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This week's round up of the latest news, research, and policy developments from across global agriculture.
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Global Food Shortages a Growing US Security Concern, Malnutrition Deeply, March 23
Global access to food is a growing national security concern. Malnutrition Deeply spoke with Alesha Black, the council’s director of the global food and agriculture program, about why it is critical that young people be integrated into any emerging programs as there is a need to expand and intensify agricultural development so that the additional jobs are added.
SEE REPORT: Youth for Growth: Transforming Economies through Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 22
The Next Generation: Small Farms Mean Business, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 20
Agriculture holds the key to develop dynamic economies, a strong middle class, and decent work for the next generation—but only if the food system is managed effectively. For young people, this means developing not only technical skills, but also soft skills, such as communication, time management, and problem solving.
This Farmer Wants to Make Quinoa a ‘Thing’ in Rwanda, NPR, March 27
Cedric Habiyaremye has gone from a miserable youngster in a refugee camp in Tanzania to a PhD student studying crop science at Washington State University. As a Next Generation delegate for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, he spoke about the impact his mother and a 25 cents loan that allowed him to continue his studies had on his future success as a seed researcher.
Nigeria Needs to Boost Social Spending to Sustain Growth-Gates, Reuters, March 22
Nigeria needs to boost investment in social infrastructure to lift its population out of poverty and achieve a higher income status, says Bill Gates. Gates said in an interview that his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $1.6 billion so far in Nigeria to fund pilot projects targeted at healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion. But the government needs to boost spending in order to become self-sufficient.
SEE ALSO: Why I Was 'Very Direct' in Criticizing Nigerian Govt: Bill Gates, All Africa, March 27
Youth as the Future of the Global Food System, Food Tank, March 26
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs brought together leaders from across public and private sectors at the annual Global Food Security Symposium. This year’s report provides a framework for the joint objective of global youth engagement and global food security and also addressed the importance of not only listening to the voices of young people, but supporting them as leaders and partners in food and agriculture initiatives.
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GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
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UNICEF Asks for $350 Million for Starving Yemeni Children, Al Jazeera, March 25
The United Nations urgently needs $350m for hungry children in war-torn Yemen—a figure that is peanuts compared with what is being spent on deadly weapons in the conflict. About 8.4 million Yemenis face imminent famine as the country also battles cholera and diphtheria outbreaks.
UN: 124 Million People Suffer Hunger Worldwide, Al Jazeera, March 24
The number of people around the world who were severely hungry has risen from 80 million in 2015 to 124 million in 2017. Despite the wildest predictions, famines have become less frequent and less lethal over the past few decades. The remaining risk of famine and hunger is now concentrated in a relatively small number of countries affected by large-scale, severe, and protracted conflict.
The Innovation of Youth: The Key to Global Food Security, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 22
This global rise in young people presents both a problem and an opportunity. The problem? These young people need access to safe, nutritious food and they need to be ready and able to find productive work. The clear opportunity is to engage this generation to help grow, produce, and distribute more food, in increasingly productive and sustainable ways.
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US has Plenty to Gain from Brexit if UK is Willing to Negotiate, Agri-Pulse, March 28
Beef, poultry, dairy, and rice are just some of the commodities the United States could be exporting a lot more of to the United Kingdom if it breaks away from trade barriers when it exits the European Union. The European Union—and by extension the United Kingdom—has long banned US poultry because of concerns the meat is cleaned with chlorine, a practice the European Union says may be unsafe for consumers.
Merging USAID's Disaster Offices Means Answering Hard Questions. Here They Are., Opinion, Dina Espositio and Jereny Konyndyk, Devex, March 28
The Trump Administration’s recently released budget proposal outlines a plan to merge USADIS’s two humanitarian response offices—the Office of Food for Peace and the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance—into a new standalone humanitarian assistance bureau. Congress should press the administration to demonstrate that this is a constructive reform, not a fig leaf for deep funding cuts.
McConnell Looks to Complete Hemp's Comeback as Crop, AP, March 27
Hemp—marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin—would be removed from the controlled substances list under the bill that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has proposed. Supporters said the bill would bring more certainty for farmers, agribusinesses, and investors looking at the crop. The crop was historically used for rope, clothing, and mulch from the fiber, hemp milk, and cooking oil from the seeds, and soap and lotions.
What the Budget Bill Says About the Future of US Aid, Devex, March 26
The federal budget includes $54 billion for US foreign affairs programs, an amount close to recent spending levels. Many see this bill as a good sign but acknowledge that next year’s budget could be a more difficult discussion. However, in this bill Congress generally sent the message that humanitarian assistance is important and in the US interest.
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BIG IDEAS AND EMERGING INNOVATIONS
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Hong Kong's Skyline Farms Harvest More Happiness than Food, AP, March 27
Rooftop Republic, a three-year-old startup whose founders are tapping growing interest in organic food and taking advantage of unused roof space in the cramped, high-rent Chinese city. It has set up on average one farm a month since its founding and now manages 36 covering more than 30,000 square feet, including one in mainland China. It also provides workshops for companies, building owners, schools, and community groups.
Wheat in Heat: the 'Crazy Idea' that Could Combat Food Insecurity, Guardian, March 23
The International Centre for Research in the Dry Areas has developed a new strain of wheat that can withstand constant temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius, the heat of the African savannah. This new variety of wheat is fast growing, and can be harvested in just 92 days, ensuring it doesn’t impact on the rice. It can produce six tons per hectare, despite requiring less water than rice, and contains five times more protein, as well as more vitamins and minerals.
Empowering Decision Support with Big Data, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 23
Farmers everywhere are facing the challenge of improving agricultural productivity to meet the growing demands of an increasing and wealthier population, while placing less pressure on scarce water resources. The potential to increase yields and water use efficiency, however, must be balanced against financial, technological, social, and environmental constraints.
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FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ISSUES
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World’s Top Cocoa Producers Fight to Protect Forests, Washington Post, March 29
Park rangers in Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, are waging a campaign to protect national forests from the illegal farming of the raw ingredient in chocolate. Last year the governments of Ivory Coast and Ghana, another top cocoa producer, along with food giants Nestle, Mars, and Hershey, pledged to work together to end deforestation in the West African nations.
Ethiopia: Over 50,000 Smallholders Benefit from Inoculation Technology, Ethiopian Herald, March 24
International Livestock Research Institute said over 50,000 smallholder farmers have been reached with inoculation technology and were able to improve their yield on grain legume production during the past four years. The technology has enhanced production of grain legumes through nitrogen fixation in to the soil biologically. As a result, production yield of chickpea, soybean, fava bean, and common bean increased by 10, 36, 41, and 43 percent respectively above national average yields.
Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: The Dairy Community’s Contributions, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 22
The ability to nourish people amidst unprecedented population growth is a universal challenge and the US dairy community is committed to being part of the solution. The health of future generations is linked to the health of our planet, so sustainable diets must be at the core of the global response.
4-H is Growing True Leaders, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 21
America is facing a leadership crisis. Many young people today aren’t being given the opportunity to learn the tenacity, strategic-thinking, and people skills that they’ll need to lead—now and in the future. In 4‑H, we believe that every child has the potential to be a leader, and in order to fulfill that potential they need caring adult mentors, chances to develop practical skills, and opportunities to take on leadership roles.
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Changing the Lives of Women and Youth, One Orange Potato at a Time, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 25
Thirty four-year-old Agrippina struggled to meet the basic needs of her three children. She cultivated the land which was her livelihood alone and battled drought to harvest meager yields. But in 2012, Agrippina joined forces with other women and youth to form the Byabasambu Twimukye Association and cultivate a new future for their families.
What Are the Different Kinds of Dietary Iron, and How Should I Get Enough?, NPR, March 23
Iron's most conspicuous role is as a part of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body. Though iron is essential to anyone trying to stay alive, the amount one needs changes over the years. To complicate matters, not all iron is the same. There are two types: heme iron and non-heme iron.
To Unlock the Next Generation’s Potential, Nutrition is the Key, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 21
Susan Ejang, a midwife in northern Uganda, stunned the dozens of new mothers who gathered for her nutrition class: “Your child,” she boldly proclaimed, “can achieve great things.” As she dispensed advice on the best nutrition practices, Susan spoke for all those in Uganda, and all across Africa, who are counting on the next generation to lift their families, communities, and nation out of poverty.
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ENVIRONMENT, WATER, AND CLIMATE
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After Three Decades, Washington State Bans Atlantic Salmon Farms, NPR, March 26
Atlantic salmon farming has been banned from Washington state waters after Governor Jay Inslee signed the restrictions on nonnative fish farms into law. The move comes after an ill-fated fish started to come undone in a strong current on an otherwise calm summer day. The floating farm tore apart, letting as many as 250,000 Atlantic salmon escape into Puget Sound.
Afghanistan Faces Severe Clean Water Shortage, Al Jazeera, March 25
Afghanistan’s water crisis is one of the acutest in Asia. Less than a third of the country's population has access to clean drinking water. Thousands of children are dying each year because of contamination and poor sanitation. Time is running out for the war-torn country to come up with a solution to the water crisis, worsened by decades of conflict.
UN Chief Warns of Widespread Ills from Global Water Crisis, Washington Post, March 22
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put a spotlight on the global water crisis on World Water Day, saying that over 2 billion people lack access to safe water and more than 3 billion are affected by the scarcity of water. He said he has prepared an action plan to achieve UN goals for 2030, which include providing clean water and sanitation, protecting the environment, promoting economic development, and achieving zero hunger.
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GENDER AND GENERATIONAL INCLUSION
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Tanzania: Farming Drive Laudable, but Inclusivity Is Crucial, All Africa, March 28
The Small Industries Development Organization has launched a program to train small-scale farmers across the country on modern farming methods. This program targets female farmers, who are regarded as the leading producers of food crops worldwide. Statistics show that over 80 percent of food crops harvested globally are produced by small-scale farmers, 70 percent of them being women.
Youth Farm in Hawaii is Growing Food and Leaders, NPR, March 28
MA'O Organic Farms, part of 24 acres nestled in an emerald mountain-ringed valley just two miles from Oahu's west shore, seeks to grow the next generation of leaders. The area ranks among the poorest communities in the state of Hawaii, but interns who commit to two and a half years of work learn cooperation, accountability, and empowerment, while receiving free college tuition.
Millennials Are Driving the Worldwide Shift Away from Meat, Forbes, March 23
Millennials are shaking up the meat industry, which is seeing its customers increasingly turn towards plant-based alternatives at a blistering pace. Chuck Jolley, president of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, said plant-based meat substitutes are one of the six great challenges for agriculture in 2018.
From American Gothic to Migrant Mother, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, March 21
Picture a farmer. What do you see? Empowering women farmers is key to international security, but they are under-recognized and lack the rights and resources to effectively and efficiently fight their wars. Women are agriculture, but they are not its face—and that is a problem.
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MARKET ACCESS, TRADE, AND AGRIBUSINESS
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India’s Share in World Trade in Agriculture is Just Two Percent, Times of India, March 28
Though India has become a net exporter of many agricultural products, its share in world trade in agriculture is just 2 percent. Due to lack of adequate post-harvest and food processing infrastructure, more than 20 percent of cereals, and up to 40 percent of vegetables and fruits go waste. To expand exports, investment is needed in post-harvest management and food processing capabilities
How the Avocado Became the Fruit of Global Trade, New York Times, March 27
Mexico produces more avocados than any country in the world and most of its crop is grown in the rich volcanic soil of Michoacán. It is one of the miracles of modern trade that in 2017, Mexico’s most violent year on record, this cartel-riddled state exported more than 1.7 billion pounds of Haas avocados to the United States. The real marvel of Mexico’s avocado trade, however, is not so much its size as the speed of its sudden growth.
For US Farmers, China Tariffs’ Timing Is Brutal, Wall Street Journal, March 25
China is the second-biggest customer for US agricultural exports after Canada, and its planned tariffs on pork, fruit, nuts and other goods are expected to worsen the US farm economy’s slump. Farm incomes this year are expected to slide to their lowest level since 2006, according to the USDA, prolonging a downturn that has pushed some farmers out of business and eroded profits for seed, chemical and equipment companies.
SEE ALSO: 5 Ways China May Try to Win a Trade War With the US, NPR, March 22
SEE ALSO: China Warns US Not to Open Pandora's Box, Unleash Trade Ills on World, Reuters, March 29
Crop Uncertainty Drives Vanilla Price Back to Record Level, Financial Times, March 25
Uncertainty about this year’s crop in the world’s top grower Madagascar has driven the price of the spice back to record levels. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron and at current levels is more expensive than silver. The squeeze on vanilla beans has also pushed up the price of by-products of the beans.
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