September 26, 2016

Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations


Free-range chickens gather indoors at Grassington Farm near Lewes in southern England. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor 

Farmers Enlist Chickens and Bugs to Battle against Pests
In an effort to turn away from chemical pesticides, which have the potential to damage the environment, some farmers are looking in a new direction in the age-old struggle against pests. They're warding off intruding insects and noxious weeds with bugs and chickens. They also use "trap crops," sacrificial plants not raised for harvest but that are extra tasty to pesky insects like squash bugs.

The Real Junk Food Project: Revolutionizing How We Tackle Food Waste
The Real Junk Food Project is a network of independent cafes that serves food made from supermarket waste food on a pay-what-you-feel basis. The only rule is that the cafes must feed everyone, not just the poor, as the project is more about tackling food waste than poverty. Food waste cafes have even popped up at a few schools located in food deserts to help feed children and improve their school performance.

This Organic Seed Company Wants to Help Feed the Hungry
Mauro Seed is a company with a social mission—to empower everyone on the planet to feed themselves. For every packet of seed they sell, they donate one packet to someone in need. In addition, the company works with giving partners who distribute seed and teach sustainable agriculture.

Open Data Can Help #EndHunger
Increasing the use of open data to solve the major challenges of food insecurity is one key reason the US became a founding member of the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) network. The GODAN network seeks to support global efforts to make agricultural and nutrition data available, accessible, and usable for unrestricted use worldwide. This initiative focuses on building high-level policy as well as public and private institutional support for open data.

 

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







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.