The Royal Society has published a report that argues the need for a 'sustainable intensification' of global agriculture in which yields are increased without adverse environmental impact and without the cultivation of more land. It states that the Research Councils UK(RCUK) should develop a cross-council "grand challenge" on global food crop security as a priority. This needs to secure at least approximately £2 billion over 10 years to make a substantial difference.

In 2009, the Technology Strategy Board announced plans to establish a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform to bring together government, business and researchers to focus on the development and adoption of new technologies to increase sustainable food productivity, while decreasing environmental impact.

This report, published in 2009, was commissioned by Defra and produced by researchers at the University of Exeter Centre for Rural Policy research. The purpose of this study was to take a fresh look at the nature of organic production, consumption and marketing in England and Wales in order to better assess its current and likely contribution to rural development and its ability to meet consumer expectations. Based on a mixed methodological approach the study consulted with 2,300 individuals to reveal a complex and multi-dimensional sector with a highly committed consumer base.