World Grain - May 2016 - 30

FEATURE

Realizing innovation's

OPPORTUNITIES
T

he pace of innovation in the agriculture sector is rapidly accelerating, as producers and processors look to
feed a population that is expected to grow by 2 billion
people in the next 30 years.
But the debate is also growing as society demands improvements in the safety, affordability and environmental
impact of crops, while at the same time having a negative
perception toward many of the innovations in the global
crop sector, said Patti Miller, chair of the Canada Grains
Council, during the Canadian Global Crops Symposium
April 11-13 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
"There are a lot of interesting, incredible advances going
on in agriculture and food," said Tyler Bjornson, president,
Canada Grains Council. "We have the task of making sure
that the general population and decision-makers understand our issues and make the right decisions."
Presenters at the third annual symposium addressed some
of the current and future agriculture and food innovations,
including the challenges and opportunities they offer.
PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Studies show the agriculture industry has some work to
do in improving public perception of agriculture innovation,
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about GM, and how the general public perceives it, he said.
A survey from the Pew Research Center of U.S.
citizens and members of the American Association for the
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said it was safe. That question had the largest difference in
opinion between AAAS scientists and the public.
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30

by Susan Reidy

Canadian Global Crops Symposium
attendees learn how to make
the most of, and promote, new
technology in agriculture
of using animals in research than they were in favor of
eating GM food or food grown with pesticides.
Another study completed by the government of
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that province disagreed or strongly disagreed that GM is
necessary in order to feed the growing world population.
"If fully half of the people in Saskatchewan are saying, 'I'm
not sure about innovation in food,' imagine what the people in
Los Angeles or New York are saying," Bjornson said.
In general, people trust farmers, academics and scientists,
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a clear understanding of the health effects of the crops,
according to the Pew study.
"Even scientists, who are normally credible voices, are
having a tough time on some of our key issues," Bjornson
said. "This general skepticism of innovation in food and
agriculture is growing."
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number of people who said innovation in food is making
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Given this type of perception, and the general direction
in the media, it's not surprising that politicians and
May 2016 / World Grain / www.World-Grain.com
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World Grain - May 2016

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