CropLife International

UN Report On Biodiversity Loss is A Wakeup Call

Biodiversity is declining globally at rates “unprecedented in human history” and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with “grave impacts on people around the world now likely”, according to a new report from United Nations Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Howard Minigh, CEO of CropLife International, tells us more.

How Can Science Work to Solve the Biggest Challenges to our Climate?

Hugh Possingham, Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and fellow of the US National Academy of Sciences, has more than 600 peer reviewed papers and coordinates around 300 scientists across the world to ensure they deliver the science The Nature Conservancy needs to create better outcomes for the planet. We talked to him to find out more.

What do Twinkies and Ag Innovation have in Common?

Mark Haub is a professor at Kansas State University. He is known for the 2010 Twinkie Challenge, where he went on a 10-week diet of Twinkies and other sugary American junk food and lost 27 lbs. He says the point of the diet was to test the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to question our assumption that weight-loss is the epitome of health.

The Changing Face of the Pesticide Industry

A high level of investment from the crop protection industry to research and develop new products has led to a continual improvement in both the effectiveness and safety profile of pesticides, according to a new report. Here the report author, Jonathan Shoham, explains more.

The Challenges Facing Agriculture and the Plant Science Industry in the EU

A new report shows how regulation on biotechnology and pesticides has left EU farmers at a competitive disadvantage, while the world’s major farm markets continue to thrive. The report’s main author John McDougall, from Market Analysts, Agbioinvestor, explains.

Mommy, Ph.D.: Prescribing Lessons in Biotechnology, One Troll At a Time

Like many mothers, Alison Bernstein was overwhelmed with the information about what makes food safe. So overwhelmed, in fact, she thought “everything was killing us, and everything was destroying her.” However, that all changed when she started working at a toxicology lab, where the science around biotechnology cannot be misconstrued by the internet or the organic industry.

How Plant Science Is Helping Cocoa Farmers in West Africa

Last year we featured Dr. Mfegue Crescence Virginie, an agronomist from Cameroon, in our #FoodHeroes campaign. Working as the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Program Manager for the World Cocoa Foundation in West Africa, she explained how this viral disease can be damaging for farmers, resulting in more than 15% of global cocoa losses. One year on we followed-up with her to find out the facts behind the recent story that chocolate is on track to go extinct in 40 years.

A Responsible Approach to Highly Hazardous Pesticides

Pesticides are a critical tool to help farmers around the world protect their crops, ensure their livelihoods and provide food to a growing population. If left uncontrolled, pests would significantly reduce the quantity and quality of food production. In fact, global crop losses could reach 50 to 80 percent without effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including the use of pesticides, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Unlocking nature’s secrets: The world of biological crop protection

Derived from nature, biologicals offer farmers an effective, environmentally friendly and socially acceptable way to protect crops. Used by both conventional and organic farmers alike, they can be used alone or combined with synthetic products. Dr Pamela Marrone, CEO and founder of Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI), tells us more.

Digital Revolution Takes Farming to Another Level

Digital technology is transforming global agriculture around the world. From high-tech sensor technology to smartphone apps, farmers around the world are using digital solutions to help them grow healthy crops, while using inputs more efficiently. Tobias Menne, Global Head Digital Farming at Bayer, tells us more.

Special Rapporteur on Right to Food Undermines United Nations’ Goals

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) set ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to eradicate hunger and poverty by 2030. The international development community – civil society, business and public institutions – rallied behind these ambitious targets and agreed to do everything in its power to achieve them.

Scientists Develop Cutting Edge Approach to Protect Honey Bees

Consumers rely on farmers to deliver everything from fruit to nuts, but farmers need the help of the honey bee to help pollinate these food crops around the world. In order to continue delivering consumers their watermelons and blueberries in the future, farmers and researchers are working together to look for new ways to ensure […]

Managing Weed Resistance with Integrated Weed Management

Wheat in the USA The cultivation of wheat reaches far back into human history and its importance hasn’t decreased since then. With more than 220 million hectares of arable land under wheat cultivation, it is the largest cereal crop in terms of area and one of the world`s most important staple foods. Most of the […]

Human Cost of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Exaggerated

By Gregory G. Bond and Daniel R. Dietrich, The EU and U.S. governments continue to try to best identify and regulate potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In an attempt to influence these efforts, the Endocrine Society – a global association representing endocrinologists and related experts – published a series of economic papers in […]

Celebrating 20 Years of Economic and Environmental Benefits from Crop Biotechnology

Today marks the United Nations’ World Environment Day, in which most global leaders have joined together in a call for us to connect #WithNature and take action to protect our environment. It is only fitting that our 12th annual report, which looks at the global impact of crop biotechnology in the 26 countries where it […]