Basel, Switzerland
May 30, 2012
- Index analyzes robustness of food security system
- Farm level factors the major contributor to system robustness
- Collaboration between public and private sectors essential for solutions
Syngenta announced today the launch of the Rice Bowl Index, a diagnostic tool that provides insight and information on the robustness of the food security system across Asia-Pacific. The Rice Bowl Index is designed to facilitate productive dialogue, collaboration and action between governments, NGOs and the private sector, moving from simply identifying problems to finding solutions.
“Truly understanding the robustness of a food security system can be transformational to economic and social development,” said Dr Robert Berendes, Global Head of Business Development at Syngenta. “It is clear from this analysis that collaboration and a system wide integrated approach are vital in order to effect change that is sustainable in the long term.”
A White Paper authored by Professor Paul Teng, one of Asia’s leading food security experts, supports the Rice Bowl Index, the methodology of which was developed by Frontier Strategy Group.
“It is easy to fall into the trap of inaction due to the complexities in dealing with food security. What is most challenging is how to translate the complexity of food security into an opportunity for action. The Rice Bowl Index is one platform which supports an effort and commitment to doing so,” said Professor Teng.
Richard Leggett, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Strategy Group, said: “We have drawn on our extensive community of executives, emerging market expertise and validated data to create a tool that we hope will make an important contribution to the food security debate.”
Dr. Berendes was also in Bangkok in his capacity as Co-Chairman of the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Agriculture (NVA) which convened as part of the WEF’s East Asia Summit. Consistent with the principles that underpin the Rice Bowl Index, the NVA has a shared agenda for action and multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve sustainable agricultural growth through market-based solutions. It has implemented innovative public-private collaborations in Tanzania, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico and is working through several global forums to build momentum.
For more information on the Rice Bowl Index, please visit www.ricebowlindex.com
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