GENEVA, Feb. 8, 2012 – DuPont presented its investments in research and development in the food, agriculture and nutrition sectors during the The Economist Conferences Feeding the World summit in Geneva today.
DuPont Executive Vice President James C. Borel spoke to more than 200 business, government and non-profit leaders at about collaborating to achieve global food security. The Feeding the World summit explores actions needed to ensure that a global population rising to 9 billion or more can be fed sustainably and equitably.
“We know that the consequences of hunger and malnutrition are so devastating, so multi-faceted, that no one company, country or organization has all the answers. It will take all of us working collaboratively to ensure that every person has enough nutritious food to eat,” Borel said. “Together, we must take action. Now is the time for increased accountability to prevent the looming crisis that will have ramifications for all people.”
DuPont committed to invest $10 billion in research and development dedicated to the food, agriculture and nutrition sectors and advancing 4,000 new products by the end of 2020.
This commitment includes support for training and education opportunities for youth and working with farmers to improve the livelihoods of families in rural communities. (For more information visit www.foodsecurity.dupont.com.)
“Science is global – but solutions must be local. The chances of achieving that goal are increased dramatically by creating science-based innovations that target specific local challenges, collaborating with others on solutions and bringing know-how to the people and places that need it most,” said Borel.
Borel provided the following examples of DuPont’s investments:
- Developing a natural culture that preserves and stabilizes raw milk and extends its shelf life by 8 to 12 hours.
- Investing $2 million over two years to establish a comprehensive professional development institute for 4-H African leadership. The company’s initial focus is in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa.
- Technology to deliver drought-tolerant seeds to local farmers across the globe.
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