Emphasizes importance of agricultural technology for environmental preservation

Date:06-08-2009

Syngenta CEO Mike Mack underlined the importance of agricultural technology in supporting the environment at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) 6th World Chambers Congress in Kuala Lumpur on June 4th. The role of science and technology must go beyond increasing productivity by also enabling us to safeguard nature. This will preserve land and biodiversity, and maximize water resources, said Mack.

Mike Mack reminded the audience that throughout time, biodiversity and a growing world population have had a fragile coexistence due to the basic human needs of food and shelter and rising living standards. Technology can play an increasingly critical role in alleviating these tensions. This is especially true for agriculture; technology will increase yields while avoiding the unnecessary cultivation of new land and will allow more efficient use of water.

The headlines from the past year on the food crisis have been replaced by those on the economic crisis. The economic climate has also changed conditions for many growers around the world. What has not changed is the long term nature of the challenge to produce enough food for tomorrow needs and to do so symbiotically with the world we live in. Mack said.