Can crop science really help us to produce more better-quality food while reducing the world-wide environmental footprint of agriculture?

Abstract

This paper reviews recent developments in crop science that can be the basis of a revolution in the global food system but it is also emphasized that such a revolution requires more than changes in food production and supply. We must more effectively feed a growing global population with a healthy diet while also defining and delivering the kinds of sustainable food systems that will minimise damage to our planet. There are exciting new developments in crop production biology but much existing crop science can be exploited to increase yields with the aid of a knowledge exchange (KE) framework requiring the use of new technology now available to most people across the globe. We discuss novel approaches at both the plant and the crop level that will enhance nutrient and water productivity and we also outline ways in which energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced and labor shortages combatted. Exploitation of new biology and new engineering opportunities will require development of public-private partnerships and collaborations across the disciplines to allow us to move effectively from discovery science to practical application. It is also important that consumers contribute to the debate over proposed changes to food and farming and so effective KE mechanisms are required between all relevant communities.

Agriculture Green Development: a model for China and the world

“…The massive amount of N that have leached into water bodies in China, remained in soil, or has been lost to the atmosphere through ammonia volatilization or nitrification-denitrification, has created an unstable vicious cycle and thus has impaired the development of increased environmental sustainability [23][24][25] . Achieving green crop production is critical for addressing the challenges of ensuring food security and environmental protection [26,27] .…”

“…With rapidly increasing population and living standards, China will have to produce more plant and animal products to meet food demand in the near future, but the environment faces huge pressure [27] . For example, under the current high N fertilization practice in the winter wheatsummer maize rotation system, more than 70% of N applied to crops is lost to the environment [41] .…”

Sustainable Agri-Food Systems: Environment, Economy, Society, and Policy

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