The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Gates announces research funding for agriculture
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced funding for innovative agricultural research in Edinburgh.
Mr Gates joined International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt for an event with staff and students at Edinburgh University.
The Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation has funded research into improving livestock health.
Meanwhile the UK Government has announced funding for crop research and innovation, alongside a boost for scientific research into livestock genetics.
The investments are aimed at helping to lift people in developing countries out of hunger and poverty.
The Gates Foundation is providing $40 million over five years for the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVMED), a public-private partnership which develops livestock vaccines, medicines and diagnostics and makes them accessible and affordable to millions of the poorest smallholder farmers across Africa and South Asia.
Mr Gates said: “In short, if you care about the poor, you should care about
“In short, if you care about the poor, you should care about agriculture. BILL GATES
agriculture. And if you care about agriculture, you should care about livestock.
“What that means in this context is helping poor farmers get as much as possible out of their animals.”
The UK Government is to provide £90 million over three years to international research organisation CGIAR.
The cash will be used to help fund research into the creation of “supercrops” which are more nutritious and disease resistant.
Ms Mordaunt said: “Unpredictable flooding, plant diseases and drought are threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of farmers in Africa who struggle to grow enough crops to put food on the table – the urgency of the task is clear.
“That’s why UK aid is supporting British scientists to develop new crops that are more productive, more nutritious and more resistant to droughts and flooding, as well as creating new medicines to protect cattle and poultry from devastating disease.”
Ms Mordaunt also announced a £4m boost for the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, which is based in both Edinburgh and Nairobi.