Sustainable Development

The Issue

The successful achievement of long-term food security relies on the ability to generate economic and agricultural growth in a sustainable way while preserving and protecting limited natural resources. Sustainable agricultural development has the potential to improve livelihoods, lift people out of poverty, and advance human health and nutrition. It also can fuel greater self-sufficiency and serve as the foundation for increased political and economic stability in fragile states.

Our View

Cargill believes that all people should have access to a sufficient supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food—and that governments, the private sector, academia and civil society must work together to helps smallholder farmers fulfill their growing role in feeding a hungry world in a sustainable way.

We understand that achieving sustainable development in order to improve food security  and poverty alleviation will require the public and private sectors to come together to address a complex and interconnected set of issues related to agriculture, the environment, energy, government policy and trade. Cargill is committed to drawing on its broad presence across the agricultural supply chain to collect and share beneficial insights, and to uncover new ways to advance sustainable development, reduce environmental impacts and make better use of natural resources.

Cargill supports sustainable agricultural development policies that drive farmer prosperity through training and practical support, improved market access, land tenure, and access to finance and risk management.

We also believe governments must support open, rules-based trade so food surpluses can reach areas of deficit. We also encourage the global harmonization of food standards to ensure safety and transparency, and to help food move efficiently.

Cargill believes it is essential to increase global food production through greater investments in agricultural science, education and extension—especially in developing countries—as well as through investments in physical infrastructure critical to agriculture, such as transportation, storage and distribution infrastructure.