The first brief was launched in Adelaide by Dr Gabrielle Persley at the National Food Security Forum on 13 February 2012.
Dr Persley launches 'wider canvas' at the Forum
In addition to a national ABC TVinterview, and a range of radio discussions, some of the coverage related to the series is below:
In August, 2011 The Crawford Fund announced its new research study on emerging trends in world food security. The purpose of the study is to analyse the emerging trends that will affect the future international agricultural research agenda and identify potential new funding streams for such research. The study will also demonstrate the benefits of investments in international agricultural research.
The study is to be led by Dr Gabrielle Persley of the Doyle Foundation. Gabrielle was a foundation staff member of ACIAR and co-author of the 2008 Crawford Fund Task Force Report on World Food Security.
The study will present its findings progressively through a series of Policy Briefs which can be ordered or downloaded from the website. The current list of topics to be addressed are listed below.
You can find an overview of the briefs on following pages and the opportunity for your input will be provided.
The study takes place in the context of renewed concerns about world food security and a recurrence of factors that led to the food price spike that shocked the world in the first half of 2008. These factors include the competition amongst grain crops for use as food, feed or bio-fuels; the rising price of oil, which in turn increases the costs of agricultural inputs, particularly fertilisers and pesticides; and the lack of affordable credit.
"There is a maelstrom of factors that continue to have negative impacts on small farmers in their efforts to increase productivity and generate surpluses for sale in local, regional and international markets," said Dr Persley.
"Since the food crisis in 2008, the world news media has concentrated less on further record highs in food prices, with attention on the series of natural disasters in various parts of the globe and on political unrest, yet there is little focus on the fact that they are interrelated."
The study briefs and related media and communications outputs on each topic are intended to inform and influence politicians, policy makers and others with interests and responsibilities in food security, agriculture and international development.
Within each priority topic, to identify current gaps and areas for future investments by public and private entities in international agricultural research.
To communicate the benefits of international agricultural research more effectively and to a wider audience in Australia and internationally.
Specifically for the Crawford Fund, to inform more strategic choices of topics for future Crawford Fund Parliamentary Conferences and future Master Classes; and identify specific areas for support through Crawford Fund State and Territory committees and their training programs.