#BorlaugBlog
For 30 years, the World Food Prize has worked to build on the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the man who saved a billion lives, by recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. Our Laureates, our close partners, and our staff work tirelessly to alleviate hunger through innovative approaches, and we hope to share their expertise, research, and personal stories on The Borlaug Blog.
In the Borlaug Blog, we will occasionally post a blog featuring stories, research, and expert opinion from our Laureates, partners, youth representatives and staff. It is our hope that this blog series will create a conversation between farmers, NGOs, CEOs and people across the globe.
How to guide food systems to achieve nutrition objectives
By Dr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen posted on
11/13/2017
at 12:57 PM
Dr. Per Pinstrup-Andersen
Much is known about how to change food systems for the benefit of human nutrition. Many pathways through which improved nutrition could flow from agriculture and other parts of food systems to peoples’ diets have been suggested and a large number of recommendations for action by policy-makers, households...
Norman E. Borlaug: The Man I Worked With and Knew
By Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram posted on
11/06/2017
at 10:26 AM
Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram
Much has been written about Norman Borlaug, the agricultural scientist and humanitarian whose achievements are widely recognized; to add to those writings is a difficult task. This blog is an attempt to provide a personal perspective on Norman Borlaug that can come only from someone who has worked...
Bringing youth into the conversation on agriculture is not just about jobs
By Mercy Lung'aho posted on
11/02/2017
at 8:44 AM
“Take it to the farmer.”
Norman Borlaug
When Norman Borlaug gave us - the global community - this call to action, he was telling us to make our scientific advances useful and used by farmers. Too many times, our science fails to reach those who need it. In today’s world, even putting...
Food Science and Technology: A Weapon for the Fight Against Hunger, Malnutrition and Poverty
By Dr. Philip Nelson posted on
10/30/2017
at 9:20 AM
Dr. Philip Nelson
According to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one in every eight people in the world suffered from chronic undernourishment in 2014-2016, with the majority residing in developing countries. This statistics come on the heels of a previous FAO report (2011), which revealed that more than...
Africa can end malnutrition but lessons must be learnt from front-runners
By Badiane and Joachim von Braun posted on
10/26/2017
at 8:44 AM
Last week Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank, was named as the 2017 World Food Prize Laureate. This globally recognized prize for food and agriculture has been awarded to him for transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
Adesina holds the firm belief that within ten years, with renewed political...
Can Livestock Production Meet the Growing Demand for Meat in Developing Countries?
By Louise Fresco posted on
10/23/2017
at 1:38 PM
Dr. Louise Fresco
The short answer is yes. Livestock production cannot only meet the growing demand for animal proteins, but we absolutely need livestock to use the planet in a sustainable and healthy way.
Here is why: food production in the 21st century needs to be better matched to food consumption so...
Borlaug's Passion for Agriculture and Why it's Needed Right Now
By Nick Austin posted on
10/19/2017
at 10:30 AM
For those of us who are immersed in agricultural research
and development, so much of what we do is often buried in the technical language of science, engineering and economics. But it’s a deep,emotional commitment to our work, and the potential impact it will have on people’s lives that drives us.
This...
The Importance of Biodiversity to Food and Agricultural Systems across the Globe
By Gurdev S. Khush posted on
10/16/2017
at 3:11 PM
“Access to food is the birth right of every individual on this planet.”
Norman Borlaug
Dr. Gurdev S. Khush
The food we humans eat every day throughout our lives comes from agricultural biodiversity. Biodiversity is the basis of agriculture and our food systems. It has enabled farming systems to evolve since the origin...
Is the Sustainable Development Goal to End Hunger Achievable?
By Robert Hunter posted on
10/09/2017
at 2:14 PM
Ending hunger by 2030 is no small task. Ensuring everyone on our planet is well-fed and nourished is not only going to take greater quantities of food, but better quality food. Taking into account the rising temperatures, scarcity of water and perpetual conflict that persists in many parts of the...
Urged to Action
By Sam Harris posted on
10/02/2017
at 9:56 AM
Sam Harris
“It would probably be easier if I could just end my life...I can’t pay these debts,” Depak uttered during my first focus-group interview as a 2014 Borlaug-Ruan International Intern. I found myself 8,000 miles outside of my comfort zone when I stepped from the plane in rural India only...