Dr. William C. Motes of Informa Economics outlines the benefits of modern agriculture and its trends, implications and outlook. He outlines specific actions needed to achieve necessary progress in closing the gap that recognizes meeting future challenges will require continuous progress, building on past successes and taking advantage of technology.

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Professor Michel Petit of the Institut Agronomique Mediterraneen in Montpelier quantifies the benefits of a modern agricultural system worldwide and offers a reassessment following recent controversies. He identifys key innovations in industrialized and developing countries, detailing their impact in terms of increased production and hunger reduction, as well improvements in economic, environmental and social conditions.

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Dr. John Kruse of Global Insights offers a look ahead at the expected global demand for agricultural products in 2030 and 2050. His study quantifies the likely global demand taking into account both the growing population size, as well as growing population affluence driving demand for an improved and varied diet.

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Dr. Jason Clay of the World Wildlife Fund paints a picture of the world of 2030 and 2050 if agriculture is only able to achieve the current rate of production improvement. His report evaluates the impact from environment, economic and social perspectives, such as global instability. Appropriate evaluation metrics may include land use, energy use, caloric intake and others.

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Senator Richard Lugar and the late Dr. Norman Borlaug outline the alternative or ideal future, and identify what must be accomplished to achieve the goal of doubling agricultural output by 2050. This study outlines critical policies and investments that must be put in place now in order to circumvent the challenges associated with unmet need. *this work commenced before the death of Dr. Borlaug in September 2009 and was completed by his aide-de-camp, Chris Dowswell.

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Concerns have emerged about the future capacity of the world to feed itself - and especially, to do so while meeting important social and environmental goals.  This paper examines food production and consumption, agricultural productivity trends, the need for innovation, and policy prescriptions and recommendations for increasing future agricultural productivity to the levels.

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Support for research, education and extension, and rural infrastructure improvements to help smallholder farmers have declined over the past two decades. This report offers recommendations that would expand U.S. development assistance programs for agriculture and help fight hunger and poverty worldwide.

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Biotech crops have contributed to significantly reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. This results from less fuel and pesticide use and additional soil carbon storage from conservation tillage with biotech crops. This has made important contributions to reducing soil erosion and improving soil moisture levels.

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A first-of-its-kind report created a new framework for measuring agricultural sustainability. Developed to inform long-term, continuous improvements in agriculture production, the initial findings indicate crop production is already making progress toward reducing its environmental footprint. Click here for the executive summary or here to access full report.

This presentation takes a look at the rate of return for agricultural research, and its implications. 

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