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Jun. 2, 2011 Verbal Testimony of Doug DeVries, Senior Vice President Agriculture & Turf Global Marketing Services, Deere & Company before the Senate Committee on Agriculture on May 26, 2011: Chairman Stabenow, Senator Johanns and distinguished Members of the Committee, my name is Doug DeVries. I am the Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Turf Global Marketing Services for John Deere. On behalf of John Deere, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today on the issue that is perhaps the single most important challenge facing our country, our company, and the world - global food security. For 174 years, John Deere has been driven by a consistent purpose - improving productivity and efficiency of our equipment for the benefit of our customers. As this committee begins deliberation on the future of United States food and agricultural policy, Deere believes it is critical that policies and programs be reviewed in the light of the global opportunities and challenges now facing agriculture. It is more important than ever that future policy reflects the new reality in agriculture, one that entails more volatility, a greater need for risk management and a growing reliance on international commerce. The United States has long recognized the importance of strategic food and agriculture policy in supporting rural development, economic improvement and social well-being, both at home and around the world. Strong partnerships between the public and private sector will be increasingly important in achieving these strategic goals and Deere is committed to that opportunity. Global agriculture faces significant challenges in the years ahead. The world's population is growing - at least 30% more people (over nine billion) by mid-century. And, this population will have increased purchasing power - meaning improved and more varied diets - while becoming increasingly urbanized. These givens require that we double agricultural output by mid-century. And, we must achieve this additional output in a sustainable manner - doubling output while not appreciably increasing inputs. For example, most of the world's productive agricultural land is already in use. Incremental acreage can be brought into production, but it tends to be less fertile, more costly to farm, and often less suitable for sustainability. Clean water is also becoming increasingly scarce - for urban and industrial needs, but significantly, for agricultural irrigation. Add to these challenges unpredictable weather patterns, and the enormity of the task becomes very clear. In short, we must produce more food in the next three decades than we have in the previous 10,000 years! So, how can we sustainably double agricultural output by mid-century? Clearly we must be more productive than we are today. Specifically, the rate of future agricultural productivity growth must increase compared to the trend rates of the past. Although the challenge to boost agricultural productivity is significant, the technologies exist or are under development, to help do just that - not only in mechanization but also in crop and livestock genetics and importantly, in water use efficiency. Advances in machinery will play a big part in reaching this goals as well as agricultural equipment gets ever more powerful, smarter, and more efficient. Today's large Deere tractors include more lines of software code than early space shuttles! GPS technology guides tractors and implements in the field with near-perfect precision, reducing overlap in tillage, seeding, and crop care applications thereby reducing input usage while saving time, fuel and dollars while reducing environmental impacts. Additionally, Deere strongly believes that strategic investments must be made in expanding and enhancing infrastructure. Investing in infrastructure in rural areas will enhance prosperity and significantly boost agricultural output. That investment also requires a focus on "soft" infrastructure - those policies that reduce or eliminate legal, financial and social barriers to land ownership, property rights, and investment across the entire agricultural value chain. We must also prioritize investments in research that will help accelerate agricultural productivity. We've failed to increase investments in this area in recent decades, despite this growing challenge. Targeted priority research in efficient water use, specific crop genomics, agronomic practices, enhanced nutritional and health benefits of crops, and reducing post-harvest losses will pay enormous dividends. Finally, we strongly believe that expanding access to markets worldwide is critical and that the United States must lead in those efforts. One quarter of all food and agricultural products today is traded, and that figure will grow, making trade even more integral to improving food security for a growing global population. We believe the challenge before global agriculture still is not as well understood as it must be. This challenge requires us to think differently and to act much more aggressively to ensure future generations are able to flourish while protecting critical natural resources. To promote awareness of this challenge, and the opportunities, Deere joined DuPont, Monsanto, and ADM to form the Global Harvest Initiative in 2008. GHI collaborates with key partners in the related spaces of food security, hunger, environment/conservation, economic development, sustainability and national security to promote policies that can ensure we meet global agricultural demands while responsibly meeting societal needs. In closing, I want to express our optimism, no.... our confidence, in agriculture's ability to accelerate productivity and growth sufficient to meet the future requirements for food, feed, fuel and fiber. It will not be an easy task, but it can be done. I am also confident that John Deere can contribute significantly to meeting this obligation. We certainly compliment this Committee for its forward-looking approach to developing food and agriculture policy for the future. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input today and stand ready to work with you in the future. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify, and I will be pleased to respond to any questions the Committee may have. Tweet |
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