FAO Highlights Role of Genetic Revolution in Addressing Food Security

Gene technologies moved the world to “the dawn of a new era” and have the potential to contribute significant solutions to the world's challenges in food security, climate, and biodiversity. This message was delivered by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) during the Borlaug International Dialogue of the World Food Prize 2024 opening ceremony held on October 29, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa.

“The genetic revolution goes beyond increasing yields - it focuses on exploring the solutions to biotic and abiotic resistance and safeguarding vital genomic diversity which are fundamental to food diversity,” the FAO DG stressed in his keynote address titled From Genetics to the Generation: What Does the Future Hold for Agrifood Systems and Food Culture.

DG Qu also emphasized the role of gene editing technology in speeding up the development of new crops with improved traits. He studied plant breeding and genetics and made important contributions to understanding the potato genome.

“Advances in genetics improve effectiveness in developing new crops. Gene-editing technology accelerates the breeding process significantly. It's faster than traditional breeding methods. It improves resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. This includes tolerance to high temperatures, droughts, floods, and salinity, among others. These advancements in gene editing might do more than just improve crop yields; they could also bring people and cultures closer together,” Qu explained.

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