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DuPont to study need to feed growing world

The need to feed a growing world population is one of many concerns in agriculture. Jim Borel, executive vice president of Dupont, says his company and others have to make sure that not only are the right products available, but the right policies are in place to do that.

“Trade policies, economic development, how do we all work together in a way that can facilitate productivity improvement around the world? I’m optimistic we can do it, but we’ve all got our work cut out for us.”

To that end, Borel tells Brownfield he’s helping form a committee to be chaired by former Senator Tom Daschle.

“And, the focus is going to be over the next year to try to understand,” says Borel, “What are the policy changes, the public policy changes that are going to be required to be able to feed the extra three-billion people?”

Borel adds that the population explosion will be in the most underdeveloped countries.

“Even if we improve their productivity in ag significantly, they won’t have enough – they’re going to also have to import food,” says Borel, “So, we’ve got to work together to find ways to get their policies developed, get their trade policies adjusted.”

Borel says more than 85 percent of our food never crosses the border and that has to change. Borel made his comments at the 2010 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.

DuPont is parent to Pioneer® Hi-Bred International seed company.

AUDIO: Jim Borel (6 min. MP3)

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