Plant science has a natural role to play in achieving the UN SDGs

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) aim to free the world from hunger, poverty and inequity while tackling the challenges of climate change. An agenda that ambitious requires a “whole of society” effort as indicated by the Government of Canada — and Canada’s agriculture sector, including the plant science industry, is more than ready to do its part.

The SDGs stem from the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2015, when Canada and 192 other UN members signed onto that framework, 2030 seemed reasonably far in the future. Now it’s just seven years away.

Fortunately, the plant science industry isn’t just committed to the SDGs: they’re already developing and deploying transformative solutions so farmers can grow more food on less land using less water and other resources.

More food, less waste

Part of what makes global challenges complex is that they’re often interconnected. For example, growing seasons and agricultural land are changing in many parts of the world due to climate impacts, forcing the need to rethink what can grow where. At the same time, the human population is pushing toward 10 billion by 2050, meaning there will soon be many more mouths to feed.

That creates pressure to maximize food production on the farmland that is available (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) and to ensure as much food as possible actually gets consumed (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production).

Here in Canada, the federal government has made it a priority to ensure Canadians have access to affordable, nutritious, sustainably produced food, and to find “game-changing solutions” to food waste. Plant science and agricultural innovation are already helping on both fronts – and poised to do more.

Plant breeding alone has driven a 50 percent increase in crop productivity over the last century, ensuring Canadians have access to a steady supply of food. That makes good food more available — and more affordable. The cost of many staple foods in Canada would be 45% higher without plant science innovations. And in an era of high food inflation, doing everything we can to shield food prices from additional increases is critical to combatting food insecurity.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 40 percent of crops are lost to pests globally. Plant breeding innovations that deliver hardier and more resilient crops coupled with pesticides that protect crops from insects, weeds and diseases allow farmers to get the most out of their crops leaving less wasted in the field.

Plant breeding innovations, including gene editing, are also driving progress on food quality and longevity. The longer fruits and vegetables last, the less likely they are to go to waste. One well-known example is The Arctic® Apple, which can stay fresh up to 28 days after slicing.

To protect and preserve

The way we grow food has a direct impact on climate change (SDG 13: Climate Action) and biodiversity (SDG 15: Life on Land). Government of Canada programs like the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program and Agricultural Climate Solutions recognize this and seek to harness the positive potential of sustainable agriculture.

Here again, the plant science industry is already fully engaged.

Plant scientists are actively developing crop varieties that are more adaptable and resilient to changing climate conditions. And sustainable approaches to weed control are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fuel use on farm.

Weeds are a significant challenge for farmers competing with their crops for water, nutrients and sunlight. If left unchecked, weeds can take over and destroy an entire field, wasting all of the effort and resources the farmer has put into growing that crop.

While mechanically removing weeds (tilling) is one way to deal with them, this practice can be damaging to the soil, requires the use of a lot of fuel, and releases greenhouse gases stored in the soil. Herbicide-tolerant crops allow farmers to apply an herbicide to a crop to control weeds without harming the plants and without the need to disturb the soil. The wide-spread adoption of conservation and no-till farming practices in Canada has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and significantly improved soil health.

Plant science and agricultural innovation also support biodiversity by improving productivity and minimizing the overall amount of land needed for farming. Thanks to plant biotechnology and pesticides, nearly 34 million acres that might have been needed to grow food have instead been left in their natural condition.

For healthier communities

Farming isn’t the only area where plant science and agricultural innovation contribute to the SDGs. Community green space is widely recognized as important to human health and wellbeing, and to making urban and suburban environments more livable. Grassy areas, for example, can reduce ambient temperatures by as much as 10 degrees compared to streets and sidewalks on hot summer days.

Plant science solutions help protect green spaces (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities) by preserving plant health, deterring pests and preventing invasive species from taking root.

Clearly, plant science and agricultural innovation can do — and are doing — much to help Canada achieve its SDG targets. And even more is possible. This is an “all hands on deck” moment, an opportunity to make a real difference for people across the country and around the world that will last for generations. Enabled by a predictable and science-based regulatory system, our industry can help deliver on the achievement of these important 2030 goals. We stand willing and ready to work with government and other partners to drive sustainability in Canada forward.

Pierre Petelle,
President and CEO, CropLife Canada