Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development to Launch at the Frontiers in Development Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development will be held during the Frontiers in Development Forum at Georgetown University.  The Grand Challenge is a multi-year initiative focused on increasing food security and driving economic growth in the developing world through effective and affordable energy solutions for farmers. USAID has been joined in these efforts by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Duke Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).  Through the Powering Agriculture Energy Grand Challenge, USAID and its partners invite innovators to help find the clean energy solutions that will empower farmers and help transform agriculture in developing countries.

WHEN:  

June 12^th at 4:20 p.m.

WHERE:

Gaston Hall, Georgetown University
Washington, DC

WHO:

• Raj Shah (USAID Administrator)
• Gunilla Carlsson (Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation)
• Kathleen Merrigan (Deputy Secretary USDA) - invited
• Kathleen Rogers (President Earth Day Network)
• David Mohler (Chief Technology Officer Duke Energy)
• John Morton (Vice President, Office of Investment Policy OPIC)
• Frank Sesno (Director, GW School of Media and Public Affairs; Creator and Host, Planet Forward)

Information on the Powering Agriculture Energy Grand Challenge can be found at www.PoweringAg.org

The full program for the Frontiers in Development Forum can be found at http://frontiers.usaid.gov/

 Interested media will need to be credentialed before the event.  For more information, please contact Kamyl Bazbaz at kbazbaz@usaid.gov or 202-712-5174.