By Roelof Bezuidenhout

By integrating biotechnology and other next-generation agricultural techniques, farmers can develop more resilient and sustainable food systems that meet the needs of a growing population while reducing environmental impact. This is increasingly critical as climate change, soil degradation, water scarcity, emerging plant diseases and political instability threaten global food production.

Traditional solutions, such as relying on chemical protection for crops, are no longer sufficient, according to a report by the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Many conventional herbicides and fungicides have either been banned or have lost their effectiveness.

While shifts in consumer habits, such as the rise of plant-based diets, have somewhat eased the pressure, they have not fundamentally altered the underlying challenges. The McKinsey report, titled Next-Generation Agriculture: Safeguarding the World’s Food Systems, emphasises the need for innovation and adaptation in the agricultural sector.

The report highlights developments in biotechnology as a source of hope for the future of food security. Biotechnology integrates natural and engineering sciences to develop products and technologies across human and animal health, agriculture and environmental management.

In the context of safeguarding food systems, key advancements include:

• More-targeted chemical protection for crops, along with better understanding of how different chemical combinations can enhance effectiveness.

• Bioengineering of plants to reduce or eliminate the need for chemical protection.

• Improved field management through precision farming techniques.

The right combination of these advancements is key to driving the progress that farmers, crop-protection companies and tech firms are seeking.

Old and new challenges

The availability of genetic engineering, GPS, AI and increased computing power has revolutionised biotechnology, accelerating innovation beyond the traditional, time-consuming test-and-learn approach. Over time, this could help regions with challenging agricultural conditions, such as Africa and the Middle East, overcome food supply constraints and build more resilient supply chains.

Regions with traditionally strong agricultural outputs are increasingly battling fungal infections. A recent study found that nearly half of Europe’s wheat crops contained fungal toxins.However, advances in analysing the composition of herbicides and fungicides have significantly improved understanding of their efficacy and potential side effects.

According to McKinsey and Company, the combined challenges of population growth and climate change will likely necessitate large-scale bioengineering of crops in the coming years to enhance traits such as drought resistance. One example, highlighted in Nature Biotechnology , explores how wheat could be bred to resist a highly virulent fungal pathogen that threatens global cereal production.

Precision farming enables farmers to optimise field coverage and work frequency, while in some regions and for specific crops, vertical farming can reduce water consumption by up to 98%. Emerging technologies, such as farm robotics and advanced predictive models, further enhance agricultural yield.

A notable example is the use of precise weather forecasting models to protect potato crops in the Netherlands. Since the effectiveness of fungicides depends heavily on weather conditions, these models help farmers apply treatments at optimal times, reducing fungicide use by up to 25%.

Fit-for-purpose solutions

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to safeguarding the world’s food systems. The key lies in integrating a combination of approaches to ensure practical, effective adoption. Early successes have already demonstrated the potential for large-scale implementation.

Clear communication among farmers, food producers, regulators and end consumers – along with careful monitoring and management of unintended consequences – is essential for the successful expansion of modern agricultural solutions.

Biotechnology has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce food, and to help address global challenges such as population growth, climate change and resource scarcity. Achieving this, however, requires significant investment in research and infrastructure, and the right economic conditions to foster innovation and support emerging agricultural technologies, the report cautions.

Also read:

• Working with nature rather than against it – regenerative farming for a sustainable future

• Bridging the gap between tradition and progress in farming

• Improve your chemical weed control strategy