International experts say agricultural programs will need to feed eight billion people on earth by the year 2030.
Retired U.S. AID Policy Advisor John Becker says that need means universities have a unique opportunity to collaborate on successful programs into the future.
"Food security is not the only issue. There's a tradeoff with feedstocks, a very high proportion of our corn crop is actually for renewable energy sources. So the challenges are increasing."
Becker says feeding the hungry is not the sole purpose of agencies like U.S. AID, rather it's building partnerships with communities, educators, and industries to make sure there is a multi-functional approach to developing an area.
Becker spoke as a guest of SIU's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute today in Carbondale.
