Exhibition
Relevant
Februarie 2014
12
ARC exhibits at the
World Food Prize in Iowa
DR VICKI TOLMAY, ARC-SMALL GRAINS INSTITUTE
The South African Agricultural Research Council (ARC) hosted an
exhibition and side-event at The Borlaug Dialogue in Iowa during October
2013 as part of the World Food Prize celebrations.
The World Food Prize is an international award that recognises the
achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by
improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. The
prize honours the legacy of Dr Norman Borlaug, who founded the World
Food Prize together with John Ruan (Sr.). Laureates are officially awarded
their prize in Des Moines, Iowa, in a televised award ceremony held in the
House Chamber of the Iowa State Capitol.
Associated with the prize, is an almost week long dialogue on
food security and ending hunger, an event known as The Borlaug
Dialogue. This year the Dialogue attracted a record crowd of more than
1 500 people.
At this event a series of lectures are given, panel discussions held and
scientific information shared on solutions to the global hunger challenge.
Referred to as the “premier conference in the world on global agriculture”,
plans on how to meet the food needs of the world, estimated to reach
9 billion by 2050, were discussed.
A smallholder farmer from South Africa, Ms Eve Ntseoane, took part in
the panel discussion entitled “Engaging future leaders to end hunger”,
together with Julie Borlaug (assistant director, Borlaug Institute for
International Agriculture at Texas A&M), Mpule Kwelagoba (CEO of New
York based Mpule Institute for Endogenous Development) and moderator
Ellen Kullman (CEO of DuPont).
Other speakers during the four day event included the honourable
Tony Blair (former prime minister of Great Britain), philanthropist
Howard G Buffett, Dr Florence Chenoweth (Minister of Agriculture,
Liberia), Anne Glover (chief scientific advisor to the president of the
European Union), Maurcio Lopes (president of the Brazilian Agricultural
Research Organisation, EMBRAPA) and Juergen Voegele (director Agri-
cultural and Environmental Services of the World Bank).
During the side-event, a brief overview on the ARC was presented by
Mr Sipho Mokgoatlheng. Dr Lucky Nedambale spoke on “Agricultural food
security and climate change – transitions in African agriculture, livestock
production and health” and Dr Vicki Tolmay spoke on “Food security – the
challenge for African agriculture: ‘Climate-smart’ field crops”.
The ARC representatives were also invited to attend the award ceremony
where three researchers, namely Dr Marc van Montagu of Belgium,
Dr Mary-Dell Chilton of Syngenta and Dr Robert T. Fraley of Monsanto,
who all played prominent roles in developing genetically modified crops,
were awarded the World Food Prize during a music- and history-filled
ceremony in the magnificent Iowa State Capitol Building.
These three scientists were recognised for their independent, individual
breakthrough achievements in founding, developing and applying
modern agricultural biotechnology.
Dr Mary-Dell Chilton
(USA)
Dr Robert T. Fraley
(USA)
Dr Marc van Montagu
(Belgium)
Dr Lucky Nedambale (Animal Production and Health), Ms Vangile Titi-Msumza (Minister,
Agriculture, Embassy of the Republic of South Africa: Washington USA), Dr Vicki Tolmay
(Field Crops) and Mr Sipho Mokgoatlheng (Marketing and Communications).
The Iowa State Capital Building where the World
Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony was held.
