Monsanto chief calls for food vs fuel debate to be replaced by food and fuel action

The head of Monsanto said there there should not be a food versus fuel debate, but a food and fuel effort focused on increased yields.  He said that yields in some parts of the world are only 10 percent of US yields, and that an improved regulatory environment in, for example, Africa, would pave the way to improved crop productivity.

He said that developing drought-resistant strains of corn and providing conventional corn hybrids to developing nations should be a priority. He warned that, without a biotechnology approval process in place, Africa would never catch up to the developed world in crop yields.

The remarks come as the heads of Brazil, India and South Africa commence their IBSA meeting to coordinate development of South-South trade and as Brazil’s president Luis Igacio Lula da Silva concludes a four-country African tour aimed at promoting biofuels and signing trade and development agreements.
Recently, Monsanto predicted that corn yields will reach 300 bushels per acre by 2030, vs 155.8 projected for this year’s harvest. The company projects increases from molecular breeding and other biotechnologies will produce the gains.

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