Press Release Archive
GATES FOUNDATION GIVES HALF-MILLION DOLLAR GRANT TO WORLD AGRICULTURAL FORUM
Enables WAF to Gather Global Experts on Food Production in Poorest Countries
SEATTLE (December 13, 2006) — As part of its new global agricultural development initiative, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards a grant of $500,000 to the World Agricultural Forum (WAF) to bring together those who can revolutionize agriculture. The grant will help develop solutions that meet the growing needs for food, fuel and fiber in an effort to alleviate hunger and poverty experienced by citizens in nearly 50 countries around the globe.
"We see value in building our relationship with the World Agricultural Forum," said Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Quote, "and this grant is the first step in seeking the solutions to poverty and hunger. Most of the world’s poorest people depend on agriculture for survival. Partnering with the World Agricultural Forum supports our efforts and spreads this message to decision makers across the globe."
With the Gates Foundation grant, the WAF brings together global leaders in rural development, technology transfer, agricultural production and food transportation for a series of panel discussions at the WAF 2007 World Congress, scheduled for May 8-10, 2007 in St. Louis. In addition, the WAF also plans to host a 2008 regional agricultural leaders meeting in Africa to follow-up and expand on the solutions discussed at the 2007 World Congress.
"This generous grant represents a unique opportunity in the history of philanthropy by allowing on-the-ground action to take place that is coordinated among every major group, including governments, academia and non-governmental organizations, dedicated to successfully addressing the intertwined issues of hunger and poverty," said the Right Honorable James Bolger, ONZ, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Ambassador to the United States, and current chairman of the World Agricultural Forum advisory board. "This is a tremendous award from the Gates Foundation, and we look forward to this grant serving as the first step in a long-term collaboration."
The agricultural development initiative of Gates Foundation supports efforts that may help smallholder farm communities improve their economic well-being and produce improved yields with the potential to bring about a lasting reduction. To date, almost no country has managed a rapid rise from poverty without increasing agricultural productivity. Yet in parts of the developing world, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural productivity is actually declining. Working with partners, our Agricultural Development initiative supports efforts that may help smallholder farm communities improve their economic well-being and produce improved yields with the potential to bring about a lasting reduction in hunger and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.
The foundation's Agricultural Development initiative aims to help smallholder farmers in developing countries improve their productivity and gain access to markets. We focus our funding in four areas:
World Agricultural Forum President Ray Cesca said, "This collaboration between the Gates Foundation and the WAF will focus attention on desperate areas of the world where change is possible and where people can be helped. This grant will have a positive impact on the people who most need our help, and we thank the Gates Foundation for their support and attention."
About the Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world. In developing countries, it focuses on improving health, reducing extreme poverty, and increasing access to technology in public libraries. In the United States, the foundation seeks to ensure that all people have access to a great education and to technology in public libraries. In its local region, it focuses on improving the lives of low-income families. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and Co-chairs William H. Gates Sr., Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates.
About the World Agricultural Forum (WAF)
The World Agricultural Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a neutral, inclusive forum for the ongoing discussion and debate of critical global agricultural issues and policies, leading to documented solutions and better-informed decision making by global leaders in all disciplines: from academia and business to government and advocacy. The WAF operates in three strategic areas of focus: Congress meetings, education and communication. Founded in 1997, the WAF is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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GATES FOUNDATION GIVES HALF-MILLION DOLLAR GRANT TO WORLD AGRICULTURAL FORUM
Enables WAF to Gather Global Experts on Food Production in Poorest Countries
SEATTLE (December 13, 2006) — As part of its new global agricultural development initiative, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards a grant of $500,000 to the World Agricultural Forum (WAF) to bring together those who can revolutionize agriculture. The grant will help develop solutions that meet the growing needs for food, fuel and fiber in an effort to alleviate hunger and poverty experienced by citizens in nearly 50 countries around the globe.
"We see value in building our relationship with the World Agricultural Forum," said Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Quote, "and this grant is the first step in seeking the solutions to poverty and hunger. Most of the world’s poorest people depend on agriculture for survival. Partnering with the World Agricultural Forum supports our efforts and spreads this message to decision makers across the globe."
With the Gates Foundation grant, the WAF brings together global leaders in rural development, technology transfer, agricultural production and food transportation for a series of panel discussions at the WAF 2007 World Congress, scheduled for May 8-10, 2007 in St. Louis. In addition, the WAF also plans to host a 2008 regional agricultural leaders meeting in Africa to follow-up and expand on the solutions discussed at the 2007 World Congress.
"This generous grant represents a unique opportunity in the history of philanthropy by allowing on-the-ground action to take place that is coordinated among every major group, including governments, academia and non-governmental organizations, dedicated to successfully addressing the intertwined issues of hunger and poverty," said the Right Honorable James Bolger, ONZ, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Ambassador to the United States, and current chairman of the World Agricultural Forum advisory board. "This is a tremendous award from the Gates Foundation, and we look forward to this grant serving as the first step in a long-term collaboration."
The agricultural development initiative of Gates Foundation supports efforts that may help smallholder farm communities improve their economic well-being and produce improved yields with the potential to bring about a lasting reduction. To date, almost no country has managed a rapid rise from poverty without increasing agricultural productivity. Yet in parts of the developing world, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural productivity is actually declining. Working with partners, our Agricultural Development initiative supports efforts that may help smallholder farm communities improve their economic well-being and produce improved yields with the potential to bring about a lasting reduction in hunger and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.
The foundation's Agricultural Development initiative aims to help smallholder farmers in developing countries improve their productivity and gain access to markets. We focus our funding in four areas:
- Develop and apply new technologies
- Increase availability and adoption of inputs suited to local conditions
- Link small farmers to markets
- Advocate for improved resources and policies for agriculture
World Agricultural Forum President Ray Cesca said, "This collaboration between the Gates Foundation and the WAF will focus attention on desperate areas of the world where change is possible and where people can be helped. This grant will have a positive impact on the people who most need our help, and we thank the Gates Foundation for their support and attention."
About the Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world. In developing countries, it focuses on improving health, reducing extreme poverty, and increasing access to technology in public libraries. In the United States, the foundation seeks to ensure that all people have access to a great education and to technology in public libraries. In its local region, it focuses on improving the lives of low-income families. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and Co-chairs William H. Gates Sr., Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates.
About the World Agricultural Forum (WAF)
The World Agricultural Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a neutral, inclusive forum for the ongoing discussion and debate of critical global agricultural issues and policies, leading to documented solutions and better-informed decision making by global leaders in all disciplines: from academia and business to government and advocacy. The WAF operates in three strategic areas of focus: Congress meetings, education and communication. Founded in 1997, the WAF is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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Participant Shares Views on Food and Agriculture
Professor Marcos Fava Neves, a panelist at the 2010 World Agricultural Forum - Latin America and professor at The University of Sao Paulo, Brazil has recently published two articles discussing agribusiness strategies and the food inflation problem. Please read on. Defining an Agribusiness Strategic Agenda for 2010-2020 (pdf) Strategies for Solving the Food Inflation Problem (pdf)
Professor Marcos Fava Neves, a panelist at the 2010 World Agricultural Forum - Latin America and professor at The University of Sao Paulo, Brazil has recently published two articles discussing agribusiness strategies and the food inflation problem. Please read on. Defining an Agribusiness Strategic Agenda for 2010-2020 (pdf) Strategies for Solving the Food Inflation Problem (pdf)
