When we think of the future of food, transformative technology, or game-changing innovations, we assume that advancements will arise out of traditional tech hubs in the Global North. This isn’t necessarily true. The Global South holds tremendous potential and competitions like the XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion — discussed in the previous episode — are proving exactly that. With multiple semi-finalists from APAC and South Asia, it’s clear that innovative solutions can come from anyone, anywhere..
In this episode of Feeding 10 Billion, we’re joined by Bernhard Kowatsch, who champions this notion through his work at the Innovation Accelerator at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). As head of the accelerator, Bernhard is on a mission to identify, support, and scale startups working towards eradicating hunger and his work is closely aligned with our Mission for Smart Protein. Join our host, Varun Deshpande, and listen to Bernhard deftly join the dots between climate change, poverty, hunger, and nutrition.
Resources for further reading:
The World Food Programme’s Nobel Peace Prize: What does hunger have to do with peace?
(https://www.wfp.org/nobel-laureate#:~:text=This%20year%2C%20WFP%20was%20awarded,as%20a%20weapon%20of%20war%22.)
XPRIZE Feed the Next Billion and the competition’s semifinalists
(https://www.xprize.org/prizes/feedthenextbillion)
(https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2021/07/14/XPRIZE-unveils-semi-finalists-in-15m-global-Feed-the-Next-Billion-competition)
The importance of innovation in fighting world hunger
(https://innovation.wfp.org/blog/forbes-how-innovation-helping-fight-global-hunger)
How innovation can emerge from resource-constrained markets
(https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21420357/kenya-mobile-banking-unbanked-cellphone-money)
How smart protein can create leapfrog economics
(https://www.forbes.com/sites/charlesrtaylor/2019/08/29/one-womans-quest-to-help-africa-leapfrog-to-plant-based-foods/?sh=622b67634fc4)
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