Global Agricultural Conference Hears Calls for Greater Research and Investment.pdfVIP

Global Agricultural Conference Hears Calls for Greater Research and Investment Broadcast date: 3-30-2010 / Written by Joe DeCapua From /voanews/english/ “Rural agri-business can drive economic growth. Rural agri-businesses can provide a career opportunity for youth. And rural agri-businesses can mean a pathway out of poverty. ” The first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development continues today in Montpellier, France. About one thousand participants are meeting to find ways of ensuring food security for a rapidly growing world population. The conference, also known as GCARD, follows the twin crises of soaring food prices in poor countries and the global recession. It aims to come up with concrete action plans to present to the G8 that would boost agricultural investment on many levels. Action, not words GCARD is first hearing from senior policymakers from governments, international aid agencies and others on the scale of agricultural investment needed. Among them is Kanayo Nwanze, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, or IFAD. “Let me say at the outset that I firmly believe that results and impact are what count. I have said it on previous occasions and I will say it again today. Declarations, commitments and speeches dont feed hungry people,” he says. He says the scale of the challenge is “significant.” The first Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development continues today in Montpellier, France. About one thousand participants are meeting to find ways of ensuring food security for a rapidly growing world population. The conference, also known as GCARD, follows the twin crises of soaring food prices in poor countries and the global recession. It aims to come