Land O'Lakes CEO Addresses "Results-Driven" Approach to International Development

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Land O'Lakes, Inc., President and CEO Chris Policinski discussed the importance of a results-driven approach to international development during remarks at the Symposium on Global Agriculture and Food Security, held today in Washington, D.C.  

Policinski said a results-driven approach offers the best path toward "commercially viable, economically sustainable food and agriculture systems in the developing world."

Policinski was among a prestigious group of speakers and panelists that included, among others:

• Bill Gates, Co-chair, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Rajiv Shah, Administrator, the U.S. Agency for International Development
• Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
• Lael Brainard, Undersecretary of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Treasury
• Namanga Ngongi, President, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

During his remarks at the event, hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Policinski stressed the importance of international development both in terms of business growth and prosperity in the U.S., and the worldwide impact of food security on economic prosperity and political stability.  

"We live and do business in an interconnected world," Policinski said.  "Ultimately, our futures are tied to the health of the global economy – and we're only as strong as the weakest link.  That's why it's so important to support international development."

That support, however, must be justified with meaningful, measurable results, he added.  

"We have an obligation to ensure that the funds spent on international development deliver measurable value and lead to commercially viable, economically sustainable food and agriculture systems that will make a long-term difference," he said.  

Policinski noted the symposium presented an important opportunity to look back at "what has worked," and he discussed key lessons Land O'Lakes has learned during its 30-year involvement in international development.  Since 1981, the Land O'Lakes International Development Division has implemented more than 260 development projects in 77 developing nations, impacting the lives of 20 million people.

"Key lessons" noted by Policinski included:

• The importance of partnerships: Public-private partnerships involving business, the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, local investors and farmers can be a significant multiplier – helping to optimize results.
• Scale matters, but bigger isn't always better: Good projects come in all shapes and sizes. Often projects need to be of a large enough size and scope to make a meaningful impacts. But relatively simple projects can also make important contributions – and test new concepts to see what will work on a larger scale.
• Proof of performance is essential: In business and in international development, results matter. Delivering objective, measurable data that demonstrates the economic viability and sustainable impact of international development projects is vital to securing continued support for these efforts – whether that support comes from government agencies, non-government organizations or private business.

"One additional lesson we've learned is that food security very often begins with individual farmers," Policinski said. "That's why I'm so supportive of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's new project to support small famers in the developing world. These family farmers often need only a small investment to become more self-sufficient and play a critical role in alleviating hunger and poverty." 

Land O'Lakes, Inc. (www.landolakesinc.com) is a national, farmer-owned food and agricultural cooperative.  It is the nation's second-largest cooperative and number 218 on the Fortune 500, with 2010 sales of more than $11 billion.  Land O'Lakes does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. It is a leading marketer of a full line of dairy-based consumer, foodservice and food ingredient products across the United States; serves its international customers with a variety of food and animal feed ingredients; and provides farmers and ranchers with an extensive line of agricultural supplies (feed, seed, and crop protection products) and services. Land O'Lakes also provides agricultural assistance and technical training in more than 25 developing nations.

See Tweets from the event posted by Steven Krikava, Director of Government Relations, on the Land O'Lakes, Inc., web site (Members > Issues and Actions), and follow coverage on the Land O'Lakes, Inc., corporate Facebook page.

SOURCE Land O'Lakes, Inc.