Professor Mark Tester

The impact to help the world cope with a growing problem.

According to the United Nations, 850 million people across the world are hungry and this problem is growing. According to Professor Mark Tester at the University of Adelaide, we can make a difference.

Professor Mark Tester and his team are part of a global effort to help people feed themselves. A major problem is that the level of salt in the world’s rivers is increasing at an alarming rate. Our own Murray River, for example, is becoming increasingly saline. Furthermore, three quarters of Australia’s wheat belt now produces less than it ought because of salt-poisoned soils.

“We’re applying fundamental academic knowledge to address real problems that impact on agriculture and the food we eat.”

Mark believes one answer lies in the development of plants that can flourish in tough conditions.

“We have developed a new strain of rice that shows particular promise. Progress is being made. But it could always be faster.

“Every day though, we move closer to making a real impact on how to grow our crops better.”