Biotech Updates

Cornell Alliance Launches New Campaign to Support Agri Innovations in Developing Nations

September 27, 2017

The Cornell Alliance for Science is launching a "$10M-by-2020" campaign seeded with a $6.4 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Funds raised during the campaign will support the Alliance's global efforts to ensure broad access to agricultural innovation, especially among small-holder farmers in developing nations.

"Many of the most promising innovations have been developed in the public sector with a mission to improve the livelihoods of small-holder farmers," said Dr. Sarah Evanega, director of the Alliance for Science at Cornell University. "All farmers should be able to choose whether to adopt these improved seeds and crops."

The Alliance was founded in 2014 with a $5.6 million grant from the Gates Foundation. It has since grown into a progressive international network that has trained nearly 400 science advocates representing 35 nations. They work in their home countries to communicate more effectively about science and champion evidence-based agricultural policies.

For information, contact Joan Conrow at jc2436@cornell.edu.