The Importance of Technology in Agriculture

Phil Blevins | Extension Agent, Agriculture Nov 4, 2018

While certain individuals and groups oppose advances in agriculture technology, a look at the
facts reveals a very positive picture of the contributions made by technology to all of society.
Advances in technology allow farmers to produce more with less while protecting the
environment for the next generation. If we are to feed the ever-expanding population of the
world, we will have to move forward with technology not backward.

I always find it interesting that those opposed to many of these advances are generally well-
fed and fairly wealthy. I have never heard of one of the truly hungry people in the world
opposing technologies such as GMOs, fertilizers, or crop protection products. Is it fair or
even humane for those of us in more affluent circumstances to prevent them from getting
these tools?

How has technology helped us?

Advances in plant breeding, fertility, pest control, etc., have enabled corn growers to increase
the average U.S. corn yield from 29 bushels per acre in 1900 to 176.6 bushels per acre in
2017. In other words, in 2017 we grew on one acre what it took six acres to grow in 1900.
Furthermore, technology has allowed many growers to increase the precision with which they
feed these crops, reducing inputs while maintaining productivity. Advances in technology
have also enabled growers to control crop-destroying pests and at the same time reduce the
use of crop protection chemicals.

According to Dr. Jude Capper in The True Impact of Animal Agriculture on the
Environment, “Compared to 1944, U.S. dairy producers use 77 percent less feed, 90 percent
less land, 65 percent less water and have achieved a 63 percent reduction in the carbon
footprint per gallon of milk. Similarly, the modern U.S. beef industry uses 19 percent less
feed, 12 percent less water, 33 percent less land and has a 16 percent lower carbon footprint
than production systems characteristic of the 1970s. Pork producers in the U.S. use 67
percent less feed than they did in 1959, with concurrent reductions in water use (41 percent),
land use (22 percent) and carbon footprint (35 percent); and the resources used to produce
one dozen eggs have been cut considerably (74 percent less feed, 68 percent less water and
69 percent less energy) since 1960.”

These are just two of many examples that could be cited. When you consider the fact that less
than 2 percent of the population are farmers, but they have the ability to feed us all, modern
agriculture becomes an amazing industry that merits the respect and gratitude of every
citizen.

Source: www.heraldcourier.com