Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security, and
Knowledge for Rural
Development: Plenary session 6
| Session summary |
| Prof. Lawrence S. Bacow pointed out that
judicious and timely intervention of alternative technologies can bridge the gap between
the demand and production in face of increasing population. Free trade will abolish the
non-sustainable agricultural practices by relocating food production in those areas where
good irrigation facilities exist. Mr. Horacio E Navarrete elaborated Monsanto’s
association with small holder farmers in developing countries towards sustainable
development. Dr. Florence Wambugu said that the main challenge faced by most states in
Africa is food productivity not keeping pace with population growth. She averred that this
can be tackled by integrating conventional agriculture with new advances in plant
biotechnology. Dr. Vibha Dhawan: highlighted various biotechnological initiatives taken by
TERI including use of renewable energy through biogas, solid waste management, containment
of oil spills by using oil zapper containing microbial consortium, employment of
mycorrhizae biofertilizer in combination with fly ash helps in improving plant growth. |
| Chairperson |
Prof.
Larry Bacow
Chancellor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA"Movement of people from rural to urban areas
has important consequences for food security."
"We are saturating our soils
with fertilizers and this has led to species destruction inmany areas." |
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| Panellists |
Mr
Horacio E Navarrete
Small Holder Agriculture Team Leader, Global Product
Manager, Monsanto, USA
"Micro-credit and Micro-enterprise
are going to be important methods of rural development""It is important for all corporations to follow capitalism
with a human face" |
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Dr
Vibha Dhawan
Dean, Bioresources and Biotechnology Division,
TERI |
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Dr
Florence Wambugu
Director, ISAAA AfriCenter, Kenya "Population is increasing in Africa at 3.5% while food production is
growing up only by 2.5%"
"Scientists should
disseminate technology to farmers by participating in their agricultural practices" |
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