|
 |
|
|
By
Laurie Burstein
This month St. Louis is the global stage for the World Agriculture
Forum 2007 World Congress where more than 300 world leaders
will meet to discuss and debate agricultural solutions to address
shortages of food, fiber and water in both developed and developing
countries. This 5th Congress, held every other year, takes place
May 8th through the 10th at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.
The World Congress is one of the largest forums of leaders in
agriculture and is sponsored by the St. Louis-based World Agricultural
Forum (WAF) which began here in 1997 by founder Dr. Leonard
Guarraia, chairman and CEO of the organization. “Creating Prosperity
through Investments in Agriculture,” is this year’s theme and
focuses on many areas including water conservation, bioenergy,
trade reform and infrastructure.
“This year’s World Congress center’s on how agriculture is the
foundation for creating prosperity,” Dr. Guarraia says. “The
most senior leaders in agriculture will be in St. Louis to identify
and drive solutions through collaboration, ultimately enabling
even poorer countries to become economic players.”
Dr. Guarraria continued, “A significant topic we will discuss
important to everyone around the world is water conservation.
In the next 10 to 15 years, 65 percent of the world’s population
will be in water-short countries. There are a number of affordable,
basic technologies that we can help bring to these countries
that will allow for water production and conservation.”
On hosting the world’s agricultural leaders in the heart of
the Midwest, Dr. Guarraria sees the St. Louis region as an ideal
location. “Fifty-four percent of the total U.S. agriculture
production occurs within 500 miles of St. Louis. It’s very appropriate
that agriculture leaders from all over the world will meet here
since St. Louis is the ag capital of the U.S.”
Current WAF President Ray Cesca says this Congress will address
many hot issues including, “How do we revolutionize and recast
our system to meet the needs for food, fuel and fiber?” Cesca
had a distinguished career with the McDonald’s Corporation before
becoming the WAF president in 2006.
Cesca explains that representatives from every continent and
countries across the board will convene in St. Louis for this
Congress. There is a large group from Central and South America
this year, he added.
But a real key, Cesca says, is putting the ideas that come out
of the Congress into action. “We will have four breakout sessions
with action plans developed from each area. These plans will
be published and distributed. By bringing the right people together,
we can come up with practical applications and then deliver
these key concepts to local markets to be implemented,” he says.
Looking ahead to the next World Congress, Cesca says Africa
will be the location of the 2008 Congress. “It is very exciting
to hold our first Congress in Africa in 2008. We will really
be able to target the needs of that country and concentrate
on reducing poverty and increasing quality of food and life.”
The WAF recently received two prestigious grants. The first,
from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is a $100,000 grant to help
members of the WAF develop solutions to meet the growing needs
for food, fuel and fiber by strengthening the effectiveness
of its Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Advisory Council.
The second is from the Gates Foundation, where the WAF received
a $250,000 grant to help expand the reach of the Forum by allowing
the WAF to gather both public and private sector agricultural
experts from around the globe.
The WAF has an impressive advisory board that includes top international
players. Opening remarks at this year’s Congress will be made
by advisory board member and past WAF president, James B. Bolger,
ONZ, three-time Prime Minister of New Zealand and the former
ambassador from New Zealand to the U.S.
Brett Begemann, executive vice president of international/commercial
at Monsanto, is another advisory board member since 2003. He
says the 2007 Congress is a great opportunity to share perspectives
across many issues.
“One of the most important and very timely topics to be discussed
at the World Congress is bioenergy,” Begemann says. “With the rapidly
building interest around the world using grains, sugar cane
and oilseeds for energy, there are many issues of mutual interest
across the participants in agriculture from production, transportation,
policy and trade.”
Begemann adds, “The World Agriculture Forum provides the St.
Louis region with an opportunity to be associated with one of
the most robust and global industries in the world: agriculture.
The world needs everyone to participate in this exciting field
to meet the growing demands.”
On the mission of the World Congress and the World Agriculture
Forum, Cesca says, “We have a vision to empower agriculture
to give all countries the tools to feed every man, women and
child. We hope to act as a catalyst to give them the tools to
accomplish this.”
|
Novus
International Inc.
Global Leader in Animal Health and Nutrition
|
Thad
Simons, president and CEO of Novus International Inc. describes
the company mission in part as helping to feed the world
more efficiently and affordably through its nutrition and
health solutions for animal feed producers around the globe.
“Novus is working to provide solutions and programs for
animal health and nutrition,” Simons says. “Our goal is
to help our customers grow their animals through healthy
and sustainable ways with a minimal impact on the environment.”
With world headquarters in St. Louis, Novus sells its products
in more than 80 countries. The company employs 300 people
worldwide, with 100 employees in St. Louis. Last year sales
topped $500 million. Novus was spun off from Monsanto in
1991 where Simmons had worked since 1984.
Today the company sells more than 60 products including
feed supplements and organic trace minerals to improve the
health of animals. Novus counts major poultry producers
such as Pilgrims Pride and Tyson as customers, as well as
beef, dairy, swine, and feed producers.
Novus’ research facility at the Missouri Research Park in
St. Charles houses a group of experts in animal nutrition,
biology, histology, chemistry, veterinary medicine and other
scientific disciplines. One example of their work is the
recent test that is having an impact on the global poultry
industry. This test determines the amount of trace minerals
in an individual bird and helps producers manage their stocks
more effectively.
Simons is involved in the World Agriculture Forum and has
been on the board for the past six years. He is looking
forward to the May World Congress that brings together thought
leaders to discuss important issues he says.
“The World Ag Forum really brings the whole world together
and then provides strong outreach around the world,” Simons
says.
He continued, “One area we will concentrate on is how to
further develop local markets. We really need to focus on
how to bring together food aid with technology and education
to rural areas throughout the world.”
Novus has several outreach programs of its own and Simons
points to an education program that his company has with
China. This international scholarship program brings students
from China to study at Novus’ research facility in St. Charles.
“This scholarship program with China is part of our corporate
social responsibility,” Simons says. “By studying at our
research facility, students gain hands-on experience and
then apply what they learned back in China.” |
|
|
|
|
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
