CHICO, CA – Philippine Secretary of Agriculture Arthur Yap joined over 300 agriculture executives from over 30 nations last week at the World Rice Conference in Cebu, Philippines last week. The event is hosted by Sykeston, ND native and NDSU alum Jeremy Zwinger, president and CEO of international market newsletter The Rice Trader (TRT).
The conference addressed how global economic conditions, inclement weather and suffering production are causing serious concerns about food security and prices. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that food production must increase 50 percent by 2030 in order meet demand.
"The circumstances are there certainly for another panic in the marketplace," Dwight Roberts, president and CEO of U.S. Rice Producers Association, told The Associated Press at the conference.
However, Mr. Yap announced during his keynote address that the Philippine government and he will do “what we have to do to protect our people's food security."
After Yap's address, Mr. Zwinger presented a $10,000 donation to International Rice Research Institute Director of Program Planning and Communication Dr. Michal Jackson. The funds will be used to support rice production research.
“While the rice trade has not been known for giving private dollars to fund public research, the example of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is particularly inspiring,” Mr. Zwinger said. “I hope others in the trade may also look at this example.”
Mr. Yap said he’s an avid TRT reader and was impressed by the gift saying it represents the spirit governments and industry leaders need to follow in order to protect global food security.
“We are honored by the impressive and influential attendance at our conference,” said Zwinger. “Every agriculture market has been volatile and the World Rice Conference has generated the ideas and energy required to boost food supply and stabilize markets.
Conference web site: www.trtworldrice.com
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Source: KFGO News Center
