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discover that conflict causes food insecurity—especially
in the many areas
afflicted with these conflicts. Effective
processes of conflict resolution emerge
as an important element in reversing
world hunger and its companion, environmental
destruction.
Tabitha Grace Mallory focuses on
the important topic of global fisheries
as a huge food source. China is the
world’s largest producer of seafood
and provides an excellent case study
in policies relating to near seas, distant
seas and the industry of aquaculture.
The international law and institutional
framework for managing the oceans’
resources emerges as a crucial component
of any strategy for building our
renewable resources from the sea.
In traditional land farming, depletion
of groundwater is a universal concern.
Srinivasan Padmanabhan points
to the destructive cycle of waste in the
way Indian agriculture is supported by
overuse of subsidized and unreliable
SAIS graduate Robert Tetro ’71
captured this image of a
Thai woman transplanting rice.
electricity to pump freshwater at rates
that lead to unsustainable declines in
groundwater levels. The “iron triangle”
of agriculture, water and energy is badly
mismanaged in a system that traps a
large percentage of the rural population
in poverty.
Rising fossil fuel prices are driving
a greater reliance on biofuels. Charles
Pearson discusses how mandates for
biofuels can lead to the double jeopardy
of global warming and reduced food
supply. Although there is no definitive
answer to how much damage is being
done, we know enough to enhance our
agriculture with a much more selective
approach to biofuels policy.
Guy Pfeffermann and Nora Brown
look at the links in the value chain of
agriculture in Africa and their major
impact on the manufacturing, service
and export sectors. With development
aid shifted away from agriculture,
agribusiness offers great opportunities—especially
if a new generation
of agribusiness entrepreneurs and
managers receive the business education
they need.
Michael Plummer and Dalila
Cervantes-Godoy review the economic
literature to demonstrate the centrality
of agricultural development to
growth that, in turn, lessens poverty.
Historically, higher productivity correlates
closely with a greater reduction in
poverty. The transmission mechanisms
include effects both direct and indirect
(economic activity outside the sector).
The goal of food security is best attained
through increased income for the poor
from sources other than agriculture.
In the coming years of this new
century, food geopolitics is poised to
outrank energy politics as a source of
national security concerns. Mariano
Turzi enumerates the demographic
changes that have pushed the world into
a “new age of geopolitical competition,”
as countries whose demand for food
outstrips supply seek other ways to provide
food security to their populations.
Finally, Ruth Wedgwood and Tiffany
Basciano survey the international covenants,
codes and guidelines that apply
human rights criteria to judging foreign
investment in large-scale agriculture,
particularly in Africa. They note that
even where standards are not legally
binding, the “practical cost of disregard”
needs to be calculated.
As I look back on past editions of
SAISPHERE, I congratulate all my colleagues
at SAIS. Each year, the themes
have been well chosen, and together
they have helped us understand the rich
landscape of international relations in
what we still call “the new century.” In
addition, the magazine showcases the
relevance of the SAIS intellectual tradition
through the perspectives of our faculty,
graduates and students. I know of
no other alumni publication that takes
its articles and the care with which they
are presented to the community more
seriously, and SAISPHERE is consistently
recognized as the best in its class.
As we observe the “Year of Agriculture,”
this issue of SAISPHERE is one of
our “fruits”—a colorful and enlightening
gift of our community. I look forward
to future editions and thank you
for your support. n
2011–2012 5