But the yield is increasing rapidly, and there is far less energy use, fertilizer which pollutes streams and the ocean, pesticides, and tillage which causes soil loss and releases co2 into the atmosphere.
I don't think there is any doubt this is the direction we need to go. Unless, of course, you are interested in maximizing the profits of certain corporations.
Actually, there is great doubt. Many environmental campaigners are coming around to intensification broadly as the path out of our current environmental problems. Check out http://www.ecomodernism.org/ a bunch of ex-greenpeace types that are concerned with practical solutions. Tripling yield takes a long time and wheat, and especially corn, is on an exponential improvement curve. https://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/yieldtren...
I don't think there is any doubt this is the direction we need to go. Unless, of course, you are interested in maximizing the profits of certain corporations.