Taking a Stand for Agriculture: Defending Modern Practices a Key to Fighting World Hunger

“Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world,” said Norman Borlaug, father of the “Green Revolution.” Borlaug, who passed away late last year, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in fighting world hunger by developing high-yielding wheat crops and bringing agricultural improvements to developing countries.

Today, however, the very high yield technologies advocated by Borlaug are under attack in Europe – due in part to a lack of understanding of the safety and benefits these agronomic practices provide. This includes even mutagenesis, a naturally occurring process that, when harnessed, allows plant breeders to safely isolate genetic traits and pave the way for more profitable crop production and plentiful food.

In North America, the livestock industry is embattled. As noted by Dr. Dan Thomson with the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute, cattlemen need to be very smart, very diligent and very focused in order to take back the hearts and minds of the consumer when they are being vastly outspent by advocacy groups opposed to modern production practices.

Framing the debate

Communications are key, of course, but the food industry cannot ignore the simple power of being sensitive to how everyday production practices are perceived – how and when we treat and handle livestock, for example. By taking steps to ensure that our most basic food production practices are defensible to the majority of consumers, we can more effectively frame the debate around the benefits we provide.

Empowering stakeholders

Among the programs available to help is the National Pork Board’s, “Operation Main Street.” This initiative provides training in presentation skills and connects pork producers and industry supporters with community leaders and consumers across the country. It is an outstanding example of empowering stakeholders to speak out on the issues facing global food production and putting a positive face on modern agriculture.

Norman Borlaug’s research sparked the Green Revolution. Our advocacy can help to keep it alive. What do you think about public issues facing the food industry today? Join the conversation.