The risk of malnutrition and starvation to a growing Middle Eastern population means that increased food production is a priority for the region, according to Craig Binetti, President of Du Pont applied biosciences, nutrition and health.
Although organic food advocates are suspicious of the use of science to manipulate crop productivity and the nutritional value of foods, the benefits outweigh the risks, in Binetti’s view.
“We have to show patience and promote the benefits [of using science in crop production], and explain how it can help to reduce malnutrition and starvation in the population as a whole,” said Binetti.
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“The more we communicate the benefits that address what consumers perceive as a risk, the more we will be helped in getting that message across.”
Du Pont announced its prediction that the Middle Eastern population will rise by half a billion people in the next 20 years at the Gulfood conference on 2 March 2011.
It also announced that one third of the current Middle Eastern population is employed in agriculture, emphasising the importance of crop production to the region.
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