Gates Foundation global development official to speak at U of M March 23

Prabhu Pingali will outline “A Bold Vision for Feeding the World: The Future of Global Agricultural Development” in a speech webcast to students at the University of Western Cape in South Africa

Related Stories
Agronomy / Food Science
In a bowl of breakfast cereal, principles of attraction on display - 16.05
Strong standards for school snacks increase lunches and revenue - 16.05
Stanford-led research pushes back origins of agriculture in China by 12,000 years - 02.05 Stanford-led research pushes back origins of agriculture in China by 12,000 year
Federal food assistance program encourages healthy beverage purchasesFederal food assistance program encourages healthy beverage purchases - 29.04
Obesity policy strategies win national competition - 26.03
Related Stories
Environmental Sciences
Invasive Crazy Ants Are Displacing Fire Ants, Researchers Find - 16.05 Invasive Crazy Ants Are Displacing Fire Ants, Researchers Find
UC San Diego Energy Leader to Help Develop Sustainable Resources on the Island of Lana’i - 16.05
Q&A: Steven Chu on returning to Stanford, his time as U.S. Energy Secretary - 15.05
Helping forests gain ground on climate change - 15.05 Helping forests gain ground on climate change

Who: Prabhu Pingali, deputy director of Global Development, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
When: 8 to 9:15 a.m. Friday, March 23
Where: Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis

Prabhu Pingali, deputy director of Global Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will speak at the University of Minnesota at 8 a.m. Friday, March 23, outlining “A Bold Vision for Feeding the World: The Future of Global Agricultural Development.”

The presentation is open to the public and will be webcast to students at the University of Western Cape in South Africa, a partner to the University of Minnesota’s Interdisciplinary Center for Students and faculty in both locations will have the opportunity to ask questions of Pingali at the forum following his remarks.

Pingali has nearly 30 years of experience in assessing the extent and impact of technological change on agriculture in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He has held a number of prestigious positions in his field, including director of the Agricultural and Development Economics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the United Nations.

He has written or co-written nine books and more than 90 journal articles and chapters focusing on technological advances and environmental and agricultural policy.

A webcast will be provided at www.livestream.com/umntv , and Pingali’s presentation will be recorded for future viewing.

Pingali’s presentation is being hosted by the university’s Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

The public presentation is part of a two-day visit to the University of Minnesota by Pingali and other officials from the Gates Foundation, UN FAO and private sector, to learn more about the U of M’s commitment to help sustainably feed the planet.

Pingali will meet with leading researchers in sustainable agriculture, public policy and climate change and discuss the university’s data and technology tools for reducing hunger in the developing world. He will also meet with the university’s private sector partners in the global food industry.

In addition to the public speech, Pingali is available for individual s. Media wishing s may request a 30-minute slot during the following times:

Thursday, March 22: 11 a.m. to 12 noon
Friday, March 23: 7 to 8 a.m.


  • © 2009-2012 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
  • The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer
  • Last modified on March 20, 2012