GM technology: a tool to benefit livestock production in less developed and developed countries

Abstract

The combined effects of improved varieties, increased fertiliser use and irrigation coupled with increased pesticide use was instrumental in allowing world food production to double in the last 35 years. However, as we enter the 21st century world population is set to increase by a further 1.5 billion by 2020, with the rate of increase being higher in less developed than developed countries. At the same time the rate crop improvement is slowing. In addition the area of land available/appropriate for the production of food and feed resources are at best static and at worst decreasing, often due to wind and water erosion. It has also been estimated that the demand for livestock products will increase dramatically in the next 20 years, with the increase being markedly higher in developing countries (3% per year), where much of the increased demand will be generated from an increasing urban population, than developed countries (1% per year). This projected increase in demand for livestock products will require very significant increased production of cereal grain and sources of oilseeds in a manner ensuring safety for the public and the environment. It will be a major challenge for global food and feed production to decrease the environmental impact of agriculture while maintaining or improving its productivity and sustainability. This paper will discuss how GM technology can contribute a way forward with the aim of combining higher yields, improved food and feed quality, increased competitiveness with environmentally and agriculturally sustainable practices.