Telum Talks To... Duke Hipp, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, CropLife Asia
Interview

Telum Talks To... Duke Hipp, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, CropLife Asia

Telum spoke with Duke Hipp from CropLife Asia in Singapore about his thoughts on communications in the agriculture industry and food security.

You've worked in multiple industries throughout your career. Can you tell us some of the key differences in communicating your strategies in agriculture to other industries?
I feel very fortunate to work in the food and agriculture sector and specifically the plant science industry at this moment in history. There’s growing interest and awareness around how our food is grown and a societal expectation that the food we eat is safe, nutritious and sustainably produced.

At the same time, we’re also experiencing unprecedented threats to food security in Asia and around the world by way of the global pandemic, the increasing effects of climate change, and continuing conflict in Europe. The role of agricultural technologies like plant science is increasingly critical to food system resilience and mitigating the impact of food supply chain disruption.

From a personal career perspective, having the very unique opportunity to communicate about these game-changing innovations and advocate stakeholders regarding the benefits they deliver with regional food security and sustainability is something that continues to inspire me.

Given these threats to food security, how does CropLife Asia help to advocate food security not only to farmers but government and consumers?
First, you’re absolutely right, we’re living through a time of crisis. Most critically, our world is collectively in the midst of a devastating food security crisis. Climate change continued conflict in Europe, and the aftereffects of COVID-19 have had a devastating impact on crop production and food systems around the world. You could make a pretty good case that Asia is ground zero when it comes to the food security crisis.

According to the most recent United Nations’ data, the number of hungry people in Asia rose in 2021 from 418 million to 425 million. That means Asia has the dubious distinction of leading the world when it comes to the number of people affected by hunger.

At CropLife Asia, we work with governments, civil society, and other food value chain stakeholders around the region to ensure Asia’s farmers are enabled and empowered to produce more food using fewer natural resources and with less impact on the world around us. That includes the responsible use of plant science innovations that help drive a food supply that’s safe, secure and sustainable.

How do you bridge the gap between those involved in agriculture and science and those who are far removed from the farm and the lab?
In the wake of the current food security crisis, there’s certainly a greater public awareness around the importance of supporting our farmers we depend on for the safe and nutritious food we all need. As we also transition to an increasingly post-pandemic world, there’s similarly a heightened appreciation for the role science and technology play in addressing big societal challenges.

Given these realities, the gap isn’t as wide as it once was. However, it’s still crucially important to ensure the voices of our farmers who depend on new innovations and the scientists who develop them are heard and part of the policymaking process.

What are some common misconceptions about agriculture that you’d like people to better understand?
I’m not sure if it’s a misconception, but the most unique and often overlooked aspect of agriculture in Asia is that it wouldn’t be possible if not for our region’s smallholder farmers. Asia is home to the smallest-sized farms and the largest number of smallholders (farms with fewer than two hectares of land) in the world. Roughly 100 million of these smallholders are right here in Southeast Asia.

For the most part, these growers are using very traditional and frankly primitive tools and approaches in comparison to many of their counterparts in other parts of the world. Enabling and empowering these farmers to realise higher productivity with less impact on the environment is central to helping address the rise of hunger and malnutrition in our region - and drive sustainability at the same time.
 

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