World Food Security, the crisis

Recognizing that the region poses a special problem, the United Nations, in September 2007, launched a new high-level international development initiative, the Millennium Development Goal [MDG] Africa Steering Group, to help put Africa back on track towards achieving the MDGs. Along with the African Union, FAO will provide leadership in the Steering Group, which includes UN agencies and other major international and regional organizations, on issues relating to agriculture and food security. In the Rome Declaration on World Food Security, adopted at the World Food Summit in 1996, Member States set themselves the goal of reducing the number of hungry to half the level of 1990–1992 by the year 2015. Four years later, goal number one of the Millennium Development Goals became that of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by the year 2015. In order to achieve their goals, States adopted at the World Food Summit a Plan of Action containing commitments and objectives. One of these, Objective 7.4, is to clarify the content of the right to adequate food . . . as a means of achieving food security for all’.
[The Rome Declaration on Food security is available for download on the site http://www.te-cs.com]

Efforts to reduce hunger in Africa have been hampered by natural and human-induced disasters, including conflicts and the spread of HIV/AIDS. And while economic growth in a number of African countries has been impressive over the last few years, the evidence is that growth alone, in the absence of specific measures to combat hunger, may leave a large number of people behind, particularly in rural areas.

Unprecedented economic growth in China and India and in emerging economies has had profound repercussions on the international scene. South-South trade has created new markets for products, goods and services from developing countries and a surge in foreign direct investment to Africa, which reached a record $38 billion in 2006, albeit a paltry sum for agriculture. Increased demand for commodities in emerging economies has recently fuelled, in part, a sharp increase in food prices. This has implications for the food security of the poor. Food- and energy-importing countries in particular have to cope with the double burden of much more costly food and oil imports. But we should not forget that higher prices can also offer a chance of increased income for farmers and could result in significant longer-term reduction in poverty and hunger which is not actually the case in Kenya and most of the African or third world countries! But that objective can only be achieved if we promptly address water, infrastructure and trade priorities.

The former UN Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, stated The world now produces enough food to feed its population. The problem is not simply technical. It is a political and social problem. It is a problem of access to food supplies, of distribution and of entitlement. Above all it is a problem of political will.’ In his speech the former UN Secretary-General, not only indicates that we have issues regarding food and equitable distribution of resources but also its entitlement which is very crucial. Most governments have refused to sign the declaration as pertains food rights but generally term it as Food security and nutrition which does not actually state clearly that it is a right of any individual of any country to access clean, decent food and from the government! The right to food is contained in a large number of constitutions, and international as well as national case law is developing. Some countries organized national seminars to raise awareness about the right and to discuss ways of implementing it. A few states are considering the enactment of special food security laws. In October 2002 the FAO Council established an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) with the mandate to develop a set of voluntary guidelines to support Member Nations’ efforts to achieve the progressive realization of the right to adequate food in the context of national food security. It is a worry that most of the policies are dictated to the third world countries from the developed countries hence they do not have the say in what goes on in their food policies as individuals. It is also selfish for any government not to sign a food rights declaration and total responsibility for its citizens.

Liz Young, a senior lecturer in geography at Staffordshire University, in her book on World Hunger, identi?es some key ideas (p. 168). Changes at all levels are required to eliminate hunger. This includes changes in the way we understand (and perceive) the problem and the ideologies that perpetuate inequalities. Food security and sustainable development are inextricably linked. Empowerment of disadvantaged groups is vital to the elimination of hunger, and for this innovative policies are necessary. And increase in food production alone will not solve the problem of world hunger. Increasing and securing peoples access to food are also required. Therefore the need to put in place proper infrastructure not only for the purposes of increasing food accessibility by the people but also reducing the cost of its transportation consequently its shelf price.

We need to understand that for development to occur, we need agriculture therefore we cannot sideline it in any way and say we will be developed without it. It is a process and we have to follow it every step of the way in order to achieve positively. Overall, achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is still feasible in the next seven years, as long as we are prepared to forsake narrow self-interest, redouble our efforts and take full advantage of the new opportunities offered to us. FAO, for its part, in close collaboration with the World Food Program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and other UN agencies, and in partnership with the private sector and other public institutions and non-governmental organizations, remains, more than ever, committed to that momentous task.