Bill Gates, a self-proclaimed "devoted reader" of Vaclav Smil's academic works, eagerly anticipates the release of his favorite author's new book, "How to Feed the World." Published on Tuesday, the book promises to reshape perceptions about hunger and food consumption. Gates, who has read nearly all of Smil's works, compares his anticipation for new releases to fans awaiting the next "Star Wars" movie installment.
The Microsoft co-founder wasted no time in sharing his enthusiasm. On Tuesday, Gates published a blog post highlighting the importance of Smil's latest work. He followed up with an Instagram post on Wednesday, describing how the book "will transform the way you think about hunger, food, and what we eat (and don't)." The book delves into potential solutions to world hunger, offering insights into food storage improvements, packaging innovations, supply chain efficiencies, and pricing model optimizations.
Current statistics underscore the significance of these issues. According to the United Nations, roughly one-third of all produced food goes unconsumed. Despite producing approximately 3,000 calories per person daily—sufficient to feed everyone—inefficiencies still lead to substantial losses. A 2022 McKinsey report reveals that $600 billion worth of food is lost annually during or after harvest.
Gates' interest in Smil's work aligns closely with the mission of the Gates Foundation, which prioritizes ending world hunger. Smil's book challenges conventional approaches by reframing hunger with data-driven insights. Gates notes that "like all of Vaclav's best books, it challenges readers to think differently about a problem we thought we understood."