One Billion Hungry

In this book, one of the world's foremost experts on global food needs explains the many interrelated issues critical to our global food supply from the science of agricultural advances to the politics of food security.

Sir Gordon Conway is Professor of International Development at Imperial College, London. He is the author of The Doubly Green Revolution: Food for All in the Twenty-First Century (also from Cornell) and coauthor of Science and Innovation for Development. Rajiv Shah is the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

We all want to end hunger. Conway's book provides the roadmap for how to do it.. Conway provides clear (if lengthy) guidelines for what to do and how to do it. His is a voice of optimism, and he speaks convincinglty and authoritatively when addressing the promise of agricultural science in this endeavor.

Bhaskar Vira:

The existence of one billion hungry people, despite sufficient production to meet contemporary consumption needs, is a stark (and shameful) reminder of the complexity of these issues, and of the inadequacy of current thinking. Conway's text lays out, in careful detail, the many dimensions that need to be considered in trying to answer these questions, and starts to provide a future vision for a food-secure world that is both equitable and environmentally sustainable. This is a masterful survey of the landscape, and is essential reading for anyone hoping to understand these issues, and to engage in informed discussion about alternative options for global food security.

M.S. Coyne:

The author is notably, and refreshingly, open to any approach that solves world hunger as long as it meets site-specific needs, particularly at the farm scale. He appreciates the multidisciplinary nature of addressing world hunger, painting his topics in broad strokes—not superficially, but appropriately scaled so that average readers can understand trends and concepts outside their own discipline or experience. From a classroom perspective the individual chapters provide a superb launch point for more in-depth discussion. Summing Up: Highly recommended.

Jeff Waage:

In 350 information-packed pages, Conway systematically builds an answer to the book's title question. His answer is 'a qualified yes'.. This is the first 21st Century manual on how to feed the world. There may not be time to wait for another edition, so I recommend reading it now.

Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (1996–2007):

We will not have a fair and secure world until we overcome the global challenge of feeding our ever-increasing population. Gordon Conway's insightful book addresses the complex issues of achieving global food and nutrition security.

Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, CEO and Head of Diplomatic Mission, FANRPAN (Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network):

Sadly, the majority of the one billion hungry are smallholder farmers faced with limited opportunities to improve their livelihoods. This book promotes access to technology and, in partnership with the hungry, links evidence to policy and action.

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation:

In One Billion Hungry, Gordon Conway lays out the formidable challenges we face in feeding the world by 2050 and reminds us why we have reason to be optimistic. History shows that we can reduce hunger and poverty, but to make a lasting difference we will need to help smallholder farmers sustainably increase their productivity.

Akinwumi Adesina, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria:

Gordon Conway has set out a bold but doable agenda for meeting the food challenges the world faces. The brilliant and practical insights expounded in this book will help drive a sustainable green revolution in Africa.

Calestous Juma, Harvard Kennedy School:

One Billion Hungry is an excellent source of evidence-based proposals on how to feed the world in a sustainable manner. It is an antidote for pessimism and will go a long way in inspiring the global community to act in time. The book is as inspirational as it is pragmatic.