Book has road map to fight hunger
TEXT OF STORY
Steve Chiotakis: Policy makers next week will descend on Rome for the World Summit on Food Security.
Marketplace’s Jeff Tyler reports on a new book that features solutions — some obvious, some overlooked — in fighting hunger.
Jeff Tyler: The book’s called “Millions Fed: Proven Successes in Agricultural Development.” It’s about practices that work on a large scale to boost productivity on the farm.
Co-editor David Spielman says one way to improve crop yields is to invest in high-tech seeds that resist drought and disease.
David Spielman: Greater production can also result in lower food prices. And that can have a very significant impact on poverty.
Old-fashioned infrastructure projects can also help. During the 1980s and 90s, building roads and irrigation systems were low on the priority list for poor countries and international donors. Spielman says that’s changing.
Spielman: After about two decades of neglect, decision-makers are recognizing the central importance of agriculture for development.
Spielman hopes the book will serve as a road map. Now all decision makers need to do is come up with the money to follow it.
I’m Jeff Tyler for Marketplace.
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