The Hindu Business Line : Monsanto’s sustainability programme to double yields

Recently in St. Louis, USIn a significant response to the ongoing food crisis fostered by growing demand, limited natural resources and changing climate, Monsanto Company has unveiled a three-point commitment to double yield in three major crops (corn, soyabean and cotton), make more efficient use of natural resources and improve farmers’ lives.

Doubling the yield

The global seed major’s commitment to growing yields sustainably includes development of better seeds through research programs for the three crops with diversified use as food, feed, fibre and fuel.

According to the company, its research pipeline uses more precise breeding techniques to develop higher-yielding germplasm, while other technologies result in plant traits that provide better protection against pests and better weed control.

Monsanto’s objective is to double yield for these three crops by the year 2030 in countries where farmers have access to current and anticipated new seed choices.

In addition, the company will establish a $10- million grant for rice and wheat research over five years to be administered by a panel of world experts on food production in developing countries.

Conserving resources

In terms of conserving resources, Monsanto’s research pipeline includes newcorn, soyabean and cotton products that will result in more production with minimal use of a per unit of land, and reduced use of energy, fertiliser and water.

The company’s goal is to reduce by one-third the cumulative amount of key resources like land, water and energy required per unit of output.

As part of its drive towards sustainability, the company will undertake a series of partnerships that will address key environmental issues associated with agriculture.

The third element of Monsanto’s commitment to sustainability is to improve the lives of farmers, including smallholder and resource-poor farmers.

Aiding the ryots

Part of this commitment is offering products that increase productivity and reduce the risks of farming, such as fewer inputs to manage insects, weeds and other yield-robbing stresses.

According to Mr Hugh Grant, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Monsanto, the world faces significant food price inflation for the first time in decades, driven largely by the demand for higher-protein diets in such countries as China and India, and energy prices that have quadrupled over the past five years. Monsanto spends an average of more than $ 2 million a day on agricultural research, he pointed out.

Senior company officials asserted that the sustainability campaign will see farmers and other stakeholders engaged in the venture.

The programme will be country-specific and the company will tie-up with specialised agencies, a senior official said.

However, details of total investment envisaged for the sustainability program and periodic targets, if any, were not made available.