Currently, hunger affects nearly 12 per cent of the world’s population — 4 per cent more than in 2015, when the United Nations launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. If all scientific knowledge and technological innovation in crop development were readily available and globally adopted, could zero hunger have been achieved by 2030? Most people recognize the potential for agricultural biotechnology to contribute to food security. However, there has been limited application and adoption of new crop varieties in countries that are disproportionately affected by malnutrition and food insecurity.
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We thank E. Krebbers and S. Kaplan for providing an external perspective and constructive feedback that focused and clarified the dialogue.
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Itam, M.O., Iohannes, S.D., Albertsen, M. et al. Demonstrating the benefit of agricultural biotechnology in developing countries by bridging the public and private sectors. Nat. Plants 10, 2–5 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01604-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-023-01604-9