Guest Commentary – Like to Eat? Then You Need to Care About Biodiversity…and the Dung Beetle, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, May 23

While it may seem far-fetched, climate change is actually the second most urgent environmental problem facing humanity. A more pressing issue is the decline of biodiversity. Why? Because once a species goes extinct, then it’s game over. Agriculture can, and must, be the leading edge of a solution.

Policy 360 – The First 1,000 Days, Duke Sanford, May 16

Journalist Roger Thurow has traveled the world to see firsthand the challenges many mothers face as a part of an exploration of a worldwide initiative to end early childhood malnutrition. He met new mothers and babies in Uganda, India, Guatemala, and Chicago, and tells their stories in the book The First Thousand Days: A Crucial Time for Mothers and Children – and the World.

Rice, the Staple Food of Billions, Could Become Less Nutritious Because of Climate Change, Washington Post, May 23

Rice contains lower levels of key vitamins when grown amid high concentrations of carbon dioxide, the most common of the greenhouse gases driving climate change. The study found that at the high concentrations, the crop’s content of the vitamins B1, B2, B5, and B9 all declined, including by as much as 30 percent for B9 (folate). The research also confirmed previously discovered declines in protein, iron and zinc.

Treasury Secretary Says US, China Have Suspended Tariffs, Wall Street Journal, May 21

The United States suspended its threat to put tariffs on $150 billion in imports of Chinese goods while negotiations with China continue, but President Trump could still impose the tariffs depending on the progress of the deal. Any surge in US agriculture exports to China depends on settling the trade dispute and on China substantially easing trade barriers on US exports of pork and corn, among other products.

Following a Tuna from Fiji to Brooklyn – on the Blockchain, Wired, May 22

Each stop on a fish's journey, from the landing dock in Fiji to the processing facility to the truck that drove it to Brooklyn, can be cataloged on the blockchain. Supply chains appear to be a legitimate use case for the technology, tracking materials as they move around the globe. There are promising signs, but also serious hurdles to deploying this tech broadly in logistics. It likely will be years, if not decades, before that happens.

Why All Supermarkets Should Get Rid of “Best before” Labels on Fruits and Vegetables, Quartz, May 23

Britain’s biggest supermarket Tesco is getting rid of “best before” labels on fruits and vegetables in a bid to help cut down on food waste. Tesco made the decision after a survey found that most Brits confuse “best before” labels, an indicator of quality, with “use by” labels, an indicator of safety.

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AfDB: Is the Korean Experience Relevant Today?, the African report, May 24

Korea’s outward-oriented trade strategy was a cautious and gradual trade liberalization policy. African countries must set clear targets for increased intra-African trade and exposure to global competition. The efforts must focus on the continent’s competitive advantages, particularly in value chains linked to agriculture. Opportunities abound for greater local value addition in African agricultural value chains.
 

Somalia’s “Strongest Cyclone on Record” Has Left Dozens Dead and Thousands Displaced, Quartz, May 22

Tropical cyclone Sagar has wreaked havoc across the Horn of Africa, leaving at least 15 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. The cyclone, which is being called the strongest ever recorded in Somalia, left a trail of destruction including loss of livestock and crops and destruction of homes, as well as massive damage to infrastructure.

New Project Safeguards Rohingya Refugees; Boosts Local Farming – UN Migration Agency, UN News, May 22

The International Organization for Migration is overseeing the dredging of abandoned canals in the Cox’s Bazar area, which is home to around 700,000 mainly-Muslim Rohingya who have fled violence in northern Myanmar. The project will not only help safeguard livelihoods when the monsoon hits by reducing the risk of flooding, it will also provide much-needed irrigation channels during the dry season.

Venezuela's Maduro Wins Boycotted Elections amid Charges of Fraud, NPR, May 21

Venezuelan leftist President Nicolás Maduro has easily won a second term, but his main rivals have refused to accept the results, calling the polling fraudulent — a view shared by the United States and many independent observers. Since 2013, Maduro has presided over a collapsing economy, hyperinflation, widespread hunger, and a mass of refugees trying to escape the desperate conditions.

SEE ALSO: President Trump Approves New Sanctions on Venezuela, NPR, May 22

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Go Deeper: How One Crop Illustrates the China Trade War that Wasn’t, Axios, May 23

A look at the trials and tribulations of one US agricultural product, sorghum, tells the story of how the United States reached the brink of a trade war with China—and then swiftly retreated. Sorghum growers and exporters were caught in the middle of a US and Chinese trade policy fight so volatile that it stranded sorghum-laden American ships before they reached their destinations in China.

Q&A: Former Acting USAID Administrator Warren Shares His Insights on the Agency's Evolving Role, Devex, May 21

After nearly three decades at the United States Agency for International Development, serving in a variety of positions including acting administrator, Wade Warren left with much fanfare. In an interview with Devex, Warren talks his biggest successes and failures in his past work and the need for USAID to continually foster interagency cooperation in tackling global challenges and crises.

USDA Unveils Prototypes for GMO Food Labels, and They're....Confusing, NPR, May 19

After Congress passed a bill in 2016 requiring labels on foods containing GMO ingredients, the USDA launched a long process to figure out the specifics. The newly released, proposed labels are brightly colored and feature the letters B-E, which are unfamiliar to the US consumers. The USDA said it was not able to speak about the labels until they are finalized.

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The Laser Battle against Blood-Sucking Parasites of the Deep, Wired, May 23

The world’s largest salmon fishery, Marine Harvest, is threatened by sea lice. The outbreak is in its early stages, but the company began to test a new device, dubbed Stingray, to keep sea lice at bay. It uses AI programming to identify aberrations in color and texture on the fish’s scales. When it detects lice, the bot zaps them with a surgical diode laser beam, killing the pest but leaving the fish unscathed.

This Robotic Pollinator is like a Huge Bee with Wheels and an Arm, Wired, May 23

A new technology, Bramble Bee could help feed our kind. The innovation determines if a flower is ready for pollination then uses a small 3D-printed brush to gently stroke the blossom. This transfers pollen from the plant’s anthers to its pistils, where pollination commences. The robot will even remember what flowers it already hit, so it can make multiple runs as the plants mature in the greenhouse.

The Newest Thing in Beer: Ancient Yeast, Wall Street Journal, May 20

There is a new movement brewing in the beer world: trying to find the weirdest, funkiest yeast. Small genetic differences within species account for the many strains of yeast, which along with hops and other ingredients, determine the aroma and flavor of beer. Global drinks companies are hoping new and exclusive brews with a story behind them will entice consumers who are increasingly migrating to wine and spirits.

Blockchain Technology is being Used in the Early Disruption of Kenya’s Agribusiness, Quartz, May 19

IBM has been working with the Kenya-based food logistics startup Twiga Foods to facilitate micro-lending options for food vendors in emerging markets. After analyzing purchase records recorded on mobile devices, IBM researchers determine creditworthiness, after which they use blockchain technology to administer the entire lending experience from application to receiving offers to accepting terms of repayment.

Will AI be a bane or boon for global development? UNDP, May 18

Global predictions for AI in agriculture suggest it will be worth more than $2.6 billion by 2025. Increased investments are propelling the development and commercial deployment of technologies, from yield prediction algorithms to drone irrigation and discovery of next-generation proteins in biotechnology.

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FAO and ICA Sign New Partnership in Lead up to the UN Decade of Family Farming, FAO, May 14

The International Co-operative Alliance and FAO renewed their partnership, paving the way for more joint efforts to enable smallholder and small-scale family farmers in the developing world to benefit from a unique and successful business model that combines economic and social goals for inclusive development.

Ethiopia: A Way Forward for Food, Land Use in Ethiopia, Opinion, Gemedo Dalle, Paul Polmangemedo Dalle, and Paul Polman, All Africa, May 12

To unlock the potential of better food and land use, business leaders and policy-makers working in the food and land sectors need long-term science-based targets and pathways to make better-informed decisions. Efforts to grow collective knowledge, develop long-term strategies, and invest in innovations are key to the future success.

The 82 Words That Could Shape the Future of Clean Meat, Quartz, May 11

A new bill would give the USDA authority to regulate how cell-cultured meat products are labeled and inspected for safety. The inclusion of this new provision indicates there’s enough political will by meat-industry lobbying groups to try and shape the future regulation of cell-cultured meat through an act of Congress.

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Hey, Salad Lovers: It's OK to Eat Romaine Lettuce Again, NPR, May 22

If you've avoided romaine lettuce because of the E. coli outbreak, you can start buying it again. After weeks of warnings to toss out romaine grown in the Yuma, Arizona, region, the CDC says there are no longer any greens coming from this region. The romaine that's for sale now in restaurants and supermarkets nationwide is coming from California's Salinas Valley.

The Truth about Organic Produce and Pesticides, Opinion, Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, May 21

It’s certainly possible for pesticide residue levels to be high enough that they pose a health threat. But in high-income countries, where these things are regulated and tracked, it’s unlikely. Not only should American parents not worry about feeding our kids fruits and vegetables, we should also try to get them to eat as many as possible, conventional or organic. But the risk isn’t zero, and our ability to assess it isn’t perfect.

Counting Calories Won't Reduce Obesity. So Why Are We Requiring Restaurants to Post Them?, Opinion, Nina Teicholz, Los Angeles Times, May 20

Counting calories doesn't work—and it distracts us from what does work. Based on the most up-to-date science, this means curbing carbs instead of counting calories, and getting a good night's sleep. It's a shame the government is requiring restaurants to bear the burden of a policy that is sure to fail.

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Mumbai’s Glow-In-The-Dark Waves May Be Fueled by Climate Change, Study Says, Washington Post, May 21

Scientists in India found that global warming may be fueling the growth of a bioluminescent marine plankton that is causing waves to appear neon blue but is harmful to fish populations in the northern Arabian Sea. Other scientists have linked the appearance of the neon-blue waves to the dumping of fertilizers and waste along India’s western coast, which caused the death of fish and other wildlife.

Costa Rica Coffee Farmers Brew up a Carbon Neutral Future, Reuters, May 21

Costa Rica is now home to three zero emission coffee companies plus some carbon neutral banana, pineapple, and cattle producers, putting the nation at the forefront of a movement that is slowly growing. Costa Rica was the first to adopt a Nationally Appropriated Mitigation Action plan to help coffee producers cut emissions. It now has a plan in place for cattle.

Solving Mexico City’s Cataclysmic Cycle of Drowning, Drying, and Sinking, Quartz, May 18

Mexico City was built on a lakebed drained by Spanish invaders. While the lake is now gone, the soft land and shallow aquifer underneath the city remain. Mexico City already pumps out groundwater over twice as fast as it can be replenished, and the population of the city continues to grow. All that pumping is literally sinking the city. The ground, now without structural integrity, sags into that void.

China’s Thirst for Milk Could Increase Global Livestock Emissions by a Third, Anthropocene, May 18

China’s milk consumption will increase threefold by 2050, a major shift that could increase global greenhouse gas emissions from cows by more than one-third. But this isn’t inevitable: if the country takes steps to improve its dairy sector, its environmental impacts could be significantly reigned in.

SEE REPORT: Global Environmental Costs of China’s Thirst for Milk, Global Change Biology, February 7

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In Conversation with #WomeninAg: Kelsey Ducheneaux, USDA, May 23

Ducheneaux is the youth programs coordinator and natural resource director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, a national organization working to improve Indian Country. As a young woman interested in agriculture, she finds it incredibly crucial that we find ways to challenge the status quo. It must be our job to seek more efficient, harmonious ways to work with the land and its resources.

Does the UN Mean Anything to the Young?, BBC, May 23

The United Nations wants to gain a much better idea of what young people are thinking—and to stop feeling “paternalistic" or out of touch. It's going to launch a global poll four times a year to take the temperature of the opinions of the young on issues such as education, family life, and the internet.

Video Campaign Aims to Unify Poland through the Power of Bread, NPR, May 21

A new Polish campaign called Nasz Chleb Powszedni, or "Our Daily Bread," aims to inspire tolerance and understanding in Poland by having people from five marginalized groups—refugees, gay, Jewish, Muslim, and black people—bake and sell bread to customers at the Putka Bakery in Warsaw. The campaign is headed by two women who explain that they were looking for something that would connect people instead of dividing them.

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Former World Food Programme Director Ertharin Cousin to join Heifer International Board, Heifer International, May 23

Heifer International’s Board of Directors has announced the election of Ambassador Ertharin Cousin to its membership. Cousin will serve a minimum three-year term for the nonprofit whose mission is to end hunger and poverty around the world while caring for the Earth.

The Long and Difficult Road to a US-UK Trade Deal, Wall Street Journal, May 19

The British government wants to leave the European Union’s customs union so it can pursue trade deals elsewhere in the world. Of those, the biggest prize is a US-UK trade deal, but no accord can be implemented until the United Kingdom unlatches itself from the EU’s customs union. To attract interest, the United States will likely target cuts in tariffs where they remain relatively high, including on cars and agriculture.

How Whole Foods Favorite Vital Farms Made Pasture-Raised Eggs Mainstream, Forbes, May 18

Matt O'Hayer says that within his company Vital Farms both the chickens and their farmers are treated differently. When O'Hayer started in 2007, he committed to producing pasture-raised eggs, even though he thought it would likely limit his company's growth. But his foresight has paid off.

Europe’s Insatiable Hunger for Avocados May Be Causing a Drought in Chile, Quartz, May 18

European imports of Chilean avocados rose 300 percent between 2012 and 2017. Out of total avocado exports from Chile in 2017, Europe imported about 60 percent of that total. But avocado trees are a thirsty crop, and the agribusiness there is exacerbating a regional drought by over-pumping the region’s groundwater and emptying its rivers, leaving next to nothing for the people to drink.

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World Farmers’ Organization 2018 General Assembly

Date: May 28-31

Location: Moscow, Russia

Geographical Indications for Food Symposium

Date: May 31

Location: Washington, DC

EAT Stockholm Food Forum 20118

Date: June 11-12

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

International Agricultural and Food Exhibition Farmer Expo

Date: August 17-20

Location: Debrecen, Hungary

The International Civil Society Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals

Date: September 11-13

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

2018 SCRA Nuts and Bolts Workshop

Date: October 3-5

Location: Riverdale, Maryland

International Phytobiomes Conference 2018

Date: December 4-6

Location: Montpellier, France

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