August 29, 2023
Sustainable productivity growth is recognized as a tool for creating resilient food systems that create returns for producers, society, the environment, and the economy.
October 3, 2022
The 2021 COP26 Summit (Climate Change Conference of the Parties) aimed to bring the world to the negotiating table to define a roadmap for…
October 3, 2022
Agriculture and food production are of the utmost importance to peace and prosperity. Throughout history, the rise and fall of civilizations has been greatly…
September 30, 2022
Background The food price spike of 2005-2008 sparked civil unrest in dozens of countries, including across the Middle East, where the Arab Spring soon…
September 30, 2022
While the Russia-Ukraine war has had repercussions across the globe, it has been especially problematic for bakeries and households in Africa, a region that…
September 30, 2022
Potatoes and sweet potatoes have played important roles in nourishing burgeoning populations in Africa and Asia, and their attributes ensure their contribution to food…
September 30, 2022
The global pest Fall Armyworm has been on an unwarranted global tour making its way from North America to the African continent. By 2018…
September 30, 2022
Rice is one of the most important staple grains consumed around the world, feeding more than half the world’s population. Profitable rice cultures today…
September 28, 2022
The Mosaic Company has taken the spirit of collaboration to heart when it comes to creating new soil fertility products and resources that improve…
September 28, 2022
Environmental stewardship is one of the core focus areas of the Smithfield sustainability strategy, seeking bold and innovative ways to do good for the…
September 28, 2022
Smithfield Foods is continually researching methods to produce high-quality, high-protein products that improve agricultural productivity, require fewer resources and have a smaller…
September 28, 2022
Climate change and unpredictable seasonality can make it difficult for farmers to make important business decisions on crop management. For example, one…
September 28, 2022
Can digital services for agriculture contribute to resilient TFP growth in sub-Saharan Africa? By Jessica Agnew, Harrison Byrnes, Okeyo Mwai…
September 28, 2022
By Jessica Agnew, Ph.D., Associate Director, CALS Global, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences TFP Growth in East Africa reached its peak…
May 25, 2022
East African agriculture faces compounding crises of COVID-19, conflict, and climate. This June, join us for a data-driven, solutions-oriented virtual event with actionable insights…
April 26, 2022
The GAP Initiative creates opportunities for Virginia Tech students to engage in the global agricultural and food security communities through our internship program. In…
October 20, 2021
A recent report from the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation has found that investments in the CGIAR system yield…
October 19, 2021
Traditional rice farming techniques in India are becoming environmentally unsustainable. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) is an alternative resource-efficient technology that minimizes the…
October 19, 2021
The Mosaic Company is working to equip farmers with the tools to harness the fertility power of soil health. Through new products like…
October 19, 2021
Deere & Company is not only working to improve productivity on the farm but also in the factory by bringing connectivity to rural America.
October 19, 2021
A coalition of researchers and scientists at Bayer Crop Science are working together to protect the world’s most popular banana variety from the…
October 19, 2021
By 2050, the world’s population is expected to double and the demand for protein is expected to dramatically increase. Sustainable food production is critical…
October 18, 2021
A four-wheeled robot roams the diverse terrain of a cow pasture as a drone flies overhead the herd, providing almost real-time modeling…
October 18, 2021
A CALL TO ACTION: By Ana Bilik, President, Tanager The Sustainable Development Goals have become a common set of metrics behind a movement, “a…
October 18, 2021
Smithfield Foods works to introduce holistic regenerative agriculture solutions throughout its grain supply chain via its…
October 18, 2021
Most people don’t think much about soils, but soils are important in many ways. Soils provide many ecosystem services including water storage and run-off…
October 18, 2021
Over application of fertilizer increases the potential for nutrient losses, including runoff, volatile ammonia emissions, and denitrification while also reducing profitability for the farmer.
October 18, 2021
Since the first tubers were taken from South America to Europe in the 16th century, the potato has spread across the globe…
October 15, 2021
Food production systems across the globe have detrimental shortcomings: in the worst cases, systems can actively lead to the degradation of the…
October 15, 2021
In recent decades, family farming (FF) has demonstrated that, with support from wellcoordinated policies on productive inclusion, it has the capacity to generate employment…
October 15, 2021
By Rick McNary, co-founder of Shop Kansas Farms and vice president of strategic partnership at The Outreach Program In the early months of the…
October 15, 2021
Food Enterprise Solutions (FES) is bringing more attention to the role of business in the food supply chain with its Business Drivers for Food…
October 15, 2021
Women provide over 40 percent of agricultural labor in the world but only have ownership of 12 percent of agricultural land.
October 15, 2021
Farmer-led irrigation is not a new concept. For decades, governments and NGOs alike have focused on engaging farmers in the implementation of…
October 15, 2021
With the global population expected to reach nearly 10 billion people in 2050, the GAP Report estimates that agricultural output will need to double…
October 15, 2021
Ensuring we can feed the world’s growing population in the years to come requires collaboration. Key to that is public-private-producer partnerships, which…
October 15, 2021
Agriculture is the second-largest contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions around the world, accounting for one-fourth of carbon emissions. Along with GHG emissions,…
October 15, 2021
By: Roger Thurow Scholar-in-Residence at Auburn University Senior Fellow, Center on Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs A narrow…
October 15, 2021
By: Ruben G. Echeverria Sr. Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Director General Emeritus, International Center for Tropical…
October 10, 2021
By Wei Zhang, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, GAP Initiative Faculty Research Fellow, with Jean Paul Chavas, University of Wisconsin-Madison Climate…
October 15, 2021
By Rattan Lal 2020 World Food Prize Laureate CFAES Rattan Lal Carbon Management and Sequestration Center The Ohio State University…
October 20, 2021
Published by VT News, October 20, 2021 Today, the 2021 Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report), “Strengthening the Climate for Sustainable Agricultural…
October 20, 2021
Published by Agri-Pulse, October 20, 2021 Excerpt: “The report’s release comes as the Biden administration is organizing a coalition of countries to promote…
October 8, 2021
Published by VT News, October 2021 In a virtual event, the 2021 Global Agricultural Productivity Report, “Strengthening the Climate for Agricultural Growth,” will…
September 15, 2021
In preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit, the Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative will host an event to make the case for productivity growth as a key strategy.
July 6, 2021
VIDEO BLOG: Improved crop nutrient and water management practices lead to increased productivity and profits.
June 28, 2021
VIDEO BLOG: A program implemented by Tanager, an international development organization, is transforming the poultry sector in Burkina Faso.
October 22, 2021
Summary of coverage of The Case for Productivity publication and launch.
June 15, 2021
Summary of coverage of The Case for Productivity publication and launch.
June 15, 2021
In anticipation of the UN Food Systems summit, a publication released today argues that accelerating agricultural productivity growth, especially for small-scale producers, is imperative to the future of agriculture.
June 10, 2021
CALS’s Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative makes the case for efficiency at an upcoming event Published by VT News, June 9,…
May 27, 2021
In preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit, the Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative will host an event to make the case for productivity growth as a key strategy.
May 11, 2021
Virginia State University’s M. Ray McKinnie shares his thoughts on the goals of the 1890 land-grant university extension system, the impact of COVID-19 on the work of Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the perspective of African-American farmers.
April 28, 2021
Largely due to technological and data-informed advances, agricultural productivity is growing globally at an average annual rate of 1.63%, according to a Virginia Tech report.
April 23, 2021
Virginia Tech CALS Global funds research on the impact of extreme weather events on productivity growth. Results will be published in 2022 GAP Report.
April 13, 2021
Agricultural productivity is not just essential for sustainably meeting the demands of a growing world. The technologies and practices that enable producers to produce more output with the same amount, or less inputs, can also be harnessed to cultivate resilience.
April 7, 2021
GAP Initiative partners HarvestPlus, Purdue Center for Global Food Security, and Virginia Tech share stories of their efforts to strengthen the health of communities at risk from malnutrition and foodborne illnesses.
April 1, 2021
Despite supply chain restrictions and the economic downturn created by efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. exported $135.72 billion (US) of American agricultural products in 2020, a slight increase from 2019. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsak provided insights on the trade landscape for Virginia and U.S. producers at the Virginia Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade.
March 19, 2021
Every drop of water counts when trying to close the agricultural productivity gap. Women play a vital role in water management for agriculture and community health.
March 2, 2021
Hellen Waweru, a Kenyan smallholder farmer, shares her farming practices, challenges, and hopes for the future in this documentary short.
February 24, 2021
Sasakawa Africa Association shares their approach to strengthening the resilience of food systems in Africa through innovative approaches using information and communication technologies. By…
February 18, 2021
By Abigail R. Stevenson, with foreword by GAP Report team — The World Health Organization estimates 1 in 10 people globally…
February 9, 2021
By Ozzie Abaye, Professor, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, and Ann Steensland, Lead, Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative, Virginia Tech…
January 28, 2021
Fruits and vegetables are essential for human nutrition. But they’re also beneficial to the food system: the fruit and vegetable sector can…
October 26, 2020
Science and innovation are essential to keeping food systems resilient and able to sustain communities through volatile times. Innovations in…
October 14, 2020
Building sustainable agriculture systems that can withstand shocks like pandemics doesn’t mean only investing directly in agriculture, but in the fabric of society. Food…
October 14, 2020
In response to the contagious and deadly animal virus disease, Smithfield Foods’ mitigates risk using robust biosecurity policy. African Swine Fever (ASF) is a…
October 14, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a drastic shift in the importance of virtual tools, as the world rushed to adopt and embrace remote work…
October 12, 2020
The 2020 Global Agricultural Productivity Report raises concerns about the resilience of our agricultural systems in the face of pandemic-scale outbreaks that afflict people,…
October 10, 2020
Authors Hazel J. Malapit, International Food Policy Research Institute Ruth Suseela Meinzen-Dick, International Food Policy Research Institute…
October 10, 2020
Authors Martha King, Farm Foundation Abby Durheim, University of Nebraska-Lincoln…
October 10, 2020
Authors Tom Thompson, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech Tashi Gyatso, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech…
October 10, 2020
Authors Benjamin Grove; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia Tech Thomas Archibald; Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education; Virginia Tech Kristin…
October 10, 2020
Author Jim Gaffney, Corteva Agriscience Redeat Tibebu, University of Minnesota Download…
October 10, 2020
Author Jessica Agnew, Center for International Research, Education, and Development, Virginia Tech…
October 10, 2020
AgroTutor provides farmers with tailored information and recommendations based on sophisticated data analysis systems right from their mobile phones. New tools developed…
October 10, 2020
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute is continually improving a drought monitoring system that aims to reduce impacts of increasingly common drought events. The…
October 10, 2020
Tanager’s team in India quickly pivoted to provide additional support through their existing programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help India’s smallholder…
October 9, 2020
A team of researchers led by Virginia Tech developed tools using genomic advances that pave the way to new diagnostic tools, disease-resistant soybeans, and…
October 9, 2020
Inequities and lack of support for small-scale farmers often translates to poor food safety outcomes. Growing food that isn’t safe to consume…
October 9, 2020
Biofortified staple crops benefit the food supply chain, from the producers to the consumers — reducing the risk of being compromised by…
October 9, 2020
With recent breakthroughs in scientific research and the spread of technology, Africa’s sweet potato farmers may soon benefit from tools which could…
October 9, 2020
Protecting crops, livelihoods, and food security through agronomic training and technology. Last year, fall armyworm cost Africa’s maize-producing economies approximately…
October 9, 2020
As part of Smithfield Foods’ ongoing commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 25% by 2025, the company continues to advance projects to…
October 9, 2020
New technologies help farmers manage costs through precision applications of crop protection. Artificial intelligence is making waves across industries and sectors, contributing…
October 9, 2020
The Krishi Jyoti project, now in its 12th year, has reached 85 Indian villages and sustainably increased crop yields for smallholder farmers, increasing their…
October 8, 2020
This unique partnership is using data and technology to improve livelihoods of women smallholder dairy farmers and build resilience of local food systems.
October 8, 2020
While COVID-19 has rocked economies and disrupted lives all over the world, it hasn’t done so equally. For smallholder farmers, who farm…
October 2, 2020
Clarke describes Virginia Tech’s collaborative approach to pandemic research in a film launching the 2020 Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report). Published by…
September 15, 2020
In preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit, the Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative will host an event to make the case for productivity growth as a key strategy.
July 8, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
June 23, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
June 23, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
June 9, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
May 27, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
May 19, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
May 14, 2020
During a recent pre-pandemic trip to India, I saw agricultural productivity successes and challenges in action. Sent on behalf of…
May 12, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
May 5, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
April 28, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
April 21, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
April 14, 2020
The productivity and sustainability of our agriculture and food systems are constantly threatened by pandemic outbreaks of disease and pests. The Harvest…
April 7, 2020
As the world hunkers down to combat the spread of COVID-19, our food systems continue to operate. How they operate in these unprecedented times…
November 11, 2019
Join us for a discussion of the 2019 GAP Report, taking place November 19, 2019 at 2 p.m.
November 10, 2019
Join Farm Foundation, the GAP Report, and experts from UN FAO, Sehgal Foundation, and HarvestPlus for a forum at the National Press Club on…
October 16, 2019
In anticipation of the UN Food Systems summit, a publication released today argues that accelerating agricultural productivity growth, especially for small-scale producers, is imperative to the future of agriculture.
October 16, 2019
Published by VPM (NPR), October 16 2019 “A new report just released by Virginia Tech on agricultural production around the world shows a…
October 16, 2019
Published by VT News, October 15, 2019 The 2019 Global Agricultural Productivity Report, “Productivity Growth for Sustainable Diets, and More,” released today…
October 15, 2019
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to sustainable farming. Recognizing this, Bayer teamed up with independent farmers to…
October 15, 2019
Agribusiness is looking for new venues to engage consumers in conversations about the critical importance of agricultural technology for the sustainability, availability, and affordability of the food and agricultural products they enjoy.
October 15, 2019
Last year, around 820 million people went hungry around the globe. Africa is the hot spot, with undernourishment reaching nearly…
October 15, 2019
A rice field is not only for crops: it’s a habitat for North America’s waterfowl population and other at-risk species.
October 15, 2019
Smithfield Foods doesn’t own the farms that produce their animal feed, but they found that…
October 15, 2019
Over half of the world’s food comes from only three crops – maize, rice, and wheat – and…
October 15, 2019
By Stef de Haan, agri-food systems scientist, International Potato Center Nine staple crops account for more than 66 percent of…
October 15, 2019
Mint farmers in India produce 70% of the world’s supply of mint and rely on the crop to provide their households with…
October 15, 2019
Two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiency because they cannot afford a diverse, nourishing diet. This “hidden hunger” makes them vulnerable…
October 15, 2019
The potential to increase Africa’s agricultural yields through strategic data use could position the continents’ farmers at the heart of tomorrow’s global…
October 15, 2019
Wildlife is welcome at Chesapeake Farms. The 3,300-acre wildlife haven on the…
October 15, 2019
Recent developments in the global trading environment are disrupting agricultural markets and trade flows, with potential impacts on the sector’s natural capital…
October 15, 2019
The Imperative for Smallholder Farmers in India Smallholder farmers – those with less than 25 acres – work 90 percent of the…
October 15, 2019
Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest hog and pork producer, found that more than 40 percent of…
September 15, 2019
In preparation for the UN Food Systems Summit, the Global Agricultural Productivity Initiative will host an event to make the case for productivity growth as a key strategy.
August 23, 2019
Save the date for the launch of the Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, happening September 16, 2019.
August 15, 2019
On September 16, 2019, the Virginia Tech College of Agricultural and Life Sciences' Global Programs Office will host Roger Thurow, best-selling author and globally-recognized expert on agriculture and nutrition, for a series of public events as part of its Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Initiative.
May 21, 2019
Ana Bilik, president of Tanager, an ACDI/VOCA affiliated international NGO, writes about their work connecting people in food systems around the world to sustainably end hunger and poverty.
May 3, 2019
Farmers use agricultural technologies, combined with good farm management practices, to reduce risk and improve their productivity.
April 10, 2019
Virginia Tech student Dana Mulligan describes how a trip to Africa inspired her to study agriculture.
March 22, 2019
For farmers that rely on rain for their productivity and survival, harvesting water is as important as harvesting their crop.
March 12, 2019
In the pristine landscapes found in Northern Botswana, commercial agriculture and large medical facilities are absent. Even so, there is widespread antimicrobial resistance across surface waters through both urban and protected land areas. Dr. Kathleen Alexander of Virginia Tech explains.
March 5, 2019
In Uganda, ACDI/VOCA provided goats to women’s groups to increase mothers’ and their children’s access to milk for better nutrition and worked with community leaders and men to help them understand why women needed access to this resource.
February 11, 2019
In 2019, the United Nations designated February 10th as World Pulses Day in recognition of growing global enthusiasm for a remarkable crop that improves the health and productivity of humans, animals and the environment.
February 6, 2019
Dr. Keith Fuglie explains why small-scale farms can have high crop yields, but low Total Factor Productivity.
January 30, 2019
Robin White, assistant professor of animal and poultry sciences at Virginia Tech, explains how increasing productivity and reducing food waste can achieve the nutritional and environmental outcomes described in the EAT-Lancet Report.
December 3, 2018
Published by VT News, December 2, 2021 The Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences — which has long been a leader in…
January 27, 2019
Virginia Tech has been selected to take over the responsibility for producing the Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report).
October 17, 2020
Press coverage of the 2018 GAP Report in Agri-Pulse, Hagstrom Report, DTN News and Feedstuffs.
October 22, 2019
Press coverage of the 2018 GAP Report in Agri-Pulse, Hagstrom Report, DTN News and Feedstuffs.
January 28, 2019
Press coverage of the 2018 GAP Report in Agri-Pulse, Hagstrom Report, DTN News and Feedstuffs.
January 28, 2019
Farmers use the 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices: choosing the right nutrient source to apply at the right rate in the right place at the right time.
January 31, 2019
Prolonged drought has triggered a malnutrition crisis that is devastating the population of Turkana County in northwestern Kenya.
January 28, 2019
Precision agriculture technologies and data analytics boost productivity growth and enable U.S. farmers to sustainably produce food, feed, fiber and biofuel.
January 28, 2019
Crop diseases, pests and drought are significant threats to the food security, nutrition and livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
January 30, 2019
Decades of public agricultural research into animal health, herd management practices and feed grain production has translated into high pork productivity in the U.S.
January 28, 2019
MasAgro is an innovative long-term partnership between farmers, agricultural research centers, national and local governments and the private-sector is helping farmers tap into their potential.
January 28, 2019
India’s dairy producers will need to produce an additional 56 million tons of milk per year by 2026 to meet domestic demand.
