Week 7 - BioBusiness Revolution 2

This week we had another interesting session focusing on the BioBusiness Revolution. We also discussed the effects of urbanisation on agriculture and how one-fourth of the world's population, which is rural and agricultural,  would support the remaining three-fourth that resides in the towns and cities of this fragile planet.


I found it highly interesting to learn about the need to protect intellectual property when Prof Shahi gave the example of the dilemma the firm he was working with to set up a Vaccine Institute faced when embarking on its initiatives. An important conclusion was reached after looking at different cases where research facilities had chosen either to make their intellectual property available for free or to hold on to patents and charge for it's licensing. The conclusion reached was that, in order for a business to remain sustainable and resilient in the long run, it was in its greater good to charge for its intellectual property and plough back money into itself to further improve research and actually continue to make a difference in the world.


It was eye-opening to learn about Norman Borlaug, the unsung hero of the Green Revolution. He spearheaded the research and introduction of resilient, hybrid crops that gave far higher yields and resisted disease. His amazing work saved Mexico, India and China from predicted doom and billions of people from starvation. I find it surprising and disappointing that I hadn't heard of him before. At the same time, I am glad that I now have and that I have given the appreciation he deserves. I strongly believe that such unsung heroes must be given the popularity, appreciation and adulation they deserve. We people can often be very shallow, especially when giving due credit to those who matter. We choose to glorify mere celebrities and, at the same time, forget and ignore the profound achievements of people who actually make a difference in the world! So here's my shot-out to Mr. Borlaug: "Sir, I am deeply grateful!!"


An intriguing notion put across by a reviewer of Prof Shahi's work on the BioBusiness in Asia, was that educated farmers of the future "with specialised knowledge and skills across a wide range of disciplinary areas" should be more appropriately described as "farmists". This highlighted the need for farmers to become  semi-scientists in order to take agriculture to the next level and meet the rapidly growing demand of food whilst utilising lesser and lesser fertile land. Also mentioned, was the idea that the potential for growth in the agriculture market is immense as agriculture is transformed from a Valley Opportunity to a Summit Opportunity.


We debated on the use of genetically modified foods; I personally feel that without them we will have little hope of feeding a world population of around 10 billion people in years to come. The only issue I have with GM foods is that they should be free from harmful side-effects and should be compatible with our bodies. We also discussed about how waste management and the capitalisation of the value of waste, such as the use of biomass energy, was essential to the survival and sustainability of this planet.  


Lastly, I enjoyed the round of grabbing presentations we had at the end of the lesson. I'd give this session a 9.