The next-generation crops domain focuses on innovative breeding and genetic engineering. As climate change threatens global food security, these innovations aim to equip agriculture to adapt and thrive under changing climatic, production and market conditions. Some approaches focus on improving the carbon sequestration capacity of crops, while others seek to make crops more resilient or less resource-intensive—ultimately reducing emissions and paving the way toward a more sustainable and adaptable food future.
About This Domain
Next-generation crops are a suite of innovations designed to ensure food security, nutritional quality, and environmental sustainability in the face of accelerating climate change. These crops are engineered to thrive under future climatic and resource conditions, often integrating various beneficial traits. In the context of warming likely to exceed 2.5°C by the end of the century, where tipping points and feedback loops threaten food systems, next-gen crops represent a critical adaptation and mitigation frontier. They can offer resilience to climate extremes, improved carbon sequestration, reduced reliance on agrochemicals through improved nutrient efficiency and plant-microbe synergies, and higher yields via enhanced photosynthesis. These innovations enable diversified, low-emission farming across emerging production environments.
Projects And Pilots
Explore our interactive maps to navigate the landscape of food system innovations. The systems map visualizes connections between next-generation crops innovations and the projects advancing them, while the world map highlights where these innovations are being developed and tested. Click on any innovation or project to learn more about them.
