Next-gen Innovation
“Future tools for food security”
I/O recognizes the need for science and technology to lead agricultural innovation, providing food security in a changing climate. As climate change effects agricultural production across North America – through increased flood events, drought, and disease – I/O embraces the opportunities that genetically-edited plant varieties present for adapting to this increasingly harsh environment. Since oats are typically grown in cooler climates, the cultivation of a genetically-edited variety for the Missouri climate would allow us effectively to start the R+D process for a warm-weather oat variety ten years in advance. When the latitudes in which oat are typically grown warm due to climate change, an implementable suite of seeds will thus be available, ensuring food security.