Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture: Key to Addressing Challenges Such as Hunger, Climate Change, and Population Growth

On September 25, 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action that outlined a new roadmap for economic growth. Since then, other national and European strategies and plans, such as the Green Deal, the European Climate Pact, and Spain 2050, have set new social, environmental, and economic goals that require us to reshape our growth model.

On this path, having a sustainable and innovative agri-food system is essential to achieving this growth model. This is why more specific strategies, such as Farm to Fork, have been promoted, focusing on the shift towards a sustainable food system, promoting a global transition to safe, nutritious, and high-quality food through sustainable production systems.

In this context, in recent years, we have witnessed how biotechnological innovations increase crop productivity, enhance their nutritional properties, and make them more resistant to diseases or adverse climatic conditions. Biotechnology enables the development of functional ingredients, the creation of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, new protein sources, and even the detection of pathogens or contaminants in food. Moreover, in the One Health context, the biotech industry develops vaccines and medicines to improve animal health, as well as more nutritious feeds that enhance their diet.

Today, September 9, 2024, on the occasion of World Agriculture Day, we analyze how biotechnological innovations are offering novel solutions to the challenges we face. We do so with the support of Bayer CropScience, Gold Sponsor of the Green Innovation Forum, an event organized by AseBio and the Government of Navarra through Sodena, the Navarre Development Society, which on November 19 in Pamplona will examine the role of biotechnology in the transition towards a more sustainable and green economy.

Precision Agriculture: Improving Production and a Solution to Hunger

The UN estimates that the global population will reach nearly 10 billion people by 2050, making it necessary to increase global food production by 70%. According to the UN's Global Report on Food Crises, 281.6 million people suffered from acute hunger in 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year of worsening food insecurity. In addition to conflicts and economic crises, extreme weather events are now responsible for the hunger of more than 57 million people worldwide.

As Jordi Arnalte Olloquequi, Public Affairs, Science & Sustainability Iberia of the company, explains, biotechnology applied to agriculture “will play a key role in addressing these challenges.” In this regard, the main areas of development focus on aspects such as: “optimizing soil nutrient utilization, crops better adapted to climate change (resistance to drought, heat, salinity), and optimizing pest control through the digitalization of pesticide application.”

The increasing prominence of “precision agriculture” is worth highlighting. “Just as when we visit the doctor, they don't prescribe a general treatment, but examine us and focus on our specific condition, precision agriculture does the same, but with crops,” Arnalte illustrates. “Precision agriculture involves making the best possible decision, in the right place and at the right time. That means acting exactly where needed, applying solutions where required, and not across the entire field. Among its many benefits, precision agriculture optimizes crop yields by better utilizing soil capacity, thus contributing to the improvement of food production.”

Plant Biotechnology: The Role of Genetic Engineering

“Genetic modification is an activity that humans have been practicing since the beginnings of agriculture. Today, science offers the opportunity to make more precise, faster, and necessary changes in response to challenges such as climate change, population growth, and limited resources,” explain.

In the last two decades, plant biotechnology has advanced significantly, rendering the European directive that regulates genetically modified organisms (GMOs) outdated. New techniques like targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis allow for the development of plants with desired traits more quickly and accurately.

On February 7, 2024, the European Parliament adopted its favorable position on the proposed regulation for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), presented by the European Commission in July 2023. Europe’s goal is to make the food system more sustainable and resilient by developing improved plant varieties that are climate- and pest-resistant, while also offering higher yields and reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

“European legislation has not adapted to the technical and scientific progress that would allow researchers to use the potential of new techniques to benefit farmers and European society. Aware of this need, the European Commission proposed a new regulation for these techniques, which is currently under discussion. It’s worth noting that substantial progress was made during Spain’s presidency on this matter. We trust that the Spanish government will continue to play an important role in defending policies based on scientific criteria,” Arnalte argues.

Currently, all plants obtained through NGTs are subject to the same regulations as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The European Parliament supports the proposal to establish two different categories and sets of regulations for NGT-derived plants. Those considered equivalent to conventional plants (NGT Category 1 plants) would be exempt from the GMO legislation requirements, while the rest (NGT Category 2 plants) would have to comply with stricter rules. The Members of Parliament also call for mandatory labeling for all NGT products.

Green Innovation Forum 2024

AseBio and the Government of Navarra, through Sodena, the Navarre Development Society, will host the Green Innovation Forum on November 19, 2024, in Pamplona. Now in its fifth edition, the event has established itself as an essential platform to explore the opportunities biotechnology offers in the transition toward a more sustainable and carbon-neutral economy.

The Green Innovation Forum not only highlights the role of biotechnology in addressing the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal, but also demonstrates Spain’s strong commitment to science and innovation, connecting biotechnology with key industrial sectors.

This key event will analyze how biotechnology can provide innovative solutions to global challenges such as climate change, industrial transformation, sustainable food production, and the development of bioproducts. The forum will feature a program of conferences and business meetings, addressing the most relevant topics in biotechnology innovation and the green economy.

Additionally, the event offers a partnering platform to facilitate meetings between attendees and the opportunity to present innovative projects. It is an ideal space to connect with industry, academia, investors, and the public sector, creating new opportunities for business and investment.