Robotic Weeder

Technology is becoming more and more integrated into our lives every day. This week we highlight a video showcasing new technology being developed in Switzerland called the ecoRobotix. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points provided to spark conversations around the globe!

ecoRobotix Video in English

Discussion Points

• There are many benefits listed in the video to utilizing ecoRobotix. Of the benefits shared which do you feel is the most important and why?
• How would this technology be received in your home country/area? Do you think it might be received differently in different countries/regions? Explain.
•  Do you see any issues or ways to improve this technology?
• Think outside the box. What other technology could we create and utilize in agriculture to improve efficiency, production, and sustainability?

Cassava, Coffee, and Global Food Prices

When we think of agricultural commodities that are traded at a global level we often focus on what commodities we grow and raise locally. Often times we can lose site of the big picture when it comes to global commodities, trade, and prices. This week we feature an article from the FAO that highlights international agricultural commodity prices and what it means for trade and farmers and consumers around the globe. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points to guide you conversations in classrooms, coffee shops, and communities around the world.

Declining International Prices to Ease Food Import Burden for Poorest Countries 

Discussion Points

• What are overall worldwide trends in agriculture commodity and food prices? Who benefits? Who will face challenges?
• What are the trends with cassava globally? Depending on your location around the globe what roll does cassava play in your diet? Why or why not is it a popular crop in your area?
• Coffee is the widest traded tropical product in the world. What is the outlook for coffee trade and prices?
• Often times when we talk commodity prices we look at how farmers or consumers are impacted. Who else is impacted by commodity prices and trade outside of the farmer and consumer? How are these others impacted?

Street Art Agricultural Education

There are many ways to inform farmers and consumers on important practices and procedures in agriculture. A group in the country of Georgia is utilizing street art to spread the word and educate others on the importance of animal identification and health. The short video (2:26) linked below shares how the program is being implemented to educate others. We encourage you to watch this video and utilize the discussion points provided to guide your conversations with others around the globe.

Street art promoting Animal Identification and Traceability System in Georgia

Discussion Points

• What is the purpose of this street art?
• Do you think that the street art will have an impact in the way it is intended? Do you think different cultures would look at this differently? Explain your reasoning either way.
• This is a creative way to get information out to others. Can you brainstorm and discuss other creative ways to disseminate information that is outside the norm? 

African Swine Flu Takes Flight

Often times individuals become frustrated with long lines at customs as they fly into another country or return home. However, this weeks featured article shows the importance of the work these custom agents have. We are featuring an article that explains how African Swine Flu became mobile via a flight to Japan. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to have conversations with others around the globe!

African Swine Fever Detected in Luggage at Airport

Discussion Points

• Why is African Swine Fever such a concern to producers around the world?
• Is there extreme concern with this sausage causing the spread of African Swine Fever? Explain.
• Put yourself in the position where you are in charge of customs at an airport. What would be your top priorities/practices to protect agriculture in your home country? Think about both animal and plants.

What does FOOD mean to you?

This is a very busy week in Des Moines, Iowa (USA) with World Food Prize events and this past Tuesday (October 16, 2008) was World Food Day. This week we highlight a video created for World Food Day that features many stories of food and food production around the globe. We encourage you to watch the linked video and strike up conversations with others around the world!

World Food Day Video

Discussion Points

• We will pose the question that was highlighted at the beginning of the video to you. What does food mean to you? 
• What are some of the main reasons for hunger around the world?
• Several stories are highlighted throughout the video. Which story stuck out to you and why?
• What action can you take to help ensure a #ZeroHunger future?

Organic Farming with Gene Editing?

This week we take a look at a piece that discusses the relationship between genetic engineering/CRISPR/mutation breeding and organic agriculture. This is often a controversial topic that can get heated. We encourage you to read through the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to have civil conversations with others around the globe.

Organic farming with gene editing: An oxymoron or a tool for sustainable agriculture?

Discussion Points

• Explain the difference between genetic engineering, CRISPR, and mutation breeding.
• How are countries and groups looking at CRISPR differently around the globe?
• How does society in your home country look at genetic engineering, CRISPR, and mutation breeding? Do other countries view these practices differently or similarly?
• What do you see as the future of these practices/technologies and their relationships to conventional and organic farming around the globe? Do you see organic producers accepting practices like this in the future? Explain your reasoning.

Global Food Crisis

This week we take a look at a TED Talk that raises the concern that we may be closer to a global food crisis than many have predicted. While the video is a little longer than videos we traditionally feature (17 minutes) there are many points and thoughts brought to the table to get you thinking. We encourage you to watch the video and then utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe.

A global food crisis may be less than a decade away

Discussion Points

• Why does the speaker warn that a food crisis may be closer to reality than most may think?
• What piece of information shared was most surprising to you and why?
• Was there any piece of information shared that you did not necessarily agree with? If so, what was it and why? 
• In your opinion what must we do to avoid a food crisis like the speaker shares? Be able to defend your thoughts/plans.