This post originally appeared on Agri-Pulse.
Agri-Pulse and The Chicago Council on Global Affairs are teaming up to host a monthly column to explore how the US agriculture and food sector can maintain its competitive edge and advance food security in an increasingly globalized and dynamic world.
By Dan Glickman and Doug Bereuter
The US is a global leader in agriculture and food. In the last 150 years, technological advances and innovations in the production, processing, transportation, and retailing of food have spurred unprecedented economic growth at home and provided affordable food to billions of people worldwide. To maintain this competitive edge in the century to come, American agriculture will need new approaches and a renewed commitment to research, education, market engagement, and trade. It will also need to focus on meeting future food and fiber needs sustainably and nutritiously.
Today's agriculture and food system is increasingly global, with food demand driven by growing populations in Asia and Africa, and millions of people in emerging markets moving into the middle class. In 2012, American farmers sold more commodities in North Asia than they did in North America. US commodity exports to Sub-Saharan Africa have increased by 200 percent in the last decade. These will be America's growth markets well into the future.
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Growing the Global Competitiveness of the American Agriculture and Food Sector
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 – Designing Common Ground: Progressive Partnerships that Connect Smallholder Farmers
Matt Shakhovskoy of the Initiative for Smallholder Finance on developing progressive partnerships to address global food insecurity.
Guest Commentary – How Clocks Helped Grow Half a Million Tons of Food
Emily Hillenbrand of CARE USA on effective programming to divide household burdens equally among genders and increase female agricultural productivity.
Guest Commentary – Multisectoral Partnerships Created to Respond to Global Food and Nutrition Security Challenge
As part of our Food-Secure Future series, the ACRE Africa team discusses partnerships that are helping to secure progress in global agricultural development.
A Food-Secure Future: G7 and G20 Action on Agriculture and Food
The latest post in our Food-Secure Future series highlights the role of the G7 and the G20 in promoting 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.
Guest Commentary – Elevating the Smallholder Voice and Making Aid more Accountable for Improved Food and Nutrition Security
Anne Wanlund of Gardens for Health International on accountability and transparency in smallholder agriculture.
Guest Commentary – 3 Things You Should Know about Malnutrition in Mozambique
Beatrice Montesi on her observations of the malnutrition situation in Mozambique.
Guest Commentary – Agricultural Production Should Focus on Food Quality and Nutrition alongside Quantity and Yield
His Excellency John A. Kufuor on refocusing the food system on diet quality and nutrition.
Guest Commentary – Holding World Leaders to Account to End Malnutrition
Lucy Sullivan of 1,000 Days on the need for greater accountability in global nutrition efforts.
Guest Commentary – Private Sector Intervention in Global Food Security
Alaa Murabit on the role of private sector and government in achieving global food security.
A Food-Secure Future: African Accountability to Food Security and Agricultural Development
The latest post in our Food-Secure Future series discusses the structures that are encouraging increased accountability to food security and agricultural development across the African continent.
She Succeeds, We Succeed: Breaking Down the Legal Barriers to Girls’ and Women’s Empowerment
Ahead of International Women's Day, the She Succeeds blog series explores how to break down the legal barriers to girls' and women's empowerment, from lack of legal ID to land tenure and ending child marriage.
Big Ideas and Emerging Innovations
Highlighting approaches, technologies, and ideas that have the potential to radically advance global food security.
Guest Commentary – In Africa, Expecting More from Agriculture than Food Security
As part of our Food-Secure Future series, Agnes Kalibata of AGRA discusses economic opportunity is the driver of agricultural development.
Guest Commentary – The Agribusiness Case for Climate Leadership
As part of our Food-Secure Future series, Dr. Margaret Zeigler of Global Harvest Initiative discusses ways in which agribusinesses can engage in sustainable practices.