DuPont Leader Says Increasing Food Production a Moral ...( Both Biotech...)

Both Biotech and Native Traits Needed to Sustainably Feed Growing Population

Rome (PRWEB) September 8, 2009 -- Ensuring food security for a growing world population is a moral imperative and plant breeders are being challenged to develop sustainable solutions using innovation that involves novel approaches and techniques to meet future demands, William S. Niebur, vice president - DuPont Crop Genetics Research & Development, told the second annual World Seed Conference here. Niebur's remarks reflect DuPont's recently announced commitment to focus on meeting four emerging global trends, one of which is increasing food production.

"We know some will want to debate methods and processes, the science, or our motives; but at the end of the day it is up to us as plant breeders to do everything we possibly can to help ensure no individual goes hungry," said Niebur.

Agricultural output will need to double by 2050 to feed more than 9 billion people, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This increased productivity will need to occur as available arable land and resources shift, remain unchanged, or in some areas, decrease.

“To continue improving the aggressive rate of genetic gain required to feed the world, plant breeders must access global talent, intellect and energy to develop sustainable solutions that result in increased agricultural productivity,” said Niebur. “We need to ensure farmers have t
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