Agriculture "a game-changer" in global issues
When thinkers from all over the world gathered last week for the 40th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland to mull over the global state of the economy, the role of agriculture was not an afterthought.
During a compelling panel discussion Rethinking How to Feed the World, DuPont's Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman put agriculture in the center of the global economic discussion in stating that:
Agriculture is a game-changer that can mitigate multiple global issues - hunger, poverty, environmental degradation, poor nutrition and subsequent effects such as civil unrest.
Ellen is absolutely on mark in her assessment of the role agriculture plays not only in global economics, but in a humanitarian aspect. The World Economic Forum also understands our importance, and made agriculture a priority subject in 2008 when it formed the Global Agenda Council on Food Security. The goal of this initiative is to engage "global leaders in business, government, international organizations, civil society and academia" to:
• Define and leverage support for priority actions to improve global food security
• Serve as a "network of networks" of major global institutions and initiatives on hunger to expand partnerships and deepen synergies
Towards those ends, Ellen helped frame the discussion at this year's forum in saying:
Delivering on the potential for agriculture to address critical, global issues may be the greatest opportunity of our generation. It is possible, but it will take a radical new approach to collaboration.
Moreover, panelists were asked to consider what it would take to achieve food security, environmental sustainability and economic growth through agriculture, to which Kullman responded:
Global food security challenges are becoming more complex and interconnected. Collaborations among organizations will need to follow suit - becoming more interconnected to leverage the strengths of organizations across the public and private sectors.
Indeed, that is our goal; that is our mission. Thanks Ellen for your participation in the Davos discussion, and continuing to sound the drum of collaboration.