Food riots in Haiti. Soaring inflation in India and government hard put to check the runway prices of agricultural commodities. Elsewhere in the world, governments are taking emergency measures to put in place a foolproof food security mechanism.
The world is facing an unprecedented food shortage and soaring prices. In some countries prices of edible oils threaten to breach the retail prices of petroleum products. Long queues seen in the major rice exporting country, Philippines, to buy rationed out rice. What is the world coming to?
Climate change, low productivity in per hectare yield of grains and cereals, drought in some parts of the world as in Australia, extreme cold weather in China, shift of some of the cash rich crops to cultivation of more lucrative bio fuels in the wake of search for alternate fuels against sky rocketing crude oil prices are some of the causes that have hit world food production and consequent soaring prices.
Economic prosperity in Asian economies such as China, India and Southeast Asia has brought about changes in dietary habits with people shifting to rice, wheat, meat and milk considered the food of the rich, generating great pressures.
200 countries to meet in Rome
The world never had it so bad on the agricultural front. Concerned over this, leaders of some 200 countries will meet in Rome, early June, to take stock of the rising food shortage, soaring prices of agricultural commodities and outline measures to resolve them. Haiti food riots have sent alarm signals threatening world peace. The Rome meeting takes place under the auspices of three major agencies of the United Nations led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
"This is an emergency meeting and we expect all the leaders of industrialised and developing nations to meet at Rome under the banner of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to discuss measures to alleviate world food shortage and thereby remove rising hunger and poverty," said Dr Jacques Diouf, FAO director general, while talking to newsmen on the eve of the three day UN conference on Global Agro Industries Forum held recently in Delhi.
"World food prices have jumped by as much as 45 per cent in the last nine months. There is a serious worldwide shortage of rice, wheat and maize. Food riots have already started in Haiti. This could spread to other countries of the world unless urgent measures are taken. And that's why we are convening this emergency session," he said.
The Summit is being supported by the United Nation's Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
 Looming food shortage predicted in November
Diouf recalled that he had foreseen food riots as early as November last year considering the looming food shortage then and he had talked about this in his interview to the French newspaper Le Monde. He said he had also shared concerns over world food shortage with Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh when he met him in December last year in New Delhi while discussing measures to combat avian flu.
A combination of factors, including reduced production due to climate change, historically low levels of stocks (rice and wheat stock worldwide is estimated at only 12 weeks), higher consumption of meat and milk in emerging economies, increased demand for the bio fuels production and higher cost of energy and transport have led to surges in food prices.
Severe winter conditions in China and the drought in Australia have also been major contributors for high food prices.
Diouf did not think steps such as banning export of rice as in India were bad reactions to the world food shortage or rising prices. They are natural reaction for any country to protect one's own situation and ensure food security, he said.
But at a global level, FAO would be interested in a larger scenario of food security for the entire world and would want participating countries and government to cooperate in whatever agenda of action the Rome summit brings about.
One of the most important steps that FAO would recommend to member governments, particularly the developed, would be to restore the increased funding to the UN under the food category under the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), which has come down drastically over the years. "ODA for food has come down to 6 per cent from 30 per cent due to wrong policies being pursued."
We would like to ensure that farmers worldwide have easier access to affordable seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural equipment and other inputs, Dr Diouf said. He regretted that some of the developed countries were granting huge agricultural subsidies to farmers in their own countries thus restricting market access for trade for developing countries. This is what has made trade negotiations under the WTO tough and the Doha round has been contentious not reaching a consensus or conclusion.
Climate change will impose great stress
UNIDO's Director General Dr Kandeh Yumkellah, who was also in Delhi, said climate change would impose great stresses on the world's ability to feed an ever-growing population. This challenge brings new threats to arable land areas, livestock rearing and fisheries through droughts, water shortages and pollution of land, air and sea. "It is, after all, agricultural and livestock production that provide the raw materials that are basic to human existence - especially food," Yumkellah observed.
“Trends show India and China are growing very fast with their economies expanding at the rate of 8 to 10 per cent. I wish all countries grow at the same rate. But this prosperity is bringing in shift in patterns of food consumption, “Diouf said.
In India, urban and rural prosperity has led to a greater consumption of wheat and rice, the shift being from bajra and maize.
 The challenge is also an opportunity
The President of IFAD, Dr Lennart Bage, who was also in Delhi in connection with GAIF conference, said urgent steps were needed to prevent an escalation of hunger and malnutrition facing developing countries in the wake of climate change and soaring food prices. Bage noted that the current food price and climate crises pose dangers but they also offer opportunities for increased investment in agriculture and rural development.
"Our experience has shown that even the poorest farmers readily seize opportunities to build better and more secure lives for their families," he said.
According to Diouf, 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 stressed the importance of effective marketing and processing systems for agricultural products.
Agro Industry helps preserve foodstuffs, add value and reduce post harvest losses. It enables products to travel longer distances including to rapidly expanding cities. Agro Industry generates demand for agricultural products and holds vast potential for off farm rural employment. It also adds significant value to farm production, whether domestic or export markets.
The GAIF attracted over 500 participants from 120 countries. Both government and private sectors are represented and there were also participants from NGOs and farmer organizations.
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