28 May 2010

World Food Prize Laureates Discuss Agriculture and Food Security

CO.NX video webchat transcript, May 25

Two distinguished World Food Prize laureates, Dr. Modadugu Gupta and Dr. Philip Nelson, answered questions in a May 25 CO.NX webchat on food preservation, food safety and nutritious foods. Dr. Gupta won the World Food Prize in 2005 for his aquaculture work in South and Southeast Asia and Dr. Nelson won the World Food Prize in 2007 for his innovation in aseptic (sanitary) food processing.

Following is the transcript:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript

CO.NX Webchat: “Food Security with World Food Prize Laureates”

Guest:            Dr. Philip Nelson and Dr. Modadugu Gupta
Date:              May 25, 2010
Time:              8 a.m. EDT (12:00 GMT)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Welcome to the CO.NX Food Security webchat room. Recordings from a couple of the addresses at the Symposium on Global Agricultural Development can be viewed here: https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/p82455216/

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): https://statedept.connectsolutions.com/p87225693/.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Our next Food Security Webchat will begin May 25 at 12:00GMT/ 08:00 EDT here. This webchat will feature Dr. Modadugu Gupta: and Dr. Philip Nelson in a live Q&A. Post your questions now!

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Dr. Gupta won the World Food Prize in 2005 for his Aquaculture work in South and Southeast Asia. Leader of the “Blue Revolution,” Dr. Gupta taught poor families to convert small bodies of water into “mini factories” producing fish or food. Teaching about the use of crop yields from abandon ponds, roadside ditches and other unused bodies of water, Dr. Gupta helped over 1 million poor families increase their protein and mineral diets. Dr. Philip Nelson won the World Food Prize in 2007 for his innovation in aseptic (sanitary) food processing. If you’ve ever had soup, milk, or juice from a box, then you’ve experienced the benefits of aseptic food processing technologies—technologies which also preserve crops, prevent spoilage, and increase the availability of safe and nutritious foods. Aseptic processing remains a key technology in food and nutrition programs in the developing world, and in relief efforts for disasters such as the 2004 tsunami.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): To submit questions before and during the webchat, please type in the white tab below and press the arrow button. Glad you could join!

JOSHUA: HI

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome to the webchat!

CO.NX Moderator (Mark): Welcome everyone in Abidjan.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn) 2: Welcome everyone! We will begin the webchat at the top of the hour. Feel free to post your questions now and tell us where you are logged in from.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn) 2: If you could not hear the audio test just now, please let me know.

Ble Emmanuel Aliefe: It's quite clear for me.

3moor: hi

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn) 2: We will be starting in just a moment.

ircabidjan 3: yes we can hear you in Abidjan.

ircabidjan 4: yes we can hear you.

ircabidjan 6: AAF-AKO. WE CAN HEAR U.

ircabidjan: yes we can here you in Abidjan.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you, everyone in Abidjan!

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Welcome everyone! We are beginning now.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Today’s webchat will host two distinguished World Food Prize Laureates: Dr. Philip Nelson and Dr. Modadugu Gupta. Dr. Nelson and Dr. Gupta will be joining us via webcam. After a brief introduction on each of the Laureates’ work, we will open up the floor to Dr. Nelson then Dr. Gupta to provide further background on their experiences. The second part of our webchat today will be a live Q&A discussion with both Laureates. Please post your questions now and during the presentations Thank you.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Modadugu Gupta won the World Food Prize in 2005 because he found a new answer to an age-old problem. He showed impoverished farmers in South and Southeast Asia how to yield crops from abandoned ponds, roadside ditches and other unused bodies of water. He showed them how to recycle what was thought to be waste from the farm — weeds, manure, and rice bran — and use it as feed to raise fish in those unused waters.

With these lessons from this Indian scientist, more than 1 million impoverished families have increased the protein and minerals in their diets, contributing to their greater health and live longevity.

Called a leader in the “blue revolution,” Dr. Gupta’s work began with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in the 1960’s and spread over the decades to Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries. Gupta’s work has focused not on yields alone, but also on sustainability. He coordinated the International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture, encouraging support for maintaining biodiversity and trained some 300 Asian scientists in developing sustainable production techniques. According to the World Food Prize citation, “Dr. Gupta has been a lifelong catalyst in expanding the global reach and effectiveness of aquaculture.” We are honored to have Dr. Gupta here with us today.

And here is 2007 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr. Philip Nelson’s bio: If you’ve ever had soup, milk, or juice from a box, then you know the work that won Dr. Philip Nelson the World Food Prize in 2007. Aseptic, or sanitary) food processing technologies allow consumers in developed nations to box foods. But these methods also preserve crops, prevent spoilage, and increase the availability of safe and nutrias foods.

Dr. Nelson developed “innovative breakthrough technologies, which have revolutionized the food industry in the area of large-scale storage and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Nelson’s techniques have benefitted developing world countries where crop spoilage consumed as much as 50 percent of yields in some places during the 1970’s. Aseptic processing has also been a key technology in the expansion of feeding and nutrition programs in the developing world and in providing stores of products available for transport to regions stricken with disaster, such as the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean.  Please welcome Dr. Nelson, Scholle Chair Professor of Food Processing in the Department of Food Sciences at Perdue University.

And now, I would like to turn the floor over to Dr. Nelson with a quick reminder to lock the talk button for audio and unlock it immediately after -- unlock it immediately after you’re done.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Good morning. I come here a little different from many of the prize winners in that my activities take place after harvest, and as we know, and we're seeing in 2015 we need to double our...(inaudible)...what I'm focusing on is trying to reduce food loss. I realize that aqua culture is a food chain from production and eventual consumption and we learn that a bunch -- and so I have been able to bring to the focus (inaudible) in many of our countries, in other parts of the world, anywhere from 20, 40, even 50% is produced bacteria, and so if we're to meet our food requirements by 2050, certainly we’re going to have to increase production in CULTIVATION practices. Now, it is also of importance that over a billion people in the world make less than a dollar a day. And 75% of those people are agricultural based. If we could develop a system where the food that they do produce in excess could be made into products that could be sold in the local markets, or even in the international markets, in some cases, then there might be an opportunity of getting money back in the hands of the individuals. So I am sort of on a soap box wanting to bring focus to this part of agriculture, and say that in meeting our food needs in 2050, one aspect would be to reduce food losses. So you will be hearing me talk much about that throughout the morning. Thank you.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): And thank you to Dr. Nelson. And now, Dr. Gupta would you like to comment on your experiences too, please.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Well, good morning. I've been working on especially in aquaculture. When we look at the situation and more than two billion people suffer from deficiencies and especially regions, people depend on fish which is the cheapest for them. But also more than two billion people get at least 20 percent of from fish…

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): One second. Make sure that your talk button is on.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Thank you. So we're looking at how to increase the fish production. And also more people are moving from red meat to fish. So we're looking at increasing fish production in the rural areas and we have raising the crops and the livestock and that's provided more income to the people, more.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): I think your MIC went off, sorry.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Unless people have the capacity to buy it so we’re looking also at increasing the livelihood and earnings of the people. So I'll be glad to answer any questions. Thank you.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn):  I thank you both and now we'll open up the floor to questions that have come in from our audience and we see we have a lot of questions coming in from Nigeria, so thank you IRC for joining us. Just one moment, please. Our first question this question came in French but we’re going to translate it in English, and ask -- and answer in English, and in the hopes that this will help other audience members as well. He asks: what are your objectives for the future? And I would like to open this up to nelson first and then Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Yes, thank you. It is a good question. Obviously, action has to be taken immediately in order to help alleviate this world lack of food security. My particular interest is establishing a focus on reducing food losses and that would be by developing an international center. One that can bring all of the activities together that are currently going on and increase additional focus on this part of the food chain. So, you're going to be hearing about an international center, technology and also to explore increasing local markets.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta:  We look into how to help rural food in most of the developing countries and increase the fish production.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Your microphone is off.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: I have been working with a number of countries, involvement with a number of countries. Can you hear me?

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn):  We can hear you now. Thank you, and just remember to lock your microphone in place when you're speaking, this is for both presenters and unlock it when you're done speaking. Thank you very much. And we can hear you when it is locked in place.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Okay, I'll repeat what I said before. I have been working with a number of government operations and non-government organizations, international organizations, and looking at how to help the rural food in developing countries to increase fish production.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Okay thank you both. The next question: hello, I would like to know your different processes that achieve your aim. And first I would like to open the floor to Dr. Nelson, and then to Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  I'm not sure if you're asking me about the process of preserving foods. It will vary upon the type of product and where it is located. It could be simply storage as much as grain certainly in Africa is stored on the farm, and we see good examples that are underway it is just not extensive enough. In some cases it is simple as putting counties in a bag that's oxygen proof to kill insects and in others, it is building granaries that are off the ground so that vermin and insects can't cause losses to the food product. If it is a country like Afghanistan, where we’re trying to preserve fruits and vegetables, it may be simply a structure that gives them cooling to the vegetables or fruit. So it will vary, and in some cases like India where we can put mango,

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Please wait as we get Dr. Nelson back on the line.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  All right, aim back on the line now? I hope so, and I'm really anxious to use different preservation methods depending upon the needs of the people in the area and the product that's being used. We're now establishing a center, there will be a director in place, in August, and so we're excited about bringing to focus this part of the agricultural chain.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): and when you get a moment you can just press the camera button in the lower left corner of the camera and voice pod we can hear you clearly though. And now I would like to open the floor to Dr. Gupta to respond. And again, the question was, about the different processes to achieve your aim.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Well, a number of countries both in Asia and other countries. Looking at market demand. And look at the social, economical and cultural background of the people, and the target group with whom we have known. By doing this we have been interacting with the government, and farming communities and fishing communities and I undertake research and develop technology that they sort for that particular social, economical aspect.  We interact with a number of people and senior government to bring in necessary changes to increase production.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you. And our next question comes asks what do you expect for food security in 2010 in Africa? This first question or this question can first go to Dr. Nelson and then Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta:  The question is how quickly we can move there is a lot of activity now going on in Africa. Foundations such as the gates foundation, international centers, activities and various countries, it is just how fast we can move. And a lot of that will depend upon the government’s receiving this kind of support and moving as quickly as possible.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you, Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: But what needs is the commitment of the nations in Africa because … (inaudible) …

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Okay, thank you both. And our next question comes from in and is, there a new farming technique called agribusiness which is promoted by a local NGO here. Do you know about it? It seems to be an efficient method. Couldn't the FAO promote it in Africa continent-wide?  And the follow-up part of question is, is it possible to extend this innovation to all of the countries around the world, and particularly to Africa? Dr. Nelson, the floor is yours.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Well, unfortunately I'm not a production specialist. So it would be difficult for me to speak to the specifics. But we've pretty well -- well learned that it is very difficult to use the same technique or practices that are different. And so in many cases we have to adapt to what is being done locally. And make it more efficient; of course, we certainly should be done. And FAO and other organizations are the ones to carry that forward. But I caution to say there is not one activity that’s going to meet the needs of all areas of the world. Thank you. And Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Well, agribusiness is it is important to countries and Africa. BUT we're not looking at only increasing production of crops and fish but also in the marketing because, for example, in India, one stop center, where the farmers can access the latest technology, and the market rates so people -- so it has been successful in a number of countries in Asia and I’m sure the African countries with follow it and very much other organizations, and they are supporting this.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Okay, thank you both. And our next question asks what do you think must be done to make sure that no one goes hungry any more, anywhere in the world? Dr. Nelson.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Yes, I think the main answer to your question is that we begin to really focus on the specific areas and bring all of the talent that we can have, specialist but also food scientists, that are concerned about food safety and marketing people to develop markets… certainly it is doable, and with the help of the locals we can make this a reality.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you very much.  Dr. Gupta?

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: There are two aspects to makes sure that no one goes hungry in the world. One is increase production. Increase the food production so that everyone can.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Okay, thank you both for that. And I just want to address, apologize to the audience for the audio interference at times when we have more than one microphone on, we get a little echo. And our next question comes from in and asks how I can be helpful in this field? Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  If I knew about this person, concern, we need to know locally what is needed and not try to say that we know what those areas need. We have a good idea but in many cases, the need and the solutions have to come from those local areas.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn):  Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: I do not know the background of this person. If they are a scientist, administrator but everyone has a role to play for production and to see that Global populations don't go hungry. Unless I know the background I won't be able to comment about it.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): All right, fair enough. You both raised a good point. Our next question is just for Dr. Gupta and the question is Dr. Gupta's blue revolution applicable to Africa, south of the Sahara and north of the Limpopo River?

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: (Inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you. Our next question asks for the food security issue how much coordination do you have with the United Nations agencies, like U.N., FAO, and other organizations that have activities for enhancing food security?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  These kinds of issues have to go through a number of agencies for coordination. Our active (inaudible)... food losses is really just beginning. And we are now having conversations with the groups and trying to bring attention to the fact that we produce a lot of food that is lost before it is consumed. And so I am I'm trying to make this a major issue, and with our center getting established I'm sure that we'll come into play. You know, I always to teach man to fish and he’ll live forever. I want to add one more part to that teach man how to preserve his fish, and he will feed his village and also make some money.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: (Inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn):  Excellent, Dr. Gupta. Our next question, it has sufficient farm lands but the paradox is they lack basic feeding for the local populations. Why do African countries focus on industrial products instead of products directly consumable? Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Certainly it doesn't make sense that there isn’t a focus on feeding the people. I'm not sure I don't know that area well enough to be able to speak with any confidence, but that activity must change if we're going to.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Dr. Gupta.

(Inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): And our next question comes in, what impact does Global warming have on the production of food? Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  There's no question you have had a good topic. That is going to change some of our production practices. We're relying a lot upon our genetic readers and even GMOs to address this problem where we can have crops that will be adjusted to those kinds of growing conditions. There will be a world probably a world on Global shift in production activities. So, this is important aspect, and we cannot take it serious enough.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Dr. Gupta?

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Certainly Global warming will have an impact on the food production both and a lot of the research is going on into how we could have helped ourselves to face the Global warming so that … (inaudible) …

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): okay, thank you. And our next question: can we talk about any policy without taking into account climate change, and that sounds like it is in follow-up to our last question. So I'm going to take the next one from Marty who directs this specifically to Dr. Gupta. Dr. Gupta, I understand that aquaculture plays an important role in the production of cultured fish in captivity, my question is, how do you balance the environmental impacts of aquaculture practices and the sustainable development of fish production as food? Another question is how do you increase the awareness of certain communities of people to eat fish or other cultured species from aquaculture industry as opposed to the fish and other species from the capture industry? Thanks in advance.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: (inaudible)… the focus on Global food security at many levels, probably the biggest one though is the G-8 that’s pledged $20 billion in the next ten years to address this issue. So I would expect to see that activity have a greater focus. There is this interest of having food in everyone’s ability to feed them. I think that also we're going to just see even more activity by foundations, private foundations as well. So I am very encouraged by the interest, by government agencies as well as private.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn):  Your microphone might be off, Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: Well, I think the international policy … (inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you. And our next question is for Dr. Nelson. And it is from, Dr. Nelson are there simple methods to be used at farm level to improve food preservation and food security. How those could be promoted in rural areas in developing countries.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Well, that's a great question. You know, I wish that we had a magic bullet that we could say will address every issue. There are a few examples of where grain can be served earlier, in Africa, we're simply putting -- in a bag, a bag that is oxygen-free that prevents the insects from eating the grain. There are some other very simple ways of putting the storage units off the ground. Locals are specific; I think one of our problems.(inaudible).

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Excellent. Well, that's good to hear, and we have a follow-up question. A follow-up to our previous question. If yes, then what were the immediate results and I believe this refers to the results in India. Thank you.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: (Inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Okay, thank you. And this question is also, and that is, there is a local food made out. Conservation is a problem. Recently some young researchers have found a method to preserve it for a long time. The issue is financial means. Who can help them? Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  That's exactly the type of situation that a center that I'm talking about could help. We do have these activities small in nature taking place in different parts of the world, and trying to -- bring attention to it and get money focused on it is -- has been difficult. I'm talking about this would bring that kind of we would hope to bring a lot of young researchers to things abroad. Not one that is going to save the world but to save that local area. And so, with that then, with the use of foundations, industrial support, private support, I think …(inaudible)…

Dr. Philip Nelson:  What I was saying is I'm not sure that I'm the best to answer that. Certainly, in my area of discussion, Africa would get the immediate attention. However, there are many other countries that…(inaudible)…

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you. Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: (Inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): The next question comes in and it looks like it is more particular to Dr. Nelson but we'll open the floor up to both. I read an article on the internet stating that many of the products exported to Africa are mainly made with chemical products which would be dangerous for human health. What are the international measures taken to solve this issue? And I think we can particularly ask in terms of aseptic food processing. Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Yes, I question that article has validity, certainly I can't imagine anyone exporting foods that would be dangerous that are safe and will not cause harm and will provide the nutrition that is really required.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn):  Thank you. Dr. Gupta.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: (Inaudible)

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Okay, thank you. And our next question also is it possible to tell your innovation taking into account geographical and is sociological needs? Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Philip Nelson:  Technology will not meet all of the needs and that’s why we need a center to develop applicable to the local areas to their need. My technology will work for many parts of the world, and is being used, and of course, the reason for my winning the world food prize. But, to think that this is going to solve the world.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): We have questions coming in about particular strategies we touched on this in the past but we’ll take these questions. Valerie sums it up well and says, Dr. Nelson, how can farmers apply aseptic food processing technologies to improve food quality. And the follow-up question also, could you please give us some strategies for advancing agriculture to solve world food needs? Thank you. Dr. Nelson.

Dr. Philip Nelson:  … (Inaudible) …However, we do have techniques for food safety that can be used by individual farmers and so, entrepreneurs I think will garner ash some of the areas and realize that as the populations and the cities in their areas increase, the fee delivered to that consumer in some way that will meet their needs. And so, that will take place on the farm. And again, aseptic processing … (inaudible) …

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you. Our next question comes from N'Goran Vanessa: Nowadays many products are genetically modified to accelerate their growing up. Don't you think that adding foreign substances to these crops is dangerous for the consumers' health? Do these crops conserve all the nutritional elements necessary to the good functioning of our bodies? Dr. Nelson?

Dr. Modadugu Gupta:  In the U.S., we feel genetically modified products that are tested, are safe, are nutritionally sound and we're consuming large quantities of grains in particular. The amount of material production that's required to feed our population. Genetically modification does not mean that we’re adding something. It means that we're … (inaudible) …

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Thank you, and we have one minute left to this web chat so I would just like to ask one more question, and then leave the floor for any closing remarks from Dr. Nelson and Dr. Gupta and we have been so honored to you have both here. We really appreciate it. Our last question is, is there any hope for our country to produce sufficient food for its population given the worsening warming and long dry season there? Thank you. Dr. Nelson.

Dr. Philip Nelson:(inaudible)...Even some of the work of Dr. Gupta’s interest. Thank you so much for your interest. It is always interesting to talk to people who care and all together, we're going to make a difference and certainly, we owe that to those families that are out there that are struggling with insufficient food or insufficient. And I think that working together, we can make a difference. Norman Borlaug the father of the green revolution always let me know that one person can make a difference, and I think that each of us can.

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn): Dr. Gupta, any last remarks?

Dr. Modadugu Gupta: First of all I would like to thank for inviting me… (inaudible) …

ircabidjan: thank you very much for this opportunity offered to us to talk food security. Unfortunately the quality of the feedback was poor. Abidjan

ircabidjan 4: thank you for this opportunity.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): Thank you all for joining today. We will post a link to the recording from today's program and the transcript in 2-3 business days.

ircabidjan 6: ok thank you

ircabidjan 2: we really do appreciate once more and hoping to be with you the earlier as possible thank to you and your team.

ircabidjan 4: it was very good.

ircabidjan 5: Thank you very much

ircabidjan: IT WAS A PLEASURE to debate about this interesting topic

CO.NX Moderator (Jennryn) 2: This webchat closed. The views expressed here represent those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Department of State.

CO.NX Moderator (Sarah): To contact us, please write to conx@state.gov.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)