Jack A. Bobo, senior advisor for biotechnology with the U.S. Department of State, will present a lecture on global food security issues at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct.14, at Morningside College.

Jack A. Bobo, senior advisor for biotechnology with the U.S. Department of State, will present a lecture on global food security issues at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct.14, at Morningside College.

Bobo’s lecture is titled “Can Agriculture Save the Planet Before It Destroys It?” and will focus on the challenges of creating a sustainable agricultural system as the world population grows from seven billion to nine billion over the next 40 years. The lecture, which is open to the public, will take place in UPS Auditorium located in Morningside’s Lincoln Center, 3627 Peters Ave.

Bobo is the senior advisor for biotechnology in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.  He works on trade policy, food security, climate change, and development issues related to agricultural science and technology, including agricultural biotechnology.  In addition, Bobo is responsible for developing and implementing U.S. trade policy related to new agricultural technologies and working with foreign governments to address regulatory barriers to U.S. agricultural exports.

Bobo will be in Iowa to attend the World Food Prize’s 2014 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines Oct. 15 through 17.  Each year, the World Food Prize brings experts from around the world to Iowa to discuss agriculture and global development issues.

The World Food Prize was created in 1986 to recognize the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. The prize was conceived by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, an Iowa native and recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in world agriculture.  In 1990, Des Moines businessman and philanthropist John Ruan assumed sponsorship of the prize and established The World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines.