Archive

Pro-Science Agenda in Africa

The Heads of State and Government of the African Union nations have adopted the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated African Agricultural Growth and Transformation.  As part of this, Africans will have to use the best science and technologies for agriculture. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union, summarized the key […]

Canadian Crops Forecast to Drop in Production

On Thursday, Statistics Canada released its latest Production of Principal Field Crops report. In it, it predicts that almost ever crop is set to decrease in production from last year. Given that last year’s record setting crop, a decrease will return production to normal levels. Wheat production is projected to drop 26.2% to 27.7 million […]

Private Sector Mechanism Statement: Farmers’ role in Responsible Agricultural Investment

I was in attendance during the final negotiations on Responsible Agriculture Investment, and I echo the IAFN’s statement regarding the results: In Rome, private sector representatives have expressed extreme dismay with the lack of recognition of the role of farmers in new Principles on Responsible Agricultural Investment. The Principles, to be endorsed by the UN […]

Circumcision and the Battle Against AIDS

Research conducted in part by Dr. Allan Ronald and the University of Manitoba, long ago showed reduced risk of AIDS transmission in circumcised men.  Despite subsequent recommendations by the World Health Organisation, countries have been slow to take up circumcision programming.  One of the arguments was that men might be less responsible in their sexual […]

Fulton New CFS Secretary

Deborah Helen Fulton will be the new Secretary of the United Nations Committee on Food Security as of October. An Australian national, she was selected by a panel representing the Rome Based Agencies. As the secretariat for the private sector mechanism of the CFS, we look forward to working with her in the coming years.

Ontario Agri-Food Technologies Hires New President

I am heading to the BioEnterprise annual meeting, where I sit on the Board of Directors.  It is great to see that one of the fellow members of the Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre has appointed its new President.  The ATCC is a single point of contact for entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies (early-stage to multi-nationals) who are growing businesses […]

World Population Day

Today is World Population Day 2014 and the theme is “Investing in Young People.” There are 1.8 billion people aged 10-24 in the world, making one quarter of the world’s population. This group comprises adolescents (aged 10-19) and youth (aged 15-24). The proportion of the global population that is between the ages of 10 and […]

Local Trumps it All

“Local trumps organic; organic trumps natural; natural trumps ordinary.” It is a simple rule of thumb but speaks to the premiums grocery retailers can get for food products. During the Canadian Special Crops Association meeting, John Scott of the retail grocery sector talked about trends in consumer responses. This has been fuelled by the customers’ […]

Two-year Anniversary of the Zero Hunger Challenge!

I’m proud to be a part of the Zero Hunger Challenge, and I am excited that the initiative just celebrated its second anniversary. Thanks to everyone involved, and let’s keep working towards ending hunger in our lifetimes! Please share on social media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=322736777875953 https://twitter.com/ZeroHunger/status/483964807880900608

International Conference on Nutrition

The Emerging team was proud to help co-ordinate the engagement of the private sector mechanism at a meeting in Rome on the International Conference on Nutrition.  Please visit www.agrifood.net for more information on our engagement and see Ann Stennsland’s excellent update.