News

Bill Niebur

Science will enable farmers to produce enough grain to meet the growing demand for food, biofuels and materials if pubic and private agriculture enterprises, regulators and policymakers from around the globe take a more holistic approach to the solution, Bill Niebur, vice president, DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development, said on Thursday in Arlington, Va.

Speaking to agricultural leaders at the Informa Economics 17th Annual Food & Agricultural Policy Conference, Bill said that emerging opportunities for the use of biomass to replace petroleum coupled with the specter of hunger have raised questions about whether farmers can produce enough grain to feed the world and meet the demand for biofuels and biomaterials.

Improved genetics, advanced management practices and new technologies have helped U.S. maize growers increase average corn yields 40 percent in the last 20 years.

“The question of whether science can supply the world’s growing appetite for grain can be answered with a resounding ‘yes’ if we tap all of the talent and tools that are available,” Bill said.  “Public and private sector players must collaborate using cutting-edge science and top talent on a global scale to maximize the productivity of the world’s farmers.”

Bill stressed that for global science and talent to be fully used, transparent and science-based policies and regulations must be in place on a global scale to ensure more efficient adoption of new products and technologies and to increase access to safe, nutritious food.

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