Feeding the Hungry: The role of research in feeding the world’s poor

When: Tuesday, March 13, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: IDRC, 150 Kent Street (Corner of Albert), 8th floor

Around the world, a lack of food security affects an estimated one billion people. To meet global needs, food production must double by 2050. Yet while demand for food grows, so too do the mounting problems of environmental degradation, decreasing water resources, and loss of fertile soil. This is the task that the CGIAR, with support from IDRC and the Canadian International Development Agency, set for itself more than 40 years ago. Since then, CGIAR has delivered innovations and knowledge to millions, such as controlling the cassava mealy bug – which saved an estimated 20 million lives – as well as low-cost agroforestry practices in Africa, which have turned barren soil into productive land, increasing yields and incomes of small farmers. CGIAR centres and their national research partners were also behind some of the science that fostered the Green Revolution in India, Pakistan, and other countries in Asia, which were teetering on the brink of famine in the 1960s and 1970s.

Currently an independent international consultant, in 2005 Pérez del Castillo was appointed the Chairman of the WTO Panel established to examine the dispute over large civil aircrafts between the US and EC (Boeing-Airbus) and worked on an Independent External Evaluation of Governance of the Global Environmental Facility, among other posts. He was also the Special Advisor on International Trade Negotiations to the President of the Republic of Uruguay, served as the Chairman of the WTO General Council, as Vice-Minister and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, and Permanent Secretary of the Latin American Economic System. A member of the Board of the International Food and Agricultural Trade Policy Council, he is a small cattle farmer. Carlos Pérez del Castillo has received the highest decorations from the Governments of Brazil, Chile, France, and Venezuela.

The event is open to the media. Journalists and the public can also join in the conversation through Twitter (#IDRC) and Facebook.

For more information visit www.idrc.ca/events-Castillo.

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About IDRC
A key part of Canada’s aid program since 1970, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring choice and change to those who need it most.

Information:
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé / (+1 613) 696-2343 / [email protected] / @IDRC_CRDI