Drought-Tolerant Crops: A Global Race

Key Takeaways:

1. Global Impact: Drought significantly affects global agriculture, impacting regions from the American Midwest to sub-Saharan Africa, with consequences for food prices and food security.
2. Scientific Advances: Researchers are focusing on genetic modifications, selective breeding, and precision agriculture to develop drought-resistant crops.
3. Ethical Concerns: Ethical issues arise from the potential ecological impacts and the equitable distribution of resources linked to drought-resistant crop technologies.
4. Economic and Social Consequences: Drought leads to reduced crop yields, increased food imports, and broader economic challenges, including energy shortages and social unrest due to resource scarcity.
5. International Collaboration: Effective response to drought requires global cooperation, sharing of scientific advancements, and integrated water and agricultural management strategies to ensure sustainability and resilience in food production.

Introduction

Drought has become a pressing issue for agriculture worldwide, impacting vast regions ranging from the American Midwest to sub-Saharan Africa. With the increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, the consequences on crop yields, food prices, and overall food security are becoming more severe and widespread. In response to this challenge, agricultural researchers and scientists across the globe are investing significant efforts to develop crops that can withstand these harsh conditions.

This editorial aims to delve deeper into the science behind the advancements in drought-tolerant crop technology, the ethical challenges involved, and the importance of international collaboration in addressing these issues. Despite the progress made in this critical field, there are still hurdles to overcome to ensure a sustainable food future in an increasingly dry world.

The article examines the various approaches taken by researchers to tackle the challenge of drought, including genetic modifications, selective breeding, and precision agriculture. It also discusses the ethical considerations surrounding these approaches, such as the potential impact on natural ecosystems and the equitable distribution of resources. Additionally, the editorial highlights the need for international collaboration to ensure that the benefits of this research are shared globally, particularly in regions most affected by drought.

The Current Situation

Global Impact of Drought

Recent droughts have significantly impacted agriculture worldwide, affecting various regions with unique consequences. In the Mediterranean, for instance, prolonged droughts have led to severe conditions, especially in southern Italy, Spain, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The drought has critically impacted agricultural productivity, water availability, and energy production due to reduced water levels in reservoirs​ (EU Science Hub)​.

In southern Africa, Zambia has declared a national disaster after significant agricultural losses due to drought exacerbated by El Nino and climate change. This situation has impacted over one million farming households, highlighting the drought’s severe effect on food and energy security​ (Al Jazeera)​.

Meanwhile, broader global patterns indicate that major crops such as maize, rice, soybean, and wheat are significantly affected, with drought patterns contributing to global yield losses. These impacts are complex and vary by region, often influenced by the timing, frequency, duration, and magnitude of droughts​ (Phys.org)​.

Economic and Social Consequences

The economic and social consequences of these agricultural challenges are profound. Food insecurity is rising as crop yields decline, impacting food availability and increasing reliance on imports in many vulnerable regions. This situation is reflected in global market dynamics, where, despite some decreases in commodity prices due to various factors, the overall stability of food supply chains remains at risk​ (World Bank)​.

Countries like Zambia have faced a double jeopardy of drought impacts and economic challenges, including energy shortages due to reduced hydroelectric power output and the need for substantial economic realignments to address the immediate impacts of drought​ (Al Jazeera)​.

Social unrest and migration are also increasing as communities face untenable living conditions due to water scarcity and failing crops. The situation in the Mediterranean is a stark example, where ongoing drought conditions have led to water use restrictions and significant concerns about future water availability for both agriculture and human consumption​ (EU Science Hub)​.

These challenges underscore the need for integrated water management and improved agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of drought and adapt to changing climatic conditions. The global community must prioritize sustainable practices and robust disaster response strategies to address the immediate impacts while planning for long-term resilience​ (FAOHome)​​ (EU Science Hub)​.

Recent Advances Advances

Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. has announced that HB4 Wheat, a crop productivity solution, has received full approval for commercialization and cultivation in Brazil from CTNBio, the National Biosafety Commission. This approval comes after Brazil approved HB4 Wheat flour for food and feed use in November 2021. The approval of HB4 Wheat for cultivation in Brazil is significant as it offers the potential for double cropping in regions with limited water availability by rotating wheat with a summer legume. In addition, this technology is vital for adapting farming systems to an extreme climate and has already delivered over 40% yield increases in environments under severe water stress, based on results from Argentina’s recent drought-affected crop.

PINC, Paulig’s venture arm, has invested in OlsAro, a Swedish agtech startup aiming to develop wheat varieties resilient to climate-related stresses. OlsAro’s breakthrough solution is a salt-tolerant wheat variety, which has shown a remarkable 52% yield increase in initial tests in Bangladesh. This investment is part of a broader 2.5M funding round, which will enable OlsAro to create new wheat varieties three times faster than traditional methods using AI and advanced breeding techniques. The new wheat varieties have the potential to transform unproductive saline lands into productive agricultural plots, particularly in regions like Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa, and boost global food security.

Drought is a critical stress factor that affects global crop yields, particularly in vulnerable regions of Africa and South Asia. To combat this, the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) was launched in 2017, aiming to enhance drought resilience through mutation breeding and advanced screening methods. The project has made significant strides in developing drought-tolerant rice and sorghum germplasm by employing innovative breeding techniques, contributing to sustainable food security by developing and disseminating drought-resilient crop varieties and technologies globally.

An EU project called Booster is working on climate-smart agriculture by improving drought tolerance in maize and teff. The project involves 14 organizations, including Irish biotech company BioAtlantis, which is developing molecular priming technologies. Booster aims to identify genomic variants in crops that are associated with drought tolerance and create new varieties of crops that are resistant to drought. The project will use extracts from brown algae as a biostimulant to improve drought responses.

Millet is a drought-resistant cereal that is becoming increasingly important in sustainable agrifood systems. As a drought-prone country, Türkiye is embracing millet as a key crop to cope with climate change. It is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a great alternative cereal for individuals with gluten intolerance. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized the “Antalya Millet Workshop” to raise awareness of millet and evaluate production potential, marketing, and trade opportunities. Millet can create employment opportunities for small family farmers and can be used to make many food products, such as millet flour, porridge, rice, pasta, halva, syrup, and desserts. The Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute and the ministry will collaborate to implement projects to increase and expand the production potential of millet.

Challenges and Controversies

Scientific Challenges

Developing drought-resistant crop varieties presents several scientific challenges and complexities. One major issue is the lack of adequate research and development funding, which hinders the progress in identifying genetic traits that contribute to drought tolerance. This field requires extensive investigations and trials, which are often costly and time-consuming​ (The Farming Insider)​. Furthermore, each plant species, and even cultivars within species, has different mechanisms of drought adaptation, which complicates the breeding process for drought resistance​ (Business Wales)​.

Additionally, while genetic manipulation offers potential, it involves intricate processes that can lead to unintended consequences. For example, focusing solely on drought resistance may inadvertently neglect other crucial traits like yield and nutritional value, potentially making crops less effective overall​ (The Farming Insider)​.

Ethical and Legal Issues

The development and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture to enhance drought resistance also raise significant ethical and legal debates. Key issues include the safety and environmental impact of GMOs, which remain contentious topics. Public perception and acceptance of genetically modified drought-resistant crops vary widely, influenced by concerns about potential long-term ecological effects and food safety​ (The Farming Insider)​.

Legal challenges primarily revolve around patent laws and the rights of farmers versus corporations. There are concerns about the control over seed markets by a few large corporations, which could potentially monopolize food production and restrict farmers’ access to seeds. This situation raises issues about farmers’ rights to save and reuse patented seeds, which is a traditional practice in many agricultural communities​ (The Farming Insider)​.

Overall, addressing these scientific and ethical challenges requires a balanced approach that considers both the technological potential and the broader social, ethical, and legal implications of developing drought-resistant crops. Collaboration among scientists, farmers, governments, and communities, along with transparent regulatory frameworks, are essential to navigate these complexities and ensure the sustainable development of drought-resistant crop varieties.

Global Efforts and Cooperation

International Collaboration

International collaboration in developing drought-resistant crops is evident through various global initiatives involving multiple countries and organizations. For instance, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has been instrumental in developing new drought-tolerant varieties of crops like durum wheat and barley, particularly in regions such as Morocco. These efforts are part of broader collaborations aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience against climate change-induced droughts​ (ICARDA)​.

Furthermore, organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other international bodies are supporting initiatives to develop crops that can withstand drought and salinity, employing techniques such as cross-breeding and genetic trait transfers​ (Phys.org)​. Such collaborative efforts are crucial in the global South, where agricultural organizations are joining forces to combat the escalating food crisis exacerbated by climate change, economic shocks, and geopolitical conflicts​ (SciDev)​.

Funding and Resources

Funding for these initiatives comes from a mix of public and private sources, underscoring the global priority of addressing food security through agricultural innovation. The FAO, for example, has developed a Rapid Response Plan which requires substantial funding to support vulnerable farming households. This highlights a significant need for increased financial investments to provide emergency and resilience interventions in agriculture​ (Phys.org)​.

Additionally, projects like those spearheaded by ICARDA in Morocco receive funding from international donors such as the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which supports the development of new crop varieties through extensive research and field testing. This investment not only aids in the immediate development of drought-resistant crops but also in long-term agricultural resilience and food security strategies​ (ICARDA)​.

Future Prospects

Emerging Technologies

In the realm of agricultural technology, CRISPR and AI-driven crop management stand out as promising advancements for the development of drought-resistant crops. CRISPR technology, especially, has revolutionized the ability to edit genes with precision, offering significant potential for creating plant varieties that can better withstand drought conditions. This includes engineering plants to enhance their stress response mechanisms or altering their genetic makeup to improve water retention and utilization​ (BioMed Central)​.

Moreover, the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into agriculture is transforming crop management. IoT devices equipped with sensors can monitor soil moisture, temperature, and overall crop health in real-time, enabling more precise irrigation and resource management. AI algorithms analyze this data to predict crop growth outcomes and optimize water usage, which is crucial for maintaining crop yields under drought conditions​ (UNDP)​​ (StartUs Insights)​.

Policy Recommendations

To support the development and distribution of drought-tolerant crops, several policy recommendations can be made for governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders:

1. Increase Funding and Support for Research: Enhanced governmental and private sector funding should be directed towards research in genetic engineering, including CRISPR, and AI technologies that support the development of drought-resistant crops. This could also include subsidies or grants for universities and private companies engaged in relevant research​ (Phys.org)​​ (ICARDA)​.
2. Promote Collaborative Efforts: Encourage international cooperation among agricultural researchers, biotechnologists, and policymakers to share knowledge and innovations. This can be facilitated through global agricultural networks and partnerships that focus on developing crops suited to diverse climatic conditions​ (Phys.org)​​ (ICARDA)​.
3. Implement Supportive Regulatory Frameworks: Develop clear and supportive regulatory frameworks that encourage the safe use of genetic editing technologies and AI in agriculture. These policies should ensure that ethical concerns are addressed and that the resulting crop varieties are safe for consumption and the environment​ (Phys.org)​.
4. Enhance Farmer Education and Training: Provide extensive training for farmers on new agricultural technologies and practices. This includes understanding how to use IoT devices and interpret AI data for better crop management. Government-led extension services could play a crucial role in this educational outreach​ (UNDP)​.
5. Infrastructure Development: Invest in infrastructure that supports the adoption of smart agriculture technologies, especially in rural or underdeveloped regions. This includes broadband internet access, mobile technologies, and modern irrigation systems that are crucial for the effective use of IoT and AI in agriculture​ (UNDP)​.

Conclusion

In conclusion, addressing the severe impacts of global drought on agriculture requires a multifaceted approach that combines advanced scientific research with ethical considerations and international cooperation. Efforts to develop drought-resistant crops are making significant progress, but challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable access to these technologies across different regions. Emphasizing sustainable practices, transparent methodologies, and collaborative international efforts is essential for overcoming these challenges and securing a food-stable future in the face of increasing drought conditions. This approach will not only improve agricultural productivity but also contribute to greater global food security and resilience against climate change.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash