Wed, 06/15/2011

As global food needs rise and populations grow, US investment been more greatly focused in agricultural programs in recent years, but there's still room to grow.

The 2011 Progress Report on U.S. Leadership in Global Agricultural Development, put together by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, recommends that the U.S. improve its leadership role in the administration of agricultural development assistance, concluding that they are now in the position to lead efforts.

The report acknowledges that the U.S. has increased its spending and overall concern of agricultural development in recent years, and is encouraged by new partnerships, research, technologies and systems to support farmers in order to bring advances in agriculture to developing countries.  However, it is quick to note that if the U.S. does not continue to be invested in these efforts, there could be foreseeable problems with food insecurity and the uncertain global financial climate, aggravated by rapidly growing global populations.