Opinion

A time for action
Jacques Diouf (*)

Agriculture and the security of the world’s food supply are today facing pressing challenges, ranging from rapid population growth to global warming. How we address these challenges will have a tremendous impact in shaping our future. This situation demands an integrated and comprehensive response with sustainable strategies that take into consideration the implications for the most vulnerable populations and global food security.

The environment is not immune to the growth of the agricultural sector, as demonstrated by the reduction of forest areas. Climate change affects agriculture and livelihoods in general in a way unheard of a few decades ago. The trend of using agricultural commodities to produce bio-fuels appeared with the promise of mitigating climate change and meeting increased demand for energy, but at the same time has brought uncertainty because of its possible adverse impacts on food security. There are 862 million hungry people in the world, of which 52 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean. And this number could increase as a result of rising food prices.

Agricultural and food security policies need to be revisited to respond to these new challenges. And it is at this critical time, characterized by several structural changes, that the thirtieth FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean will be held, from 14 to 18 April, 2008, in Brasilia.

Rising food prices can increase hunger in the world, but there are also millions of small farmers and rural households who may benefit from this situation if the right conditions exist. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) estimates that 36 million indigent people, a little over half of Latin America’s total, live in rural areas. If we manage to help these families produce better and more, both for their own consumption and for sale at local markets, we have a chance to save millions of people from hunger and extreme poverty.

High agricultural commodity prices, if properly transferred to farmers, should increase supply and spur investment incentives. However, to take advantage of the opportunities offered, consistent and sustained policy interventions and investments are required in rural infrastructure, human capital and other public goods.

As the Brazilian social scientist Betinho used to say: the hungry are in a hurry. Combining immediate actions with medium and long term programs will permit us to advance in overcoming poverty and hunger. The time to act is now, and we need an integrated effort to confront the increasingly complex challenges we face.

Recently, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that we have the tools and technologies needed to overcome hunger and that, to do it, we need political will and well-invested resources. The Secretary General’s remark echoes FAO’s vision and the conclusions of the World Food Summit of 2002. We are confident that, together – governments, international agencies, civil society and private companies – we can better tackle those challenges.

Bio-energy offers a chance to promote development in certain poor countries. However, this promise can only be realized if the right decisions are made and the appropriate policies implemented to ensure food security, notably for the poor and hungry. In this context, the world urgently needs an international strategy on bio-energy that takes into consideration the needs of the poorest countries and the most vulnerable populations. A major step in this direction is the High Level Conference on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bio-energy, to be hosted by FAO from 3 to 5 June, 2008. The event, to be attended by a number of Heads of State and Government, will, among other issues, work towards the establishment of policies, strategies and programmes to ensure sustainable agriculture, rural development and world food security.

In its last World Development Report, the World Bank speaks of a “new agriculture”. FAO, as a centre of excellence in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and natural resources, is looking ahead to the new challenges and opportunities. With the active involvement of our member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, we can give strong impetus and unmatched effort to the global fight against hunger and poverty.

The author is Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

FAO, with 191 Member States, one Member Organization and one Associate Member, aims to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts - to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
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