The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibilities and limitations of avoiding the undesirable effects of energy crops on land use and food security by increasing agricultural productivity through investments in R&D. An extended version of the MAGNET CGE model is used to model the R&D investments in agriculture to compensate the effects of 15 EJ to 100 EJ biomass supply from woody and grassy energy crop plantations. We conclude that investments in agriculture R&D are a potentially effective and low-cost strategy, but early planning and timing of bioenergy policies with investments in R&D in agriculture is essential.