Ann Steensland leads the GAP Report Initiative for CALS Global at the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In this role, she serves as the lead author of the Global Agricultural Productivity Report, or GAP Report, an annual analysis of global progress toward productive sustainable food and agricultural systems. Her research areas include sustainable approaches for increasing the productivity of small-scale agriculture, improving livelihoods for small-scale farmers, and connecting small-scale and emerging farmers to markets. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Ms. Steensland was the Deputy Director of the Global Harvest Initiative and the Chief of Staff of the Alliance to End Hunger. Ms. Steensland has a B.A. in International Relations and an M.A. in African History. She was awarded the Lawrence Levine Prize for her M.A. thesis exploring racial, political, and environmental aspects of the commercialization of agriculture in South Africa.
Innovative agricultural technologies and practices promote productivity and resilience
April 13, 2021
Agricultural productivity is not just essential for sustainably meeting the demands of a growing world. The technologies and practices that enable producers to produce more output with the same amount, or less inputs, can also be harnessed to cultivate resilience.
In addition to COVID-19, agricultural communities battle pandemic-scale pest and disease outbreaks every year. The health and productivity of people, livestock, and crops are all vulnerable, and resilience in the face of these threats has never been more important.
The stories below describe how the GAP Initiative’s Supporting Partners are working with communities around the world to improve their productivity and resilience.
Data-driven innovation promotes resilience for smallholders – Bayer Crop Science
Innovations in plant breeding are enabling farmers to adopt new crop varieties that are better suited to respond to unique environmental stresses as they occur around the world. For instance, Bayer’s work to develop a short stature corn hybrid will reduce the risk of crop loss due to lodging, enable mid-season disease treatment, and open the door to even higher yields.
In Kenya, private sector-driven alliance to focus on animal nutrition as a pathway to food security – Corteva Agriscience™
Corteva Agriscience™, Land O’Lakes Venture37, Bidco Land O’Lakes, Forage Genetics International (FGI), and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have forged an alliance that aims to empower 5,000 women smallholder dairy farmers by increasing their productivity and incomes. This unique partnership is using data and technology to improve livelihoods of women smallholder dairy farmers and build resilience of local food systems.
Keeping farms running, while keeping farmers safe in Latin America – John Deere
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a drastic shift in the importance of virtual tools, as the world rushed to adopt and embrace remote work — including farmers. With safety measures like shelter-in-place and social distancing enacted in response to the pandemic, associates for manufacturers had to embrace virtual assistance for their clients. John Deere dealers in Latin America pivoted to a remote model, with measurable success.
Biosecurity measures protect animals from African Swine Fever – Smithfield Foods
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious, incurable and fatal viral disease that affects hogs. Smithfield’s strong biosecurity measures keep animals safe and healthy on farms. They also support efforts to help feed a growing world population, provide jobs in local communities, and sustain other businesses in the global agricultural supply chain.
Beyond agriculture: Investing in resilient communities – The Mosaic Company
Building sustainable agriculture systems that can withstand shocks like pandemics doesn’t mean only investing directly in agriculture, but in the fabric of society. The Mosaic Company, The Mosaic Company Foundation and The Mosaic Institute in Brazil have a long history of investing in communities in ways that contribute to their vitality. That work has never been more important than during a pandemic.
Saving soybeans from billions in losses by pathogens – Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Soybeans are heavily impacted by root and stem rot diseases caused by oomycete pathogens, fungal-like microbes that cause highly destructive plant diseases. A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech developed tools using genomic advances that pave the way to new diagnostic tools, disease-resistant soybeans, and managing dangerous pathogens.
Header photo courtesy of Smithfield Foods.
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