In the last decade, global wheat production has not kept pace with rising population, or the increasing per capita demand for wheat products in newly industrializing countries. At the same time, international support for wheat research has declined significantly. And as a consequence, in 2007-08, world wheat stocks (as a percentage of demand) dropped to their lowest level since 1947-48. And prices have steadily climbed to the highest level in 25 years.

…

The State Department is recommending ending American support for the international agricultural research centers that helped start the Green Revolution, including all money for wheat research. And significant financial cuts have been proposed for important research centers, including the Department of Agriculture’s essential rust research laboratory in St. Paul.

This shocking short-sightedness goes against the interests not only of American wheat farmers and consumers but of all humanity. It is tantamount to the United States abandoning its pledge to help halve world hunger by 2015.

The full article is available at the following link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/26/opinion/26borlaug.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Signs of the times

Each day, the headlines indicate more and more the disparity between needs for food and water and availability of these and other resources. My essay, “Choking On Numbers” (previously posted on Authorsden) becomes increasingly relevant. We will reduce global population or face starving masses. It’s happening now. Here’s a link to Choking On Numbers :  

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=35927

© 2008 R. Leland Wald.rip