Issue Crop diversification and genetically engineered varieties for resilience

Summary

The report expects that farmers may diversify the crops they grow and widen the market for genetically engineered varieties to boost resilience and food security. This is presented as one response to the long-term worry that droughts and pathogens could cause repeated harvest failures. The report explains that disease-resistant varieties need less land for the same yield and reduce the time and money farmers spend managing pests. Its engineering biology chapter likewise credits advanced breeding with making crops more resilient to pests, disease and a changing climate. The report also foresees that early consumer acceptance in food could help genetic tools spread into other sectors.