At the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems conference on October 7, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns emphasized the need to accelerate the adoption of existing agricultural technologies to address global hunger and poverty. Speaking at Kansas State University, Johanns highlighted that technology exists today that could help feed the projected global population of 10 billion by 2050, but government regulations often delay the implementation of such innovations. He criticized lengthy approval processes, citing examples like China, where delays in biotechnology adoption have cost U.S. agriculture billions.
Johanns echoed sentiments once voiced by agronomist Norman Borlaug, stating that the world has the capability to feed its population, but current policies hinder progress, particularly for impoverished regions. He argued that freeing up agricultural technology could transform the ability of farmers and ranchers to produce food sustainably and efficiently.
Other speakers at the conference included Craig Gundersen, from Baylor University’s Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, who defended the meat industry’s role in alleviating food insecurity, and Peer Ederer, founder of GOALSciences, who presented evidence on the importance of livestock and meat production for nutrition, ecology and economics. Ederer also addressed the complex relationship between methane emissions and climate change, cautioning against placing blame solely on livestock agriculture.
The conference aimed to explore scientific and policy solutions to global food challenges, continuing the mission of the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture series, which was established to educate the public and facilitate dialogue on food system issues.
