing serious concerns over the long-term security and sufficiency of our food resources.

"It is critical that we explore now the ways in which science can help us to improve the yields we achieve from the limited land we have available. The Royal Society's aim is to identify those techniques which can enhance both the quantity and the nutritional value of the food we produce.

"We will also identify the barriers in the way of developing these techniques and technologies. For instance, we must ask whether we are investing heavily enough in crop science research, and whether there are any regulatory hurdles which are discouraging scientists from developing new technologies.

"Clearly, science alone cannot solve the world's projected food shortages, but it can offer us many valuable tools in the battle to feed the world's growing population."

The Society's working group will evaluate scientific approaches which may have the potential to increase crop yields, enhance nutritional value, minimise waste, increase resource-use efficiency, and reduce reliance on non-renewable inputs.

These approaches may include the optimisation of the genetic make-up of crops, via selective breeding of desirable traits, or by modification.

The group will also look at biocontrol - natural methods of tackling crop pests, such as by introducing predators. The other techniques to be considered include the identification of novel genetic markers in crop species, to aid crop selection.

The working group will also assess barriers to the effective introduction and use of these biological approaches. These may include regulatory hurdles, the adequacy of the skills base and research infrastructure, knowledge and technology transfer, and intellectual property rights.

Professor Baulcombe added: "If we are to take full advantage of the benefits which science can offer to food production, then we must act now, by identifying valuable science technologies, investing in research, and by laying the regulatory framework to bring these technologies to market.

"In this way, we can do our best to ensure that these technologies bear fruit in time to help farmers across the world to meet the growing demands of their communities."

The study will cover food crops grown for both human and animal consumption. But it will not directly consider non-food crops (such as biofuels) or dairy, livestock and fish production.

Individuals and organisations that are interested in contributing evidence to this study should contact the Royal Society, or see the website: http://www.royalsociety.org/policy.

Notes

1. The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. It responds to individual demand with selection by merit, not by field. As we prepare for our 350th anniversary in 2010, we are working to achieve five strategic priorities, to:

- Invest in future scientific leaders and in innovation
- Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice
- Invigorate science and mathematics education
- Increase access to the best science internationally
- Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientific discovery

2. The members of the working group are:

Professor David Baulcombe FRS, Professor of Botany, University of Cambridge
Professor Ian Crute, Director, Rothamsted Research
Professor Bill Davies, Director, Lancaster Environment Centre
Professor Jim Dunwell, Professor of Plant Biotechnology, University of Reading
Professor Mike Gale FRS, John Innes Foundation Emeritus Fellow and Professorial Fellow, University of East Anglia
Professor Jonathan Jones FRS, Senior Scientist, Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre
Professor Jules Pretty OBE, Professor of Environment and Society, University of Essex
Professor William Sutherland, Professor of Conservation Biology, University of Cambridge
Dr Camilla Toulmin, Director, International Institute for Environment and Development

3. Figure sourced from the UN World Population Prospect: the 2006 Revision.

The Royal Society, London