Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Food 2.0: The Future of What We Eat
It was perhaps inevitable that food would become the next industry to face the bright heat of Silicon Valley disruption. The innovation driving the latest wave of food start-ups rests less on the discovery of a brand-new magic ingredient and more on a combination of data science, marketing, and sheer ambition.
Biogas, a Low-Tech Fuel with a Big Payoff
Around the world, household-run operations and industrial-scale facilities are using centuries-old technology to extract a fuel known as biogas from crop waste, manure, kitchen scraps, and even sewage. Proponents cite the benefits of harnessing biogas, such as reducing emissions, cutting waste streams, and saving the lungs of those in poor countries who would otherwise burn wood indoors.
Thirty Percent of World's Food Wasted, New Online Platform Seeks Savings
The Global Community of Practice of Food Loss Reduction web portal allows users to get information about ways of reducing waste. In developed countries, food waste usually occurs in homes or restaurants. Most of the developing world's spoilage happens during storage or transport, as infrastructure for refrigeration and preservation is often inadequate.
Nestlé Milk Factory Shake-up Aims to End Drain on Water Resources
Nestlé’s milk plant in central Mexico is the first of its kind in the world not to rely on external water sources, instead, it runs on “cow water”. By recycling the waste fluid extracted from milk when it is powdered, the company has already slashed its global water use by a third since 2005. Nestlé aims to roll out the zero-water technology in other plants worldwide.
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.