Without technology advancements over the past 60 years, U.S. farmers would only be able to feed about 54 million people, the equivalent of the combined populations of California and Texas. Worldwide, it’s predicted the population will increase to 9 billion by 2050. Without continuing advancements in technology, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for this nation’s two million farmers to feed this skyrocketing population.
Farmers are doing their part to increase productivity and move agriculture forward. For example, they’ve adopted seed enhanced by biotechnology, which helps them produce more by increasing yields and improving the plant’s ability to survive various stresses.
“American farmers have been pioneers in adopting new technologies, but we have to keep it up,” says United Soybean Board farmer-leader Nancy Kavazanjian. “We need to continue to adopt new practices and technologies that will make us more sustainable and profitable.”
Developing a unified strategy across the U.S. soy industry to encourage further technology acceptance among U.S. soybean farmers could enhance profitability throughout the soybean value chain. Industry representatives will discuss such a strategy, along with others, on Dec. 10 in St. Louis at CONNECTIONS 2014. This event, organized by the soy checkoff, brings together stakeholders from throughout the soybean sector to plot a future filled with benefits for everyone.
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