Biotech Updates

Slow Rise in Crop Yields Affects Global Food Security

December 9, 2011

Crops yields are rising more slowly and thus have serious implications for global food production. In particular, countries in Europe such as Denmark, France, Finland and Switzerland have noted a decline in crop yield despite increased yield potential. Robert Finger of ETH Zurich, Switzerland makes these observations in Food Security: Close crop yield gap published in the journal Nature.

Finger identifies markets as a contributory factor due to reduced incentive for investment in equipment, fertilizer, and related inputs. Agricultural polices aimed at reducing environmental damage have also hindered growth in crop yields. To close yield gaps that would ensure sufficient global food production, Finger suggests more incentives particularly for low income countries.

Check out http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v480/n7375/full/ for the original article.