MEDIA RELEASE PR37484
Agricultural Technology Key in Reducing Environmental Impact
SINGAPORE, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Protecting intellectual property rights essential to spur further innovation
The continued adoption of new plant technologies by Asia's farmers can help
reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment and adapt to climate change.
As the world's leaders gather at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in
Copenhagen, it's timely to acknowledge the positive impact agriculture is playing in
addressing key issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, says Tan Siang Hee, Executive
Director of CropLife Asia.
"Farmers are on the frontline of adaptation to climate change; the way they are
changing how they produce food and fiber can have significant environmental benefits.
We must ensure they have the adequate tools and technologies necessary to do so."
Providing solutions for an agriculture sector facing climate change is
particularly important in developing countries where agriculture holds great promise
for furthering sustainable development and poverty reduction.
The plant science industry is making a positive contribution through the
development of technologies and practices that reduce impact of agriculture on the
environment:
* Improved water efficiency
Crops that are more efficient users of water are under development; vital given
agriculture uses 70 percent of the world's fresh water.
* Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions
-- Biotech crops have reduced fuel use due to less frequent herbicide
and insecticide applications.
-- The facilitation of reduced tillage systems has resulted in less
ploughing and increased carbon storage in the soil.
-- Creating plants that use nitrogen more efficiently reduces the need
for added fertilizer, also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Tan says CropLife Asia also supports the implementation of Intellectual Property
(IP) rights necessary to the development and diffusion of new and existing
technologies.
"Sound IP rights are a key component to attracting investment in research and
development by both the public and private sector. In most cases, they represent a
very small fraction of the costs of technology, which is outweighed by the positive
incentive they create."
Note to editors: CropLife Asia promotes the benefits of crop protection and
biotechnology products, their importance to sustainable agriculture and food
production, and their responsible use through stewardship activities in the Asia
Pacific region. As a regional unit of CropLife International, CropLife Asia supports
the work of 15 member associations.
Contact:
Tan Siang Hee
Executive Director
CropLife Asia
Email: tansianghee@croplifeasia.org
Mobile: +65-9026-1621
SOURCE: CropLife Asia
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