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Thought for Food — Research is Key in Tackling the Global Food Crisis
Food Security
For nearly 40 years, IDRC has supported researchers from the developing world in their search to grow food and feed their cities and rural communities. Learn how IDRC is turning research into action. |
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Rising food prices around the globe have pushed an estimated 100 million more people into poverty.
IDRC Photo: Stephanie Colvey |
2008-05
audio clips Governments must invest in agricultural research to halt and reverse the current global food crisis. That was the clear message delivered to Canadian media by two IDRC partners and agriculture experts at a briefing hosted by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) on May 13, 2008. Emile Frison, director general of Bioversity International, said every dollar invested in agricultural research has produced $9 worth of additional food in the developing world, which is “one of the highest rates of return on investment in research in general.” But governments started to cut agricultural research investment in the early 1990s, said Robert Zeigler, director general of the International Rice Research Institute. Now rising food prices around the globe have pushed an estimated 100 million more people into poverty. “Had there been steady investments in agriculture…I don’t think we would be in this situation,” said Zeigler. Bioversity International and the International Rice Research Institute are two of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the largest international alliance of agricultural research centres and a long-time research partner of IDRC. IDRC has been a significant contributor in CGIAR's development, building on a rich history of joint endeavours in collaborative research. A key research partner for the Centres supported by the CGIAR, IDRC was instrumental in the establishment of several agricultural research centres including the World Agroforestry Centre and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). Listen to Frison and Zeigler discuss the causes of the food crisis and the future of global food security: Robert Zeigler
Robert Zeigler, Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) discusses short-term and long-term strategies necessary to confront the world food crisis. (5:30)
Émile Frison
Émile Frison, Director General, Bioversity International, discusses agricultural investments and the need for greater agricultural research in developing countries. (5:17) Investing for the future
Frison and Zeigler respond to a reporter's question about the long-term political impact of the world food crisis, and the long-term repercussions of agricultural investments, or lack thereof. (5:00) Erosion of investment
Frison and Zeigler discuss historic origins of the world food crisis. (4:12)
Agriculture and the environment: a difficult balancing act
Frison and Zeigler discuss synergies between sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation. (3:04)
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