There's a lot that can still be done with conventional plant breeding. The aims are to increase yields, nutritional value and disease resistance. And those two will become much more important as the climate gets hotter. There are also crops that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere to make protein.
Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with missiles and drones. Ukraine’s air defences are struggling to keep up, and many households are without power as winter approaches. Bill Gates has a plan to boost African crop yields. And as the BBC turns 100, we reflect on its legacy, and look at challenges ahead. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer