Global food security at stake: FAO

NI Wire

New Delhi

Thu, 10 Apr 2008: 

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of United Nation showing concern of the rising food prices and its impact on poors of developing countries has warned world community to opt for urgent measures in increasing food production and cited a greater role of agro-industries to have ample food sto to feed the ever-growing world population.

While addressing the first Global Agro Industries Forum, the FAO Director General Jacques Diouf said that the rising food prices, which is almost 45% in the last nine months, doesn’t seem to be a short term problem considering the current demand-supply ratio and moreover at present the world only has 4 -5 million tons of cereals stock that can only meet a maximum of 12-weeks demand.

Mr. Diouf too mentioned the increasing demand of food in developing countries like China and India where people spend almost 50-60 percent income in food and hence any rise of food price or shortage of production can have direct impact on poors. Though Indian Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar expressed his confidence on India’s food stock but the present rise in prices has been a concern for people.

The rising income level of people in China and India too contributed to the demand and less production of due to various factors such as drought, flood, and other climatic adversaries further exacerbated the demand-supply cycle. FAO also terms the increased demand for biofuels production and the higher cost of energy and transport are other driving factors to surge in food prices.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also asked world community to bring structural changes. The President of FAO, Diouf also quoted as saying “it is essential to increase production by raising productivity level of crops and also investment in rural areas and better water management”.

Stressing the importance of Agro-industry Dr Diouf said: “It is essential to increase agricultural investment in water control and infrastructure and to facilitate small farmer access to inputs, so they can raise their productivity.” He also referred the need of effective marketing and processing systems for agricultural products.

Jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in close collaboration with the Government of India, the Global Agro-Industries Forum, is being held from April 8-11 has been attended by representatives of both government and private sectors from 120 countries.