What will tomorrow’s companies look like? What impact, if any, will innovation blowback have? PSDBlog’s Michael Jarvis points to a new effort, called Tomorrow’s Global Company, that attempts to arrive at some answers:

Now, a UK-based think tank, Tomorrow’s Company, has teamed with leading firms to launch an inquiry addressing core questions on the future role of business in society. Co-chaired by BP and Infosys and with experts such as John Elkington on the inquiry team it should spark some interesting debate. Will business really take on global challenges? Do you think the framing questions are even the right ones? In a welcome step, the inquiry is asking you to share your views here.

Sadly, there’s nothing explicit in the four questions about business and poverty. That said, the four are broad enough to warrant inclusion here, and to warrant some of your attention. The discussion closes September 15, so chime in soon.

Today, the Asia Times published an interesting piece on Nazmi Ilicali, a farmer in Eastern Turkey who has made organic agriculture the centerpiece in the fight against rural poverty. Mr. Ilicali’s efforts have gained him international attention and just last year he was honored by the prestigious Ashoka Entrepreneur Trust. Below I have provided some of the most interesting excerpts from the article:

Why organic agriculture?

He explains why, ironically, the poverty of this area makes it perfect for starting organic farming projects: "The earth in this area is especially suitable, because the local population is so poor that for years they have been unable to afford chemical fertilizers. The climate is good for organic agriculture, too. The frost and cold here even kill the eggs laid in the earth by insects, and because of that there is no need for pesticides - we have a totally chemical-free soil."

This post was written by Vincent Ricasio, a retired investment banker currently working on microfranchising and other community development strategies at New York University. Contact Vincent using the comment field below to discuss his Community Based Enterprise Development concept.

Is it really possible that poverty and underdevelopment, two of the most intractable economic and social problems of our time, can be solved simply by doing more of the same, that is, by throwing money and aid at the problems that underlie them? Most development experts have long conceded that it cannot, but just as sincerely most of them have admitted that they do not really know what else will work.