November 10, 2014

Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations

A farmer picks coffee bean cherries on the outskirts of Kigali. REUTERS/Hereward Holland

Rwanda Farmer Test May Prove Value of Climate Forecasts
An experiment in Rwanda is testing whether farming communities are more likely to adapt their agricultural practices to cope with climate change if the government provides timely weather forecasts. The Tracking Adaptation and Measuring Development framework will show whether providing this information will curb crop and livestock losses.

'Foodini' Machine Lets You Print Edible Burgers, Pizza, Chocolate
As further proof that you can now 3D-print anything, a company called Natural Machines has introduced a 3D printer for food. Currently, the device only prints the food, which must then be cooked as usual. But a future model will also cook the preparation and produce it ready to eat.
 
PCD Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant for Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development
With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Partnership for Child Development is pursuing an innovative research project titled, ‘Using Mobile Phones for Transparent School Feeding Tendering.’ The project will develop a software platform, using tools like mobile phones, to improve market information within Kenya’s Home Grown School Meals program.
 
A Non-GMO Way to Get More, Tastier Tomatoes
Researchers have developed tools that make it easier for plant breeders to find plants with the optimal version of the two proteins for a particular variety of tomato. The technique doesn't involve inserting genes, as with GMOs, but rather, selecting desired genes in tomatoes.

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

Healthy Food for a Healthy World: Accelerating Nutrition

Beginning this week, The Chicago Council will highlight the recommendations from the new report, Healthy Food for a Healthy World: Leveraging Agriculture and Food to Improve Global Nutrition, in a weekly blog series. 

Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations

Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance sustainable and nutritious food security globally.



Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations

Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance sustainable and nutritious food security globally.







Stopping Malnutrition's Assault on Our Health and Economy

In The Huffington Post, Global Agricultural Development Initiative cochairs Doug Bereuter and Dan Glickman outlines the recommendations in The Chicago Council's new report, Healthy Food for a Healthy World: Leveraging Agriculture and Food to Improve Nutrition.


Leverage Trade Policy to Tap Future Food Markets

Lisa Moon and Andrea Durkin outline how trade policy could increase the United States' share of the growing African food market for the Agri-Pulse and Chicago Council monthly column series