At the start of summer, I asked our loyal readers to come up with a new name for GAFSP – the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program at the World Bank. Something that rolled off the lips a little easier and didn’t sound like the speaker was sneezing, but still captured the essence of its mission to promote food security and agriculture productivity.A few weeks ago, we compiled your suggestions and put it to e-ballot. As a refresher, the nominees were:
- REAP – Resources for Enhanced Agricultural Productivity
- GRAIN – Global Resources for Agriculture and Insecurity of Nutrition
- FAST – Fund for Agricultural Security and Transformation
- SNAP – Secure Nutrition and Agriculture Program
We got write-ins too. GAFSI (Global Agriculture and Food Security Initiative) and SAFE (Secure Agriculture and Food Enterprise) are good additions to the list. We also received a plea to maintain GAFSP.Now the thing about acronyms is that they are rarely perfect. More often than not, a key concept is omitted in order to come up with a collection of initials that spells a catchy and meaningful word. Our CGD president, Nancy Birdsall, argued that REAP was totally inadequate because it left out the food security aspect with an almost exclusive focus on agriculture.So while Nancy is stranded in hurricane-ravaged Vermont, let me announce that REAP won with 38% of the vote. Really. She is in Vermont, but unfortunately I won’t be able to slip this by her since Irene was not good enough to knock out her power. And so she’ll also soon learn that the nomination of REAP came from within CGD.But the good news is that we are awarding the coveted CGD mug and first row seat at a CGD event to our second place winner – David Godfrey – who came up with GRAIN. GRAIN garnered 27% of votes.Thanks to everyone for participating and having a little fun during the August doldrums. Now remember, it’s REAP from here on out. Or REAPS if we want to add in the food security aspect. Either way, no one will offer you a tissue when you mention that other name.
