An Industry Perspective on Serving Global Customers and the Environment.

The Green Revolution of the 1960’s improved yields of wheat and rice, improved utilization of land, labor, water, and fertilizer inputs, and kept rice and wheat prices lower by half or more, thereby reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.  Production agriculture is facing similar if not greater challenges than 50 years ago.  While we may be able to increase food and feed production to meet global demands, we must at the same time work towards alleviating poverty, achieving better health and nutrition, and conserving natural resources.  Technology exists today, and new technology is in the pipeline, to help farmers meet these demands.  The development of hybrids, for example, has created productivity unmatched by most other cropping systems in both stressful and optimal growing conditions.  Transgenic traits have likewise protected yields while improving the efficiency of labor, pesticides, and fertilizers thereby providing environmental benefits.  Agronomic advances have also provided farmers with the tools to use fertilizer, water, and their soil resource more effectively.  Meeting the complex demands of food security, improving socio-economics globally,  and protecting the environment will require an all-in attitude toward global technology adoption and use of resources.