Summary
Current trends suggest that we need a second "Green Revolution" to feed the growing population on the land currently available for cultivation.
Predictions suggest that by 2050, current crop yields must double in order to keep pace with the increasing world population. But with little uncultivated prime arable land remaining, yields must increase still further on land already used for food production.
Analysis
We need to produce twice the amount of grain we are producing currently in order to meet the demands of the ever increasing population. It is estimated that the world population would be more than 9.5 billion by the year 2050.
The question is that how can we assure the scientists, farmers and researchers that GM crops will help in feeding the world population. Currently we see that most of the GM crops are being utilized for world’s livestock, its cotton mills, and its biofuels industry. The important thing is that most of the GM crops have to be targeted for humans use. Food vs fuel debate is getting more and more important these days.
Another important thing is that because land and water resources are scarce, 90 percent of that growth will have to come from higher yields. But growth in crop yields is down to one to two percent a year. Industrialized farming is reaching the limits of natural photosynthesis, the source of all plant growth.
Second green revolution seems a must at this point of time. This time around it would mainly be a "GENE REVOLUTION " as indicated by the Late Nobel Laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug. This means we are moving from "GREEN REVOLUTION TO GENE REVOLUTION".
Dr. Borlaug was convinced that GM fit the bill. “I believe genetically modified food crops will stop world hunger,” he said in 2002. The only way forward is a deep collaboration between Conventional Breeders and Biotechnologists.
Last but not the least, the GM Industry hasn’t yet tackled that colossal task. It is currently dominated by four crops—soybean, maize, cotton, and rapeseed (canola). Staple foods critical to the world’s poor, like rice and wheat, are still missing, reflecting concerns about putting GM material directly into peoples’ mouths.
This author consults with leading institutions through GLG
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
