Monsanto Company recently announced plans to make its operations carbon-neutral by 2021 through a unique programme targeted across its seed and crop protection operations, as well as through collaboration with farmers.
The company has developed carbon-neutral crop models with the help of external experts and will share their data and modelling results with the broader agriculture, climate modelling and other communities to help drive the adoption of best practices and reinforce the role crops can play in reducing carbon emissions.
To date, these models are focussed on the US Corn Belt, where the most accurate data on crop yields, soil types, crop rotations and best management practices are publicly available. The models indicate that high yielding, carbon-neutral corn and soybean production, in the United States alone, has the potential to reduce crop production emissions equivalent to 100 million metric tonne of carbon dioxide, which is equal to reducing 233 million barrels of oil consumption per year.
“Climate change is one of the biggest issues we face in agriculture, as well as one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity,” said Hugh Grant, chairman and chief executive officer, Monsanto.
“That’s why we have pledged to do our part within our own business and to help support farmers and others. While progress has been made to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint, we must work collectively to do even more if we are going to sustainably feed 9.6 billion people by 2050. Agriculture is uniquely positioned to deliver climate change solutions, and we hope that policy makers recognise the role agriculture, farmers and crops can play in mitigating carbon emissions,” he added.
The company’s efforts focus on several key areas covering seed production, crop protection, and adoption of best practices.
