14 DAY TRIAL // Alisa Baumer of GMO Food For Thought, chronicles the just released report by scientists at North Dakota State University, in the U.S, that identifies biotechnology as among the key forces reshaping world agriculture.
The report, Forces Reshaping World Agriculture, was written by Jeremy Mattson and Won Koo, of the university's Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies.
The scientists examined various forces that could reshape world agriculture, such as agricultural policies, trade issues, significant movements in production and consumption in developing countries, and agricultural research and development, such as biotechnology.
The report cites biotechnology as the key factor in reshaping world agriculture because it enables farmers and growers to increase their productivity and crop yields despite limited available land.
It notes that farmers benefit from the use of genetically modified (GM) crops through increased weed and insect control, which they said could lead to increased yields and decreased pesticide use and costs.
"New developments that could lead to further productivity increases include improved technologies for nutrient, soil, water, pest management, precision agriculture, and agricultural biotechnology. The emergence of biotechnology could especially have a significant impact on productivity worldwide," observes the report.
To read more about the report, go to GMO Food For Thought.