Family Farms Around the Globe

The United Nations has named 2019-2028 the Decade of Family Farming. The interactive page linked below includes a video, key messages, and key facts. You are encouraged to explore the page and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the world. 

United Nations Decade of Family Farming

Discussion Points

• After watching the video what message resonated with you and why?
• The page shared the importance of youth to the family farm. Why is youth important to the family farm? How are youth engaged in family farming in your home region? Does this look different around the globe?
• Scroll through and investigate the "Key Messages." Which key message do you believe is the most important and why?
• Explore and swipe through the "Key Facts." Which key fact grabbed your attention and why? 

World Food Prize Twitter Exploration

It is World Food Prize week! This is a time when world leaders gather to tackle the challenges around food insecurity. The Borlaug International Dialogue has so many engaging sessions throughout the week. Many of these sessions' main points are highlighted via Twitter and can be found by following #FoodPrize21. Many topics are covered including sustainable agriculture, research and innovation, gender equity, climate change, best practices, and much more. If you are on Twitter grab your phone and search #FoodPrize21. If you are not a Twitter user you can still follow the conversation via this link as long as posts are not protected/private.

We encourage you to explore the Tweets that have the hashtag #FoodPrize21 and complete the challenges below. You may discuss your findings/thoughts with others or quote retweet and start a conversation online.

• Find a #FoodPrize21 tweet that you agree with. Explain why this is the case for yourself.
• Find a #FoodPrize21 tweet that you disagree with or question. Why is this the case?
• Find a #FoodPrize21 tweet that surprises you and you would like to explore further. Why did this Tweet grab your attention?

Keep in mind that throughout this week Tweets will continue to be posted. Return often to explore further conversations!

World Food Day 2021

October 16th is World Food Day. Linked below you will find a video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations highlighting World Food Day. We encourage you to watch the video and reflect on the questions below with others around the globe. 

World Food Day 2021

Discussion Points

• The video shares, "For each and every one of us, food tells a story." What does this statement mean to you? What is your food story?
• From watching the video, how do food stories differ around the globe? How do cultural differences impact our food stories?
• How does agriculture production in your local area and around the world impact your food story?
• "Our actions are our future." What does this statement mean to you? How will your actions regarding food and agriculture make for a better future?

Vietnam Agriculture Trade

Agriculture trade is important for the success of so many. This week we take a look at the country of Vietnam and agriculture trade. We challenge you to utilize the discussion points below and explore with others how Vietnam agriculture trade may or may not relate to your life. 

Vietnam: A Feed Importing Powerhouse

Discussion Points

• What has been the trend with feed imports and meat production in Vietnam? How does this look in comparison to your home country?
• What global challenges and/or successes have had an impact on Vietnam agriculture trade? How have these same challenges and/or successes impacted your home country or region?
• What other world events could impact agriculture trade that were not mentioned in the report?
• This report discusses the different regions in which aquaculture, pigs, or birds are produced in Vietnam. What factors influence production by regions? Do you see the same type of regional patterns with agricultural production in your home country?

Lao PDR Rice and Fish Production

Rice and fish may or may not be common agricultural commodities produced in your home region. Whether rice and fish production are common in your area or not there is a great chance that we all can reflect and learn from farmers in Lao PDR (Lao People's Democratic Republic). We encourage you to explore the linked story below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Tapping into aquatic resources to lift rice production

Discussion Points

• The following quote was shared in the article. "In the past we used to farm in harmony with the environment. But now we have more pests, and we do not know how to cope with them." Do you agree with this statement? Would you respond differently in different parts of the world? What about your home region?
• The linked story mentions that diversification in agricultural production is good for the environment and helps reduce poverty. Why is this the case in Lao PDR? Do you think agriculture in your region could benefit from an increase in diversification? Explain your reasoning.
• The story shares how farmers benefited from sharing information. Do you see those in agriculture in your home area sharing data the way farmers have in Lao PDR? 
• What are your final thoughts regarding this global agriculture story? What are your main take-a-ways?

CRISPR Access to Fight Hunger

Science and technology advancements are often expensive and therefore can be unavailable to those who need it most. A university in the Netherlands is breaking the mold and offering access to CRISPR-Cas technology to non-profits in the fight against food insecurity. The linked release includes text and a couple videos regarding the announcement and an explanation of CRISPR-Cas. We encouraged you to explore the linked news release below and utilize the discussion points to engage with others around the globe. 

WUR gives away CRISPR intellectual property licenses 

Discussion Points

• What is CRISPR-Cas technology?
• How does CRISPR-Cas technology have the potential to fight hunger around the world?
• Why is the concept of granting complimentary licenses of CRISPR-Cas technology such a ground-breaking concept? Do you think this is a good thing or not?
• Should other universities and companies follow this example with CRISPR-Cas and other scientific technologies? Why or why not? Do you see this as common practice in the future? Do you think different countries around the world have different outlooks?

Bangladesh Farmers Go Digital

Smart phones loaded with different apps have become a norm for many around the globe. This week we travel to Bangladesh to learn about the Digital Bangladesh initiative and how it is creating a digital transformation through the use of apps and other technology. We encourage you to watch the short video linked below and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the world.

Digital Village in Bangladesh

Discussion Points (We encourage you to watch the video twice. Once focusing on the text and the other focusing on the video footage.)

• What did you find interesting about this video/content and why?
• When you focused on the video footage versus the text what did you notice about agriculture in Bangladesh? How is it similar or different than agriculture in your home region? What unique challenges might Bangladesh face that you do not and vice versa?
• The video highlighted the use of apps by farmers in Bangladesh. Do farmers in your region utilize apps in their work? How do you think the use of apps are similar and/or different in Bangladesh and your home region?
• Do farmers in your home region receive similar help/training with apps and technology? Compare and contrast the assistance/training.