Successful Agricultural Innovation in Emerging Economies
New Genetic Technologies for Global Food Production

An authoritative review of the implementation of new crop breeding technologies and their role in feeding an increasing global population.

David J. Bennett (Edited by), Richard C. Jennings (Edited by)

9781107675896, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 December 2013

456 pages, 60 b/w illus.
23 x 15.3 x 2.5 cm, 0.52 kg

'… required reading for anyone who wishes to take part in serious discussions about the genetic modification of crop plants.' Richard Strange, Food Security

World population is forecast to grow from 7 to 9 billion by 2050, 1 in 6 is already hungry and food production must increase by 70-100% if it is to feed this growing population. No single solution will solve this problem but recent developments in the genetic technologies of plant breeding can help to increase agricultural efficiencies and save people from hunger in a sustainable manner, particularly in African nations where the need is greatest. These advances can rapidly incorporate new traits and tailor existing crops to meet new requirements and also greatly reduce the time and costs taken to improve local crop varieties. This book provides a collected, reliable, succinct review which deals expressly with the successful implementation of the new plant genetic sciences in emerging economies in the context of the interrelated key regulatory, social, ethical, political and trade matters.

List of contributors
Part I. The Issues of Plant Science and Food Security: Introduction Professor Sir David Baulcombe FRS
1. Reaping the benefits of plant science for food security Professor Sir David Baulcombe FRS
2. Global population growth, food security and food and farming for the future Professor Jim Dunwell
3. New genetic crops in a global context Professor Sir Gordon Conway FRS and Katy Wilson
4. The economic and environmental impact of first generation biotech crops Graham Brookes
5. The interface of plant genome science, plant breeding and conservation of genetic resources Professor Wayne Powell and Dr Tina Barsby
6. Using molecular breeding to improve orphan crops for emerging economies Professor Ian Graham
Part II. New Genetics Crops across the Emerging World: Introduction Professor Chris Leaver FRS
7. Status of crop biotechnology and biosafety in Africa Professor Diran Makinde
8. Transforming agriculture in Argentina: the role of genetically modified (GM) crops Eduardo J. Trigo and Eugenio J. Cap
9. China - earlier experiences and for the future Professor Lu Bao-rong
10. Genetically engineered crops would ensure food security in India Professor Kameswara Rao
11. Plant genetic improvement and sustainable agriculture Professor Pamela Ronald
12. Nutritional enhancement by biofortification of staple crops Dr Adrian Dubock
13. Transforming the cowpea, an African orphan staple crop grown predominantly by women Dr T. J. Higgins, Professor Larry Murdock and Professor Idah Sithole-Niang
14. Transgenic marine algae for aquaculture: a coupled solution for protein sufficiency Professor Jonathan Gressel
Part III. Lessons Learned about Implementing New Genetics Crops in Policy: Introduction Professor Sir Brian Heap CBE FRS
15. Enabling factors for an innovation-ready agricultural landscape in African countries Samuel Burckhardt, Dr Claudia Canales Holzeis, Julian Gray and Professor Sir Brian Heap CBE FRS
16. Regulatory systems and agricultural biotechnology Mark Cantley and Drew L. Kershen
17. Biotechnology research for innovation and sustainability in agriculture in the European Union Alfredo Aguilar, Danuta Cichocka, Jens Högel, Piero Venturi and Ioannis Economidis
18. Europe, GM crops and food - understanding the past, looking to the future Martin Porter
19. US international engagement in agricultural research and trade Dr Jack A. Bobo and Dr Roger Beachy
Part IV. Social, Legal, Ethical and Political Issues: Introduction Dr David Bennett
20. Have GM crops and food a future in Europe? Professor George Gaskell and Dr Sally Stares
21. Dealing with challenges and societal expectations - the industry's response Nathalie Moll and Carel du Marchie Sarvaas
22. Media and GM: a journalist's challenge Tim Radford
23. The environmental movement's earlier and current viewpoints and positions Piet Schenkelaars
24. Social and ethical issues raised by NGOs and how they can be understood Dr Richard Jennings
25. Advancing the cause in emerging economies Professor Klaus Ammann
Index.

Subject Areas: Sustainable agriculture [TVF], Biotechnology [TCB], Sustainability [RNU], Environmental management [RNF], The environment [RN], Botany & plant sciences [PST], Environment law [LNKJ], Environmental economics [KCN], Political science & theory [JPA]