(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - A DuPont advisory committee dedicated to agricultural innovation and productivity recently kicked off a year-long listening tour on an Iowa farm. The committee, chaired by former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, met at the farm of Kurt Lehman in Slater, Iowa, for an hour-long roundtable discussion with farmers. The listening tour will continue around the world, giving committee members the opportunity to understand the challenges and opportunities from a broad set of stakeholders.

Earlier this year, DuPont announced the creation of an advisory committee on Agricultural Innovation & Productivity for the 21st Century. The committee was formed to increase understanding about what policies and tools are needed to meet the world’s increasing demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel.

“This is the time when we must be bold and imaginative in creating better public policy and inventing new business practices,” said Jim Borel, DuPont executive vice president.  “The global challenge is great, and finding solutions will require a new kind of collaboration. I am confident that with this committee's help, we will make a distinct contribution to addressing the challenge.”

Committee members also met with a range of stakeholders including grower associations, a university professor and policy makers in Iowa to gather additional perspectives.

“I look forward to rolling up our sleeves to uncover innovative methods for combating the global strain on food, feed, fiber and fuel,” said Senator Daschle, who represented the state of South Dakota in the U.S. Senate and served as Senate Majority Leader.

The committee met with members of DuPont’s senior leadership, including Jim Borel; Paul Schickler, president – Pioneer; Jim Collins, president – Crop Protection; and Linda Fisher, chief sustainability officer.  Dean Oestreich, former Pioneer chairman, serves as an ex-officio member.  The advisory committee will present recommendations to DuPont next year.