omniture

Agricultural Technology Key in Reducing Environmental Impact

CropLife Asia
2009-12-09 12:09 3515

Protecting intellectual property rights essential to spur further innovation

SINGAPORE, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The continued adoption of new plant technologies by Asia's farmers can help reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment and adapt to climate change.

As the world's leaders gather at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, it's timely to acknowledge the positive impact agriculture is playing in addressing key issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, says Tan Siang Hee, Executive Director of CropLife Asia.

"Farmers are on the frontline of adaptation to climate change; the way they are changing how they produce food and fiber can have significant environmental benefits. We must ensure they have the adequate tools and technologies necessary to do so."

Providing solutions for an agriculture sector facing climate change is particularly important in developing countries where agriculture holds great promise for furthering sustainable development and poverty reduction.

The plant science industry is making a positive contribution through the development of technologies and practices that reduce impact of agriculture on the environment:

* Improved water efficiency

Crops that are more efficient users of water are under development; vital given agriculture uses 70 percent of the world's fresh water.

* Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions

-- Biotech crops have reduced fuel use due to less frequent herbicide

and insecticide applications.

-- The facilitation of reduced tillage systems has resulted in less

ploughing and increased carbon storage in the soil.

-- Creating plants that use nitrogen more efficiently reduces the need

for added fertilizer, also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Tan says CropLife Asia also supports the implementation of Intellectual Property (IP) rights necessary to the development and diffusion of new and existing technologies.

"Sound IP rights are a key component to attracting investment in research and development by both the public and private sector. In most cases, they represent a very small fraction of the costs of technology, which is outweighed by the positive incentive they create."

Note to editors: CropLife Asia promotes the benefits of crop protection and biotechnology products, their importance to sustainable agriculture and food production, and their responsible use through stewardship activities in the Asia Pacific region. As a regional unit of CropLife International, CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations.

http://www.croplifeasia.org

Contact:

Tan Siang Hee

Executive Director

CropLife Asia

Email: tansianghee@croplifeasia.org

Mobile: +65-9026-1621

Source: CropLife Asia
collection