To satisfy the world’s growing demand for food, scientists are trying to create varieties of corn, wheat and other crops that can thrive with little water.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected on Thursday to announce proposals for regulating the meat and milk from genetically engineered animals.

Monsanto pledged to develop seeds that would double the yields of corn, soybeans and cotton by 2030 and would require 30 percent less water, land and energy to grow.

Soaring food prices and grain shortages are bringing new pressures to use genetically engineered crops.