The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s involvement in international agricultural research has spurred both cheers and concerns, Business Daily reports.
Since announcing its involvement in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research in December 2009, the foundation has disbursed up to USD270 million in funds for agricultural research institutions such as the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico.
“The response to this massive injection of additional funding for agricultural research and development has ranged from delight at the possibilities for solving world food problems, to concern that the foundation’s agenda will open the doors of Africa to agribusiness at the expense of the needs of the poor,” Business Daily said.
