Ronald Herring

Ronald Herring has established himself as a preeminent authority on agricultural political economy and biotechnology policy through his role as Professor of Government and International Professor of Agriculture and Rural Development at Cornell University, where he has taught since 1991. His groundbreaking research focuses on the intersection of agricultural policy, farmer interests, and biotechnology, particularly in South Asia. His academic contributions include the award-winning book "Land to the Tiller: The Political Economy of Agrarian Reform in South Asia" and his editorship of "The Oxford Handbook of Food, Politics and Society" (2015). Herring's expertise on GM crops, particularly his extensive research on Bt cotton in India, has made him a leading voice in debates about agricultural biotechnology and development. His work examines how farmers respond to new agricultural technologies, the political dynamics of GM crop adoption, and the complex relationship between scientific innovation and rural development. At Cornell, he has served in numerous leadership positions, including Director of the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, Chair of the Department of Government, and Director of the South Asia Program. His current work includes a forthcoming book "Suicide Seeds and Silver Bullets," continuing his investigation into the social and political dimensions of agricultural biotechnology