Combatting hunger and food insecurity with agritech innovations

CropLife Asia and its member companies are emphasising on the importance of agricultural technology and innovations that are capable of not only driving food security but also empowering farmers to produce food that is safe, nutritious and affordable to all 

According to the United Nations (UN) 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, more than 713 million people around the world have faced hunger, with Asia being home to the largest number of those who experience moderate-to-severe food insecurity. It is predicted that around 582 million people will be chronically undernourished by 2030. 

Plant science technologies such as plant biotechnology, gene-editing and crop protection products play a key role in supporting crop productivity, ensuring a stable food supply, managing and protecting natural resources as well as driving national economies.

“The growing population here in Asia and around the world, climate change impacts and geopolitical conflicts have only exacerbated an already challenging food insecurity landscape,” said executive director of CropLife Asia, Dr Siang Hee Tan. “With agricultural innovations and plant science technologies, it is possible for farmers to produce more nutritious food with fewer resources and less impact to the world around us. That helps our smallholder farmers, national economies and trade, and most crucially, our collective regional food security. More than ever, we need science-based regulatory systems around Asia to provide timely reviews of the latest agricultural innovations and technologies that can help our smallholder farmers at such a consequential time for our region.”