We are launching a new series, Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations, to highlight approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance sustainable and nutritious food security globally. The Global Food for Thought News Brief and blog will regularly feature the latest news and events regarding these big ideas and emerging innovations. Contact us to share your thoughts and ideas for this series.
REUTERS/Jim Young
How Cows Are Becoming Smart Connected Products
A Texas-based startup wants to bring universal connectivity to cows by feeding them electronic pills that will sit in their stomachs and transmit their vital signs to farmers, heading off costly livestock illnesses or death. Electronically checking cattle’s vitals could cut down on what the USDA estimates is nearly $2.4 billion a year in losses from animal illnesses that lead to death.
The ‘Super’ Banana that Fights for Truth, Justice and Healthy Levels of Vitamin A
Each year, vitamin A deficiency inflicts between 250,000 and 500,000 young people with early-life blindness, and in half of those cases, it also brings death. Scientists are now genetically engineering “super” bananas that are fortified with alpha- and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. The project is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Young Foresters Help Improve Forests' Food Access, Economic Influence
Patches of trees outside of forests, even in urban areas, can be important ecosystems, providing many of the same resources and opportunities as large forested areas, especially in terms of food sources. Young foresters, especially in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, are taking the lead in studying how these patches can improve food and nutrition in communities.
Global Land Prices and the Future of Farming
We already produce enough food to feed 9 billion people, but an estimated 40 per cent of it is lost in the production chain. Clearly, there is room for efficiency. And that has less to do with land purchasing and more with investments in farming like sustainable irrigation systems and the adoption of military-led technology in drone surveillance and remote soil monitoring.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
About
The Global Food and Agriculture Program aims to inform the development of US policy on global agricultural development and food security by raising awareness and providing resources, information, and policy analysis to the US Administration, Congress, and interested experts and organizations.
The Global Food and Agriculture Program is housed within the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. The Council on Global Affairs convenes leading global voices and conducts independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. The Council is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business, and governments engage the world.
Support for the Global Food and Agriculture Program is generously provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Blogroll
1,000 Days Blog, 1,000 Days
Africa Can End Poverty, World Bank
Agrilinks Blog
Bread Blog, Bread for the World
Can We Feed the World Blog, Agriculture for Impact
Concern Blogs, Concern Worldwide
Institute Insights, Bread for the World Institute
End Poverty in South Asia, World Bank
Global Development Blog, Center for Global Development
The Global Food Banking Network
Harvest 2050, Global Harvest Initiative
The Hunger and Undernutrition Blog, Humanitas Global Development
International Food Policy Research Institute News, IFPRI
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Blog, CIMMYT
ONE Blog, ONE Campaign
One Acre Fund Blog, One Acre Fund
Overseas Development Institute Blog, Overseas Development Institute
Oxfam America Blog, Oxfam America
Preventing Postharvest Loss, ADM Institute
Sense & Sustainability Blog, Sense & Sustainability
WFP USA Blog, World Food Program USA
Archive
Guest Commentary – Till: Big Data from Small Farms
As part of the "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Justin Oberman of Till Mobile discusses the use of mobile technology to get farmers access to real time supply chain data.Growth Opportunities and Growing Pains in a Changing Global Food System
In the latest piece from the Agri-Pulse and Council on Global Affairs column series, Alesha Black, director of Global Food and Agriculture, discusses the Council's latest report and the investment opportunities presented by food system growth.Guest Commentary – How Access to Long-Established Technology Can Help Feed Growing Cities
Macani Toungara of TechnoServe on private sector investments that are helping Nigerian farmers gain access to much-needed tractors.Growing Food for Growing Cities: Engaging the Private Sector
The latest post in our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series highlights the opportunity for private sector investment in agricultural development.Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting technologies, approaches, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.Catherine Bertini to be Inducted into Cortland County Hall of Fame
Catherine Bertini, distinguished fellow of global agriculture at the Council and former cochair of the Council’s Global Food and Agriculture Program, will be inducted into the Cortland County Hall of Fame.Guest Commentary – 3 Steps for Tackling Food Loss and Waste
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Shenggen Fan of IFPRI and Andrew Steer of WRI discuss measures that can be taken to reduce global food waste.Growing Food for Growing Cities: Tackling Food Waste along the Supply Chain
The latest post in our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series discusses interventions to address food waste along developing supply chains.Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.Guest Commentary – Social Protection: A Game Changer in Reaching Zero Hunger
As part of our "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series, Faustine Wabwire of Bread for the World discusses the need for stakeholder coordination to end hunger.Water Scarcity, Urbanization, and Climate Change are a Combined Threat to Supply Chains in the Developing World
Council senior fellow Michael Tiboris discusses the impacts of urbanization, agricultural growth, and climate change on global water availability as part of the "Growing Food for Growing Cities" series.