Chicago Conversations - Chicago - Sustainability in Agribusiness and Food Production

Thursday, May 21, 2015UTC -05:00


CME Group Headquarters
20 S Wacker Dr Fl 2
Chicago, IL 60606
United States

Chicago Conversations—straight to the heart of the matter. In true Booth style, we actively seek the brightest thinkers, the most accomplished practitioners—innovators of every persuasion—and engage them in the cities where their industries thrive. Private equity in Mumbai. Technology in Seattle. Social enterprise in San Francisco.

Wherever the players are, is where you’ll find us. Looking at industry-specific topics and challenges through the lens of Chicago-style thinking is guaranteed to make for a lively, engaging, insightful conversation. A Chicago Conversation.

Sustainability in Agribusiness and Food Production

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has estimated that, based on current consumption patterns, food production needs to increase by 60 percent to 70 percent by 2050 to feed the global population, though more than 50 percent of the world’s prime or good land is already being used for crop production. A focus on more sustainable practices—at the corporate and consumer levels—will be necessary to meet global food demand. Issues in the current system include: heavy water consumption (agriculture accounts for 80 percent of US water use, says the USDA), supply chain inefficiency, consumer food waste, overnutrition/obesity, and growing livestock demand.

What does sustainability mean in agriculture and food production, and what are the best management practices? How are for-profit businesses employing sustainable practices, and what are their bottom-line incentives to do so? What can be done to influence changes in consumer behavior? 

Join us for a discussion with a diverse panel of Chicago Booth alumni and industry leaders, who will share their expertise and perspective on the current environment and future outlook on sustainability in the agriculture and food production industries.

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