GMOs could help end hunger in Africa: Gates

Jan 29, 2016

Microsoft co-founder spoke at the World Economic Forum

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Bill Gates continues to build his case for GMOs.

Speaking with the Wall Street Journal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 25, Bill and Melinda Gates showed support for GMO technology and its potential impacts in some of the world’s most impoverished areas.

“There’s fantastic technology going on for pest-resistant seeds, for drought-resistant seeds (and) flood-resistant seeds as the rains come at different times,” Mrs. Gates said during the interview.

Mrs. Gates said that as farmers in Africa see neighbors using those products and their results, others may be inclined to use them. She said higher yields provide people with more to eat and more that can be sold on local markets to help the economy.

Mr. Gates said the technology involved with GMOs can not only help farmers produce more as they battle climate change, but can also help the community be healthier.

“I think for Africa this is going to make a huge difference particularly as they face climate change,” he said. It reduces the amount of pesticide you need, raises productivity (and) can help with malnutrition by getting vitamin fortification.”

Video: Environmental Effects on Sow Fertility - Dr. Isabela Bez

In this special episode celebrating International Women's Day of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, we bring Dr. Isabela Bez, a veterinarian and PhD student in Brazil, who explains how temperature and light regimes influence sow reproductive performance. She discusses seasonal infertility, climate adaptation, and why environmental monitoring inside barns is critical for herd efficiency. The episode highlights practical management strategies to reduce reproductive losses and improve outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms. "Environmental factors are actually very important on sow reproduction, and sometimes these are the factors that producers tend to not pay attention." Meet the guest: Dr. Isabela Bez / isabela-cristina-cola%c3%a7o-bez-1753381b0 is a veterinarian and PhD student in Animal Science at Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Brazil. Her work focuses on swine reproduction, nutrition, and animal welfare, with strong expertise in environmental effects on sow performance. She collaborates with international farms and research groups to improve reproductive efficiency through applied science.