The Institute for Global Food Security at a glance
The food crisis of 2008 brought into sharp focus the stark realities confronting the global food production system. Rising energy prices, demand for biofuels, climate change, market speculation, changes in dietary patterns, and under-investment in the agricultural sector in many countries were some of the root causes of the 2008 crisis. Reduced agricultural research and development in the public sector, and a contraction in investments in rural infrastructure and development also did not help. Riots and political instability were manifested in several countries as a result of the food crisis. Some 100 million more people were plunged into food deprivation and poverty.
It is against this global backdrop that the Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security was launched in October 2010. Institute staff, affiliates, students and post-doctoral fellows focus their energies on finding sustainable solutions and help to advance annual agricultural productivity growth while conserving natural resources and minimizing environmental degradation. The time to strategically reinvest in agriculture, food and nutrition in an innovative way is now. Research-for- development, technology transfer, education, and dissemination of knowledge are so critical to alleviate the hunger and poverty being experienced by millions of people in the world.
