
A worker collects palm oil fruit inside a palm oil factory in Salak Tinggi, outside Kuala Lumpur, August 4, 2014. REUTERS/Samsul Said
AWhere Raises $7 Million to Help Farmers Cope with Climate Change
Big-data analytics firm aWhere Inc. has raised $7 million in funding to help farmers cope with erratic weather and climate change. The company combines public and proprietary data about weather, rainfall, soil quality, the pricing of a given crop or commodity, and more. It then analyzes that data to give users forecasts and reports to guide their business decisions.
Fungus Could Be the Key to Avoiding a Global Food Crisis
The startup Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies has developed an organic seed treatment it calls BioEnsure that allows crops like rice and corn to withstand severe droughts and extreme temperatures. It’s based on fungi that enable plants to grow in extreme heat. Adaptive recently was chosen as one of 17 nominees for USAID’s Securing Water for Food Grand Challenge.
Saving Seeds Can Strengthen Food Security
Native Seeds/SEARCH, a local group in the American Southwest dedicated to strengthening food security, uses the indigenous technique of seed saving to prevent biocultural diversity loss. They say that strengthening food security through seed conservation techniques prevents against food crises.
Can These GMO Foods Save the World?
Not all GM foods are apples modified to be a brighter shade of red. Some really have the potential to feed millions of people in developing nations, and offer everything from resistance to disease and insects to a higher nutritive value. Read on to learn about 11 genetically modified foods that just might save the world.
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 – Gainesville to Havana: Enhancing US-Cuban Agriculture through Research, Collaboration, and Investment
In the latest from the Agri-Pulse and Chicago Council column series, Jack Payne of the University of Florida discusses potential US engagement in Cuban agricultural markets.
How Can Cover Crop Use Help to Achieve Global Food Security?
Next Generation Delegate Rachel Atwell on the use of cover crops to enhance agricultural productivity around the world.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Rising Food Needs Put Pressure on Sustainable Agriculture
Next Generation Delegate Gretchen Knoth on the challenges that inhibit global food security and agricultural development.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Technological Transformation: A Way to Increase Food Availability around the World
2016 Next Generation Delegate Yangxuan Liu on technological innovations to improve agricultural productivity and develop supply chains.
What Happens When Good Policy is Good Politics
Erik Pederson, Director of Congressional Relations at the Council, discusses his experience at the White House Summit on Global Development and the significance of the Global Food Security Act.
Guest Commentary – Better Seed for a Better Life: The Senate Should Ratify the Plant Genetics Treaty
In the latest from the Agri-Pulse and Council column series, Andrew LaVigne of the American Seed Trade Association discusses the opportunities presented by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Institutional Support of Weather Index Insurance for Smallholder Integration
2016 Next Generation Delegate Christopher Au on the provision of agricultural insurance to smallholders.
Guest Commentary — Raising Agricultural Productivity in Africa
Sylvain Roy of CNFA on encouraging the creation of sustainable farmer-based organizations in Africa.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Beyond the African Smallholder Productivity Gap
2016 Next Generation Delegate Faridah O. Ibrahim on reducing the productivity gap in African agriculture.
Don't Forget Agriculture: Lessons from Venezuela
A look at the role of stunted agricultural development in Venezuela's recent hunger crisis.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
