#BorlaugBlog
For 30 years, the World Food Prize has worked to build on the legacy of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the man who saved a billion lives, by recognizing the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. Our Laureates, our close partners, and our staff work tirelessly to alleviate hunger through innovative approaches, and we hope to share their expertise, research, and personal stories on The Borlaug Blog.
In the Borlaug Blog, we will occasionally post a blog featuring stories, research, and expert opinion from our Laureates, partners, and staff. It is our hope that this blog series will create a conversation between farmers, NGOs, CEOs and people across the globe.
High-rises for Better Nutrition
By Per Pinstrup-Andersen posted on
10/22/2018
at 8:00 AM
Micronutrient deficiencies are a very important part of the world food problem. Current estimates are that about 2 billion, more than a quarter of the world population, are affected. There are no indications that the number is falling, but it is likely to be tilted increasingly to urban populations. These...
The Norm Effect
By Isabella Culotta posted on
10/19/2018
at 8:00 AM
There’s a certain feeling I get during each World Food Prize event I attend, a sense of ignition. I go home inspired and excited by agricultural development and the people working towards it with me. I call it the Norm Effect. Dr. Norman Borlaug spent his life working towards change...
Feeding the World, One Child at a Time
By Senator Robert Dole posted on
10/18/2018
at 8:00 AM
I am delighted to join in commending Dr. Lawrence Haddad and Dr. David Nabarro upon receiving the World Food Prize for their important work on infant and child nutrition. They have dedicated their lives to helping those most in need and deserve this wonderful recognition.
I would also like to commend...
International Collaboration to Alleviate an Emerging Threat to Wheat
By Dr. Matthew Rouse posted on
10/17/2018
at 8:00 AM
“It was scary,” said International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) scientist David Hodson. He was referring to hectare after hectare of wheat fields prematurely killed by a disease called stem rust in the Bale region of Ethiopia in 2013-2014. Compared with yields the previous year, average yield losses were...
A Vision for the Future
By Wendy Wintersteen posted on
10/16/2018
at 8:00 AM
In the year 2050, a gathering will take place at the Mpirigiti Rural Training Centre in the Kamuli District of Uganda. The purpose of the assembled group will be to open a time capsule from the year 2018.
The time capsule was sealed this past July when I was honored to...
When Iowans Changed the World
By Michael Gartner posted on
10/15/2018
at 8:00 AM
Nearly 40 years ago, Ken Quinn wondered if I’d meet him after work for a drink. He had an idea, he said. The idea was quite simple: Change the world. And Iowans did.
At the time, Quinn was working for Gov. Robert Ray and I was the editor of The Des...
Top 10 Featured Highlights of the 2018 World Food Prize Week
By Ambassador Kenneth Quinn posted on
10/13/2018
at 3:54 PM
The World Food Prize, stated be the equivalent of the “Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture,” is a $250,000 award created by Iowa’s great agricultural hero Dr. Norman Borlaug. It is presented each year in the magnificent Iowa State Capitol on or about October 16, celebrated around the globe as...
Adaptation to Environmental Stresses in Corn
By Dr. Surinder Vasal posted on
10/08/2018
at 8:00 AM
Corn is perhaps nature’s greatest gift to mankind. Its growth has been phenomenal, making it the world’s leading crop. Its contribution to the global food basket is significant. I consider it a crop of extraordinary features, with options and opportunities to make improvements, tackle problems and generate a spectrum of...
Changing the World, One Tweet at a Time
By Melanie Van Horn posted on
10/01/2018
at 8:00 AM
Walking into the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates for the first time was a breathtaking experience for me, a young college student starting her first professional internship. The high ceilings and spacious ballrooms enveloped me as I entered, and a wide stone staircase flanked by two enormous pillars guided...
The Power of Six
By Dr. Sarah Evanega posted on
09/24/2018
at 8:00 AM
Let’s start with a simple math problem. Take your 2017 adjusted gross income and multiply it by six. When you have your answer, think about this: How would your life be different if your income increased six-fold? What new choices would you make? How would you improve your life? How...