b'THE RISK CORNER BY: DAVID ZARUKSUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION: A SEED SOLUTION?T he latest buzzword in agriculturalc) Gene editing has shown the poten- there is a question of how far these tech-development policy is sustainabletial to develop more ecosystem-friendlyniques will work in developing countries intensification. The concept iscrops requiring fewer nutrients andwhere smallholders cannot afford the noble: to increase the needed crop yieldstaking less from the soil. infrastructure. for global populations that are both grow- d) In cases of climate-stresses,The potential for more resilient ing and affluent while reducing inputsbetter seeds can help agriculture adaptseeds that produce higher yields while and the impact agriculture has on theto evolutionary threats. taking fewer nutrients from the soil and environment. The concept can be takenThe best route to sustainable inten- withstanding harsher weather conditions further to imply improved livelihoods,sification is not to incrementally tightenwill make significant impact. Rather than equity, human rights and better healthsoil and water management (every envi- tweaking the edges of agriculture, such but most scientists (should) concentrateronment is unique); it is not merely toseed innovations are game-changers.primarily on agronomic advancement. educate smallholders; nor to challenge So how do you get more food fromagri-tech business models. Rather impactINTENSIFYING AFRICAless land and fewer inputs? My impulsewill be made by developing seeds thatWhile sustainable intensification is a response is: Better seeds! But as I readyield more with lower inputs (gettingglobal challenge for agriculture, it is through sustainable intensification arti- more from less). clearly a priority in Africa. Much of the cles and reports from the FAO, academicsexpected population increase over the and agroecologists, I was surprised to seeRESISTANCE TO next 50 years will happen in Africa where this simple solution largely ignored. WhyGAME-CHANGERS agriculture is also the least developed. So, is that? So why do sustainable intensificationwhile agroecologists want to see more The FAO intensification strategyadvocates practically ignore the impor- smallholders farming to feed themselves, cites four factors as key drivers to pro- tant potential of seed breeding? I con- more thought needs to go into a strategy duce more from less: tacted a U.S.-based academic who hadto grow African agriculture with devel-a) Improved use of resources withrecently published a paper on the subjectopment, population and economic expan-conservation agriculture and better plantthat excluded any consideration of seedsion in mind. nutrient management. innovations. His view is that GMOs willWith diverse practices, economies, b) Integrated Pest Managementtake too long to develop, only concernclimates and levels of development, it is to avoid environmental pollution fromlarge cash crops and will not feed intomyopic to think a one-size-fits-all inten-misuse of pesticides. the smallholder development processsification solution will work in Africa c) Better management of biodiversityanytime soon.(especially one driven by political ide-and ecosystem services. This professor missed the potentialology and social justice campaigners). d) Access to good practices andof certain new plant breeding techniques,Complex challenges like cultural hier-knowledge, increased diversification,not realising how they are not like large,archy, corruption in supply chains, land markets, creditlong-term GMO investments. Researchersrights, mobility, access to technologies, Not to criticise the FAO, but theyin Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria are solv- equipment and markets means that many should have moved the bar a bit higher.ing important local issues like bananaof the sustainable intensification theories Their strategy may improve farming frac- wilt or cassava with gene editing tech- are merely political ideologiessorry.tionally in some under-developed, small- niques done in African labs. The ability ofBut seeds dont lie. Better seeds dont holder systems, but it wont do much tonew strains of seeds to reduce pesticideworry about cultural hierarchy, corrup-feed ten billion people on less land andapplications, adapt to local soil conditionstion, who owns the land and where the fewer inputs. They are also assuming,and withstand weather extremes are defi- markets are. Better seeds can be sub-under the sustainable intensificationnitely farmer-centric. sidised; smallholders can be allowed banner, that labour intensification is bothLooking at the rise of the social-jus- to save seeds. Farmers feel the impact acceptable and possible. tice agroecology faction, I suspect somealmost immediately as higher yields and What if you shift the focus of the FAOof the reluctance to promote seed breed- lower crop losses redefine farming from strategy to concentrating on better seeding arises from a fear that agri-tech willsubsistence to development. development? Then their strategy is com- become more corporate-centric in devel- Better seeds lead to better farming pletely coherent (and doable). oping countries.isnt this a goal of sustainability?a) Plant nutrient management can beSustainable intensification advocatesI strongly urge seed breeders to be met if better seeds for cover crops andalso only seem to be looking for simple,more vocal to make an impact on this dis-no-till cash crops can enrich the soil. quick wins. More dams, intercroppingcussion. Sustainable intensification theo-b) Designing pest-resistant cropsand IPM fixes will only go so far. You canrists need to abandon their bias and start with more resilient seeds will push IPMreduce impact with increased conserva- with one clear idea: better seeds = better forward. tion agriculture practises to a point anddevelopment. Let that idea germinate. 20IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'