b"PARTNER CONTENTTHE WORLD IN TRANSITION:KWS OFFERS SOLUTIONS FOR THE AGRICULTURAL CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE.O ur world is in upheaval: The United Nations estimates that by 2050 there will be around 10 billion people living in iton a planet whose climate may heat up by up to five degrees globally by the end of the 21st century, and on which one million species are already endangered. The global challenges we face are similarly enormousand they also affect the agricultural sector. Less arable land per capita, falling biodiversity and lim-ited resources with a growing global population and the result-ing demand for food are all aspects to be tackled in agriculture in future. SUSTAINABILITY STARTS WITH THE SEEDDue to its initial role, plant breeding bears important respon-sibilityand its innovations represent a key technology within agriculture. As one of the leading seed specialists, KWSbased in Einbeck/Germanyis convinced that it can and must make a lasting contribution to solving the issues, as KWS Executive Board Spokesperson Dr. Hagen Duenbostel emphasizes: We have a clear ambition and are taking responsibility. Providing our farmers with answers to the challenges of climate change remains one of our key tasks. With the European Union's Greenculture worldwide by 1.5 %. One quarter of this yield target will Deal and the Farm-to-Fork strategy, there is also a roadmap inbe achieved through provision of digital solutions to farmers place that will strongly influence the entire industry over theover more than 6 million hectares of land by 2030. The varieties coming yearseven beyond the confines of Europe.developed will in future stand out for their particular resilience The role plant breeding will play here is outlined, amongand tolerance, while more than a quarter of the seed portfolio others, in a current research paper published by HFFA Research:will consist of so-called low-input varieties that are notable for The scientific consultancy company, which deals with key issuestheir reduced or minimal use of agricultural resources. KWS is in global agriculture, states that plant breeding has contrib- also aiming to offer the agricultural sector additional options for uted to an annual increase in yields of 1.16 percent over theeconomically and ecologically sustainable crop rotation to foster past 20 years across all major arable crops grown in the EU.variety in crops worldwide and contribute to greater diversity. Furthermore, without the development of innovative crop vari- The number of crops with breeding programs is to be increased eties, an additional 50 billion cubic liters of water would befrom 24 to 27. Yet its not only in fields, but also on plates that required worldwide todayalong with a simultaneous increaseKWS wants to ensure greater diversity in future: Harvested pro-in land under cultivation of more than 21.5 million hectares sinceduce from 40 % of KWS crop varieties are to be suitable for direct the year 2000! The development of new varieties is complexuse in human nutrition, and with new protein plants or further and requires patience and a great deal of time. Yet these figuresexpansion of a vegetable portfolio, KWS is aiming to contribute emphasize the significance of modern breeding methods so thatto a sustainable, healthy and environmentally compatible diet.we can continue to cultivate high-performing plants in future,At KWS, sustainable thinking and action are reflected not too, says Duenbostel. only in research and development of new seed varieties. Looking further ahead, the company is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas AMBITIOUS TARGETS FOR A MORE emissions it can influence internally by 50 % before 2030 and to SUSTAINABLE FUTURE bring them down to net zero by 2050. Furthermore, its commer-The diverse KWS portfolio of crop varieties has been helping tocial success is to feed into greater social engagement: At least 1 reduce the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural% of the annual operating profit flows into social projects. All resources in fields for decades. At the same time, it helps to safe- the targets we have set are intended to reinforce trust in sustain-guard and increase urgently needed yields. Yet the status quo isable and efficient agriculture, whereby the development of inno-not enough for KWS: With a sustainability ambition now launched,vative seed products is our highest priority. Thats how we aim the family-oriented company is looking to the futurewith ato be a reliable partner for farmers in future, too, Duenbostel focus on specific and measurable targets to be achieved by 2030. emphasizes.The aim is to advance plant breeding to safeguard foodMore information on the KWS Sustainability Ambition 2030 production and to increase the annual total yields from agri- at www.kws.com/sustainability EUROPEAN-SEED.COMIEUROPEAN SEED I 11"