The 2011 Norman Borlaug Lecture dedicates the life long efforts of Norman Borlaug. Dr. Pedro Sanchez presented the lecture to a large group of students and faculty members who were interested in world food problems. Dr. Sanchez discussed the major food related problems that are currently taking place in Africa . Approximately 90 percent of Africa ’s population is suffering from malnutrition. Advances have been made in areas of Africa were the problems were the worst. Governments have begun to offer subsidies to farmers so they can afford fertilizer and better seed. With those improvements, yields have doubled or tripled in certain areas. Local farmers now have up to a 50 percent surplus of grain compared to a few years ago when they were 25 percent less then what was needed for proper nutrition.
As an agronomy major I was pleased to see that very simple agronomic practices were making such big difference. This is a huge step in the right direction for the people of Africa and the people of the world. Growing good food will help raise people out of poverty and develop the less developed villages.
During my life time most areas of Africa have been in poverty. Much of the country still is in severe poverty but I was unaware of the practices that were being implemented to grow more food and lower the poverty. Applying simple agronomy to areas of Africa is a new idea for me. Africa isn’t all desert and there is good soil if it is fertilized properly.
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