By Faridat Salifu
A new global study suggests that boosting farm productivity remains one of the most effective ways to curb agricultural greenhouse gas emissions while meeting rising food demand.
The research, published on January 16 in Science Advances, shows that agriculture has largely avoided runaway emissions over the past six decades because farmers are producing more with fewer inputs.
Scientists from Cornell University and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre analysed worldwide agricultural and emissions data from 1961 to 2021.
They found that gains in productivity, measured as higher output per unit of input, were the strongest factor keeping emissions growth relatively low.
During the period studied, global agricultural production rose sharply while productivity increased by 270 per cent, compared with a 45 per cent rise in emissions.
Despite this progress, agriculture and land use still account for about one-fifth of human-generated greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Lead author Ariel Ortiz-Bobea said the findings challenge the idea that climate goals and food production must always be in conflict.
He noted that past productivity gains show it is possible to increase output and reduce emissions at the same time if the right strategies are used.
The study also raises concerns about slowing investment in agricultural research and development, particularly in the United States.
Ortiz-Bobea warned that stagnation in R&D funding over the past four decades is beginning to affect productivity growth.
He said policymakers need clearer priorities when designing agricultural innovation policies, including whether to focus on output, emissions reduction, or both.
The researchers combined agricultural input and production data from the United States Department of Agriculture with emissions figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN.
Their analysis showed that technological improvements that increase land efficiency, such as better seeds and fertilizers, have played a larger role in lowering emissions than labour efficiencies.
While the study does not identify specific farming practices, it suggests that the direction of technological change in agriculture could support global decarbonisation efforts.
Ortiz-Bobea said further research is needed to better understand trade-offs and guide policies that balance productivity, climate goals and food security.
