Scientists Found a Gene That Could Make It Easier to Feed More than Half the World's Population
Because so many people depend on rice, maintaining a steady supply of the crop is a necessary task. But it's a challenging one too. Everything from flooding and drought to poor crop quality can make it difficult to ensure farmers meet the global demand. Researchers think they may have a solution: GMO rice that's been modified to have longer, hardier grains that cook faster and taste better. 
 
Autogrill Partners with FAO to Reduce Food Waste, Support Small-Scale Producers
Autogrill, the multinational company known for its motorway and airport restaurants in 30 countries, is partnering with FAO to cut down food waste and losses and support the introduction of products of small-scale farmers in developing countries. Under the three-year agreement, FAO will provide Autogrill with tools to track and reduce food losses and waste across its more than 4000 stores.
 
Breakthrough 'African Seed Index' Analyzes Seed Sectors for Viability and Diversity
In an international effort to boost food security, Cornell International Institute for Food and Agricultural Development and Market Matters, Inc. collaborated to create The African Seed Access Index. This unique initiative allows for a cross-country comparison and in-depth analysis of the seed sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. These assessments illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of seed sectors in each country, and show promise for future improvements.
 
Sweet Sorghum: Zero Waste Plant
Sweet sorghum is a multi-purpose crop: it can be used to make syrup, paper, animal feed, and fuel. When processed properly, sweet sorghum leaves zero waste. It also has the potential to produce more ethanol than corn. Whether it’s just a trend in cooking or will become the next big fuel provider, sweet sorghum is grabbing the attention of innovators.
 
Janine Benyus: Inventing the Eco-Industrial Age
Could a large-scale industrial factory actually be designed to be good for the environment and for the ecosystem that surrounds it? And could that, in turn, generate long-term economic value for the population of people connected to that factory? Janine Benyus, founder of the Biomimicry Institute, helps clients tap into biology and planetary science as a new source of tech innovation.