Food Security in Focus

Achieving food security for developing countries is an essential component of eradicating poverty. The cycle of hunger and poverty will not be easily broken, and has only been exacerbated in recent years by external shocks like the global food crisis and the current economic crisis.

Over a billion people a day go hungry as a result of these crises. The recent L'Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI), however, with commitments of $20 billion from the G8 and other donors, represents a real opportunity to reverse this trend. The G20 in Pittsburgh, with leadership from the U.S., reiterated the L'Aquila principles. The challenge now is to turn these principles into actions.

To maintain the momentum to achieve global food security we are advocating the following:

• Operationalize the L'Aquila Food Security Initiative, in coordination with other efforts like the U.S. Food Security Initiative and the African-led CAADP process
• Donors should provide clarity on the $20 billion pledged as part of the L'Aquila Food Security Initiative and expand participation to additional donors
• Ensure that the implementation of the pledged agriculture assistance is coordinated and comprehensive

Now is the time to build this momentum post-G8 and G20. World Food Day will be held on October 16^th, and there are several meetings of the Rome institutions in October and November to discuss how to ensure that the increased donor interest helps develop and support developing country-led policies and programs that meet the needs of their people.

Evidence of the dangers of food insecurity continues to appear, especially from the African continent. Kenya is facing severe food shortages after unsuccessful harvests, erratic rains, and drought. Uganda and Ethiopia are also facing severe food shortages, and floods in Senegal have destroyed many crops. The effects of climate change are also evident, with rains becoming less predictable, much to the dismay of local farmers.

The global focus on increasing agricultural productivity and bolstering food security threatens to be a mere moment, unless the commitments that have been made in the past few months are upheld, clarified, and operationalized.