Gates Foundation Accused of Exerting Too Much Power in World Agriculture

October 13, 2008

Gates Foundation Accused of Exerting Too Much Power in World Agriculture

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plays a very significant role in supporting agricultural efforts in the developing world, but some critics contend that the grant maker holds too much power, reports The New York Times.

The foundation seeks to make agricultural markets work better. Working with the Rockefeller Foundation, the Gates fund has given $264-million to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, and also $100-million to the Program for Africa’s Seed Systems, which seeks to develop seeds and establish a network of retail agricultural dealers to market them.

Not everyone welcomes the large-scale efforts of the Gates foundation.

Raj Patel, author of Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System, said it is not entirely clear what the fund is doing and that it lacks accountability. He said, “It seemed so up in the air. And of course while a public institution would have to be clear, they do not, and it’s hard not to feel that what we’re seeing is a foundation playing God in Africa.”

Gates foundation officials deny advancing a particular agenda. Mark Suzman, the foundation’s global development and advocacy director, said, “One of our goals is to get donors to rethink their commitment to agriculture in Africa — and African governments as well.”

(Read The Chronicle’s interview with the head of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.)

Comments

Seems to me trying to influence the Gates Foundation via outside criticism, or imposing non-productive thinking and speculating what may or may not happen – is not helpful to solving the world’s food supply needs. It is obvious Bill and Melinda Gates do not nickel and dime problems – they rather study, evaluate issues then put forth funding to create tangible problem solving results. Bill and Melinda are very creative people with a success track record behind them; They have every right to explore. I appreciate the Gates Foundation credibility and result focus agenda. Seems to me criticism of their goals and objective is not in the best interest of accountability, result focus non-profit management.

— Lupe Anguiano Oct 13, 03:16 PM #
Lupe raises interesting issues. When does analyzing the Foundation’s actions cross the line into fruitless negative criticism? When does exploring problems conflict with solving them? Can results-based nonprofit management get in the way of creating accountability? Join the conversation with Gates Keepers. http://gateskeepers.civiblog.org/blog/_archives/2008/10/12/3926772.html

GKs

— Gates Keepers Oct 14, 08:17 AM #

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