Agriculture Secretary speaks at World Food Day teleconference
Agriculture productivity must be increased worldwide to solve the problem of global hunger, says Ann Veneman, U.S. secretary of agriculture. Veneman says World Food Day, October 16, provides an opportunity for the United States to examine its achievements in helping alleviate world hunger and to consider the challenges that remain.
She said the Bush administration strongly supports the science and technology action plan adopted by the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized countries in 2003.
A recently published study estimating the value of the CGIAR's activities since its inception reports a benefit-cost ratio of 9.0 for the $7.12 billion (1990 US dollars) invested. This ratio rises to 17.3 when extrapolated through 2011 under the assumption that research benefits will continue to be realised at present rates. Thus, for every dollar invested in the CGIAR, $9 worth of additional food has been produced in the developing world, catalysing substantial additional "multiplier effects" for poor producers and consumers in the process. (complete text)
Agricultural Research Service Leader in Field, article states
Since before Mary Shelley published "Frankenstein" in 1818, people have oscillated between concern that what scientists create in the lab will be dangerous and hope that research progress will improve their lives.
But few scientific advances have created a wider spectrum of public debate than genetic engineering of living organisms. Many people see the importance of the technology and believe it is essential for developing new and improved agricultural products.
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