A top scientist at USDA, a Monsanto executive and other experts agreed Monday that improving on existing biotechnology and developing new agriculture practices are vital to meeting increased global food demand by mid-century - but they didn't say it'll be easy.

 

Catherine Woteki, under secretary and chief scientist at USDA's Office of Research, Education and Economics, told attendees at the Energy Department's Innovation Summit near Washington Monday that ag researchers are diligently looking for ways to develop row crops that yield more, with fewer inputs.

 

That's because by 2050, the world's population is expected to grow to 9.1 billion people, from about 7 billion now; and with it will come a 70 percent increase in demand for food production, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. By 2100, current research suggests that number will jump to 11.5 billion.

 

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