News
International farmers discuss shared challenges
Eleven farmers from 10 different countries are discovering that many of their challenges are unique, but many are common to all of them.
Adriel Dave “AD” Alvarez, who farms in the Philippines, says he ignores negative talk about technology, resulting in his production being 10 to 12 times that of other farmers.
“Increasing yield means increasing income,” said Alvarez during Tuesday’s discussion, “increasing income means you’re attacking the root of poverty.”
Alvarez grows corn on about a hundred acres.
It’s the goal of Canadian transplant Cheryl Hazenberg to post daily on social media something from her adopted Ireland to counter “negative propaganda” that comes up in Google searches on agriculture.
“Where I’m coming from is somebody’s got to put the positive out there,” said Hazenberg, “and at least if I’m these positive images out there, when people search there’s a chance that they’re going to come across the correct information.”
Hazenberg and her husband milk 70 Holsteins in Ireland. The roundtable is held in conjunction with the World Food Prize Forum in Des Moines.
Add Comment