REUTERS/Siegfried Modola
Livestock Insurance Could Protect Cattle-Herders in Africa from Drought
Index-Based Livestock Insurance, being piloted in Kenya, uses data from satellite imagery to assess the impact of drought on the vegetation that livestock need to survive, allowing insured pastoralists to receive a pay-out in times of drought based on predicted rather than actual livestock deaths. It is a promising option for addressing poverty traps that arise from catastrophic drought risk.
What Do African Farmers Want? More Manure
The Guardian Project Foundation’s initiative works as a pay-it-forward scheme, with farmers given a female sheep or goat as an interest free loan. Access to manure from the animal can increase crop yields by up to 300%. The increased income and greater stability in the communities involved in the project has led to significant improvements outside farming and food, including in healthcare and education.
Arctic Greenhouse Provides Locals Fresh Produce Year-Round
A greenhouse based in a northern Canadian community is providing fresh local produce for residents of the Arctic region for the first time. The greenhouse will help improve local food security by extending the growing season past the summer months.
Solar Energy: A Sunflower Solution to Electricity Shortage
IBM revealed the prototype of its advanced solar electricity generators: the machines can convert 80% of the sun’s radiation into electricity and hot water. At present, about 1.3 billion people have no access to electricity. However, that figure is dwarfed by the number—2.5 billion—who have no access to proper sanitation; a number that is currently increasing at a rate of 9% a year.
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
Next Generation 2018 - How Can Diplomacy Prevent Food Price Shocks?
The first post in the 2018 Next Generation blog series is by Craig Robinson, PhD candidate at the Australian National University.
The World's Eyes Are Watching Colombia's Orinoquia
Orinoquia represents a rare opportunity to make decisions that are good for both the population and the planet.
Rural Girl Allies Build Stable States
When rural girls are not safe, there will not be lasting global peace and security.
Guest Commentary - Hidden Infections Deplete Girls' Education Momentum and Undercut Economic Growth for All
In order to generate the projected trillions of dollars in economic growth gender equality can bring, we must first ensure that girls stay in school.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
This Week's Edition of the Global Food for Thought News Brief
Check out this week's news brief.
As Rural Girls Rise, so Do the World’s Economic Markets
Millions of rural girls have yet to receive the education, financial resources, and public health investments that they need in order to rise beyond poverty. Before economic gains can be realized, global leaders must invest in girls.
Guest Commentary - The Future of Work depends on Electrification for Rural Girls
While those with unlimited access to the digital world are gradually adapting to new job markets, those without exposure are falling behind in the technical skills necessary to stay competitive.
The Future of Work is Female
When investment in rural educataion and infastrucure lags, we are holding girls back—and holding back economic growth for us all.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Guest Commentary - Women and Girls: Land Rights for Climate Resilience
Rural women and girls can be actors for climate resilience rather than victims of inequality and circumstance—if given the right resources.
Rural Girls Are on the Front Lines of Climate Change
Conversations on climate change are usually peppered with industrial terms: greenhouse gases, industry offsets, carbon credits. But one of the most powerful levers to reduce climate change remains largely overlooked: empowering girls through education.
Guest Commentary - Our Rivers are Barometers of Environmental Neglect - It’s Time to Clean Them Up
Just as monitoring a person’s blood can tell us a lot about their health, so can monitoring water quality, animal and plant life, and river conditions tell us a lot about the state of a catchment and the critical pressures on a river.