Flavor Blast, Seed Security, and White House Threats
Check out our roundup of the week's top news and research in food, agriculture, and global development.
Top Story
A Regenerative Solution to Climate Change
As fires ravage Greek islands and violent monsoons batter regions of India, farmers and ranchers around the world are left in a lurch. They’re struggling to find solutions to the rapidly changing climate, and can only do so much to combat the record-high temperatures—this year saw the hottest June on record globally and the hottest day ever on July 6. However, there’s a potential solution: regenerative agriculture. Stay tuned for a new report on regenerative agriculture from the Center on Global Food and Agriculture in the upcoming weeks.
Council Insights
Regenerative Agriculture
"Can regenerative agriculture meet its goals? Maybe. However, there should first be a critical evaluation of how we define regenerative agriculture and who it benefits,” writes Paula Maia in a Global Food for Thought Blog. Read more.
Food and Agriculture
Food and Agriculture
Port Attack
Russian drones leveled ports and grain storage facilities on the Danube River. Russia is targeting alternative Ukranian export routes after halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative, including the Danube River where two million tons of grain have been exported during the war.
Feminization of Migration
Climate change is undermining traditional agriculture in Honduras, which is particularly difficult for the women and girls who depend on farming. This is causing the “feminization” of migration, as farming challenges are forcing more women and girls to migrate than their male counterparts.
Race to Africa
Preceding the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, Russia emphasized their ability to replace Ukraine as Africa’s grain supplier. However, African activists are pushing for climate-conscious solutions to reduce import dependency and increase inter-continental trade.
Deeper Dive
Russia Seeks an Ally in Africa
African countries make up the largest voting block at the UN and are divided in their support of Russia. Hoping for an alliance, Russia is hosting a two-day summit for African countries and is promising free grain to low-income African countries.
Resilience
Sweetening the Deal
NatureSweet, a leading tomato company, is setting new standards for agricultural labor in North America. The company is focusing on improving the working conditions and wages of its employees, which is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural industry.
DC Report
White House Threats
The White House has threatened to veto military construction and agriculture spending bills. The administration has raised concerns about the lack of funding for climate change and clean energy initiatives in the bills.
Big Actors
Seed Security
President of China Xi Jinping is focusing corruption efforts on illegal seed and grain trade and substandard seeds. A Chinese food security law will protect new food production technologies and criminalize actions that threaten food or national security.
Big Ideas
Flavor Blast
Lab-grown flavors could be the future of our food and drinks. Coming from excretions of genetically modified yeast, companies are making entirely new and unfamiliar tastes that consumers cannot get elsewhere.
Ask an Expert
What are you looking forward to as a nonresident fellow?
"I am excited to join the Chicago Council on Global Affairs as a nonresident fellow to connect with the amazing community of stakeholders the Council brings together. I am looking forward to opportunities to build bridges between cutting-edge research and international development practitioners.”
— Nonresident Fellow Marcia Croft
Have a question about food and agriculture? Ask one of our experts at the Center on Global Food and Agriculture to get an answer in next week's Global Food for Thought!
Council Events
Did you miss one of our previous livestreams? Don't worry! They are all available on our website to watch at any time.
Other Upcoming Events
Nutrition Sensitive Irrigation in Mali: A Guide to Progress in Water, Food, and Nutrition Security in Mali
Date: August 2
Time: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. ET
Empowering Eaters: Access, Affordability, and Healthy Choices
Date: August 2
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. CT
Free Webinar: Expanding Your Farm Business Through the Working Farms Fund
Date: August 9
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. CT
Community Work and Learn at Soul Fire Farm
Date: August 15
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
iSEE Critical Conversation 2023: Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices and Resilience in the Midwest
Date: September 18
Time: 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Land Acknowledgement Statement
The Center on Global Food and Agriculture recognizes it occupies the ancestral land of the Kiikaapoi, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Bodwéwadmi, and Myaamia people. Indigenous communities around the world disproportionately experience the pressures of climate change, global conflicts, and the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously stewarding 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity. These Indigenous tribes and nations are the original owners of this land and continue to be systemically erased by policies and practices that ignore their histories. To learn more about Indigenous foodways and practices, check out our 2022 blog series "Stewardship, Sovereignty, and Solutions."
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- Native Food Sovereignty: Strengthening Connection to Culture
- Reconnecting to Indigenous Food Sovereignty Values and Practices
- Embracing Interconnectedness: How Indigenous Foodways Can Save Us
