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IN THE NEWS
Nuclear techniques and biotechnologies for food security
FAO Deputy Director-General, James Butler, speaks about the work of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division and the role of the IAEA in food security. The Joint FAO/IAEA Division assists Member Countries of the UN Food and Agricuture Organization (FAO) and IAEA to use nuclear techniques and related biotechnologies for developing improved strategies for sustainable food security. (FAOPhoto: James Butler)
Listen:
James Butler, FAO (Interview recorded on 2008-08-06, Vienna, Austria)
Last May 2008, the Directors-General of WARDA and FAO met in Rome and agreed to collaborate on the development of a Rice Initiative to combat saoring food prices in rice producing countries of Africa. West African countries requesting assistance under the FAO Initiative for Soaring Food Prices in large part signalled a need for support in rice production.
Details with Tom Osborn:
Thomas Osborn, an Agricultural Officer with the FAO’s Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service, recently attended a workshop (9-12 June) at the Africa Rice Center in Cotonou, Benin, aimed at drawing up concrete national action plans.
High food prices could reverse agricultural growth in transition countries
26 June 2008, Innsbruck, Austria -- Soaring food prices could reverse the significant growth in agricultural production recorded by some of the poorest countries in Europe and Central Asia over the past 10 years, said FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf at the opening of the 26th FAO Regional Conference for Europe and Central Asia (26 - 27/06/2008 Innsbruck).
The Conference takes place a few weeks after an FAO Food Summit (3-5 June 2008) called for more investment in agriculture.
FAO Director-General:
In a press conference in Innsbruck, Austria, Mr Diouf, accompanied by Sub-regional Representative for Central and Eastern Europe, Maria Kadlecikova, highlighted FAO’s efforts to raise awareness among policy-makers and the public about actions needed to address these issues, including FAO’s Initiative on Soaring Food Prices:
(Audio & Photo courtesy: Hofherr Communikation- www.hofherr.com)
Niger/EU/FAO: a 4 year-general census of agriculture and livestock comes to an end
23 June, 2008 -- The Government of Niger, the European Union and FAO, this month, conclude a 4 year-general census of agriculture and livestock with a financial support from the EU of about 8 million US Dollars. The results of the census have far reaching policy implications recognised by the Government and Development Partners regarding both agriculture and livestock development policies. (Photo FAO/Ado Yousouf) Mr Naman Keita, FAO Senior Statistician, has been involved in the design and implementation of the Agriculture & Livestock census in Niger (June 2004-June 2008).
1. Main tools: a new methodology and a strong communication component have been tested and proven successful
In the following interview by FAO Radio Unit, he presents the major findings and lessons learned from this unique tripartite exercise.
500 tons of local seeds to reach Mauritanian families
Nouakchott, 18 June, 2008--An FAO press release issued last 13 June, 2008, reported that trucks loaded with more than 500 tonnes of seed were heading from the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott to six regional capitals, marking the beginning of FAO-supported emergency measures in the country forming part of the Organization’s Initiative on Soaring Food Prices (ISFP).
Due to dry spells and then floods last year, what farmers would have produced was largely wiped out in the flood-affected areas. Sorghum, millet, maize and cowpea seeds will need to be planted immediately in order to coincide with the rainy season which normally arrives in June.
The FAO's co-ordinator of this emergency operation in Mauritania is Luca Fornasari. 'It's proceeding as planned', he said in this telephone interview by FAO Radio in Rome:
UN Radio programmes focusing on all the issues related to the World Food Crisis.
This seven weekly episode-series has been broadcast on UN Radio (New York) since June 4th, 2008.
FAO's Senior agronomist Cristina Amaral, and Coordinator of the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices, here, echoes the major consensus of the Rome Summit on Food Security (3-5 June, 2008) about the need to increase investments in agriculture.
(Interview, 11/06/2008, Rome).
1. Urgent to prepare next agricultural season: Immediate and short-term measures
June 11, 2008 -- Ajay Vashee is the 4th generation of Indian immigrants in Zambia. He and his family own a farm in Ndola, at 400 km north of Lusaka, Zambia. As a Zambian rural farmer, he spends the day breeding his dairy cows and controlling his healthy wheat and maize crops from which he would expect good returns.
Ajay's destiny dramatically changed, this month, as he became the first representative of developing countries in 62 year-history to be elected President of the Paris based-International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). From his Zambian farm, Ajay Vashee (IFAP Photo) will continue to make the farmers' voice heard at the World level.
He tells us more in the following telephone interview with Liliane Kambirigi (FAO, Rome):
IFAP is the world farmers organisation representing over 600 million farm families grouped in 115 national organisations in 80 countries. It is a global network in which farmers from industrialised and developing countries exchange concerns and set common priorities. IFAP advocates farmers interests at the international level since 1946 and has General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
5 June 2008, Rome --
1. Concluding Press Conference by FAO Director-General, Mr Jacques Diouf (Photo), flanked by:
- Henri Djombo, Chair Committee of the Whole (Congo), Minister of Forestry and Environment
- Jim Marurai, Prime Minister, Cook Islands
- Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister, Saint Kitts and Nevis
The following is the entire Press conference with statements by the listed personalities, and questions and answers in English and French:
A voice from the Civil Society Forum, during FAO Summit
Ms Maryan RAHMANIAN (Photo), Research Associate, Center for Sustainable Development and Environment, Teheran, took part in the Civil Society Forum. She left Rome with mixed feelings but ready to campaigning again for food security :
5 juin 2008, Rome -- Conférence de presse au centre de Rome: le Président congolais, M. Denis Sassou Nguesso, et Président du comité plénier du Sommet de Rome sur les questions de sécurité alimentaire (3-5 juin 2009): 'la situation nous concerne tous'
(propos recueillis par François Duc Mouckwanguy, Africa No.1, pour la FAO)
Quelques échos de la Conférence de haut niveau de la FAO
Quelles ont été les attentes? Quels sont les espoirs?
Quelques points de vue:
Ndiogou Fall (Photo), Président du Comité exécutif du ROPPA, Réseau des Organisations paysannes de l'Afrique de l'Ouest/membre de l'Alliance internationale contre la faim: 'les décisions sont timides' (propos recueillis par Liliane Kambirigi, FAO, et François D. Mouckwanguy (Africa No.1)
Ernesto Maluf, Président du Conseil national de sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Brésil/Membre de l'Alliance internationale contre la faim: 'j'attendais plus'.
Briefing on the outcome of Roundtable 4 (Bioenergy and Food Security), by an FAO economist and close collaborator of Alexander Mueller, FAO Assistant Director- General, Ms Astrid Agostini
Results of the Civil Society Forum: Antonio Onorati, global focal point for the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty. With others on the podium (Iran, Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka)
Briefing on the outcome of the CSO/NGO Forum Peter Kenmore, Chief Plant Protection Service, together with ROPPA (West Africa) and other NGO/CSO representatives
President of Eastern African Farmers Federation (EAFF)-Kenya, Philip M. Kiriro, says that the current food crisis is affecting their fellow farmers in the region, and this has been exacerbated by lack of commitment from governments. He says that they are trying to come up with solutions to capacitate small farmers in dealing with the situation. He added that it would be better to also get subsidies from governments in the region. Mr Philip Kiriro has also urged delegates at FAO High-Level Conference on World Food to come up with concrete and actionable recommendations to the current food crisis.
4 June 2008, FAO Summit --
Introductions by Chairs and Q&A sessions
1. Briefing on the outcome of Roundtable 1, Hafez Ghanem, FAO Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Department: High food prices, causes, consequences and solutions:
2. Briefing on the outcome of Roundtable 2, Alexander Mueller, FAO Assistant Director-General, Natural Resources Management and Environment Department: Climate change and food security:
Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in Rome
An unprecedented partnership among key players in agricultural development aims to significantly boost food production in Africa’s “breadbasket regions.”
The “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed today by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP) at the FAO High-Level Conference on World Food Security.
Excerpts from a Q&A session -- BBC's Arabic service asked the following:
Voices:
- Mr. Kofi A. Annan, Chairman of the Board of AGRA.
- Josette Sheeran, WFP's Executive Director
- Again, Mr Annan
- FAO's Deputy Director-General, Jim Butler
4 June, 2008, Rome -- In a press conference, UN, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon mentionned the handover to him of a petition of some 300,000 signatures urging world leaders to end hunger in the world.
Ricken Patel, the Executive Director of Avaaz (http://www.avaaz.org/en/), handed over the global food crisis petition.
We met him:
1. Mr Ricken Patel is the Executive Director of Avaaz and believes this conference is a
good framework for action by the international community. He shares his thoughts on the
significant of biofuels in relation to the current food crisis.
Interviewer: Chris Kgadima ((Nkgowa Media, SA)
2. Rev David Beckman is President of Bread for The World and President of the International Alliance Against Hunger in the USA. Rev shares with us some of the steps to fight global hunger
and food crisis with the entire global community during High Level Conference on Food
Security in Rome Italy,
Interviewers: Chris Kgadima (Nkgowa Media)/Liliane Kambirigi (FAO)
3. Alexander Evans is a Non Resident Fellow at the Center On International Cooperation
in New York, USA. Mr Evans believes biofuels have been given much emphasis when it
comes to minimizing the impact of climate change. He says the food security should be
given a priority rather than energy
Interviewer: Chris Kgadima ((Nkgowa Media, SA)
High-Level Conference on World Food Security:
The Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy
FROM THE FLOOR AND ON THE MICROPHONE, WHAT YOU MISSED: in original languages
Rome, 2 juin 2008 -- A high-level meeting on Haiti opened in Rome on the eve of FAO's Summit on World Food Security (Rome, 3-5 June 2008).
In the wake of the “Friends of Haiti” initiative, last April, that enabled the World Food Programme to raise additional US$ 14 million for Haiti, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva considered appropriate to take advantage of the presence of high authorities at FAO Headquarters and gather a High-Level Meeting on Haiti.
1. President Lula, who will address the FAO Summit on 3 June, was represented by his Minister of External Relations for Friends of Haiti, Celso Amorim. He was joined by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Food Agencies and interested donor countries. The outcome was, here, released by Mr Amorim in a press conference at FAO:
2. Haiti, on its part, was represented by Agriculture Minister François Séverin. He welcomed solutions for short, medium and long term actionsfor the development of national agriculture and promotion of food security in Haiti but was keen on expressing his country's specific needs. (below, in French).
2 June, 2008, Rome -- Press Conference at FAO: US Secretary of Agriculture, Ed Schafer, Henrietta Fore (USAID) and US Ambassador to UN in Rome, Mr Gaddi Vasquez:
What can FAO expect from the June Summit's outcome on World Food Security?
3-5 June Summit , in Rome, on food security offers historic chance to address world food challenges.
In the following interview, FAO's Assistant Director-General of the Natural Resources Management and Environment Department and Secretary of the High-Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy, Mr Alexander Müller, gives us an overview of issues on the agenda and what FAO expects from the Summit's outcome.
(Interview by Charmaine Wilkerson, FAO)
Alexander Müller, FAO's Assistant Director-General (Photo)
A South African look at Food Security issues of 3-5 June 08 Summit, Rome
South Africa and other Member countries of SADC will attend the FAO High-Level Conference on World Food Security, to take place in Rome, on 3-5 June 2008.
The main issues of the Conference, that will gather more than 160 countries, namely High food prices, Bioenergy, Climate change and food security, and Transboundary pests and diseases do concern that the people and governments of that part of Africa.
The following is a focus on South Africa (FAO/Nkgowa Media-South Africa co-production). Interviewer: Chris Kgadima
1. The level of food price inflations has not only impacted stable countries like South Africa but the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. SADC Regional Programme Manager for Food Security Programme, Duncan Samikwa shares with us some of their major interventions in dealing with the challenges of climate changes on food insecurity. (Interviewee: Duncan Samikwa (SADC)
2. Food prices and rising fuel costs are gradually impacting South Africa’s food security. With the recent draft on biofuels as another effort to minimize the risk of food security and climate change, independent non -governmental organization Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP) in South Africa say the country has done well by excluding maize in their biofuels strategy. They also believe that the country should be cautious when finalizing its plans and should also invest in secondary generation biofuels. (Interviewee: Josee Kosh (RHVP)
3. South Africa is still in the process of completing the land redistribution to the previously disadvantaged communities. With its neighboring countries such as, Namibia and Zimbabwe also in similar situation, land remains one of the key issue when implementing biofuels. Neil Townsend is the Programme Development Manager for Renewable Energy at Oxfam. He talks about biofuels targets with relation to the impact it will have to the farming community. He also touches on the advantages of biofuels in an attempt to alleviate climate change. (Interviewee: Neil Townsend, Oxfam)
4. Political will is vital in responding to food crisis. South Africa’s Economic Policy Research Institute, Dr Seshi Kanki says the challenges of food crisis could be minimized with introduction of solid social protection systems for the vulnerable community. He says South Africa has done well in developing social protection system that has benefited the community particularly in rural areas often affected by food insecurity. He also gives their view on the recent attacks of foreigners seeking refugee in South Africa because of high migration rate to big cities which was somehow caused. (Interviewee: Dr Seshi Kanki)
5. South Africa’s Wits University Research Group on Vulnerability Adaptation Mitigation Planning believes there should be an extensive research before we could all blame climate change on impact of food security. Professor Colleen Vogel says the emphasis should also focus on current climate variability and its impact on people. Prof Vogel believes we should educate rural and commercial farmers about these challenges and find out where extension workers are working well. She says there are also opportunities that come with challenges of biofuels and climate change.
Interviewee: Professor Colleen Vogel (Wits University REVAMP)
Leading up to June Summit on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy (Rome, June 3 to 5, 2008)
Last 18 May, 2008, ECOWAS Council of Ministers adopted an FAO inspired-Seed Law Harmonization. The Law will allow West African countries to improve their seed legislation and policy both at national and sub-regional levels, in addition to broadening the area's seed market. Details with Dr. Robert Gouantoueu GUEI, a Rome based-FAO Agricultural Officer specialized in Seed Resources:
26 May 2008, Rome -- Leading up to June Summit on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy (Rome, June 3 to 5, 2008: Focus on rice
In recent months, rice has been at the centre of the public attention, after strong increases in prices were reported throughout much of the world. More than 3 billion people, that is more than 50% of the world population, depend on rice for their daily lives. Therefore FAO attached importance to sustainable intensification of rice production for Food Security.
1. Vietnamese-born Dr. Nguu Nguyen is FAO's Executive Secretary for the International Rice Commission. Apart from being an agricultural expert in rice production, Nguu eats rice twice a day or more, he said in the following 3 part-interview by Liliane Kambirigi, at FAO.
2. On the African continent, FAO is involved in the dissemination of NERICA rice and Improved Rice Production Systems through fruitful cooperation agreements with the Africa Rice Center, WARDA, and the government of Japan. In 2006, in Uganda, Japan funded a 1.3 million US dollars worth-project to assist resource poor and small farmers in 8 districts in the 4 regions of Uganda in the adoption of NERICA and improved rice technologies to increase rice production. Details with Nguu Nguyen:
3. In order to slow down the increase in rice price, support from international communities as well as national government will be needed to support rice production. Immediately the provision of good seeds of the existing hybrid rice, NERICA rice and high-yielding rice varieties as well as adequate fertilizers will be required for increasing rice production for food security. Dr. Nguyen explains:
26 may 2008, Rome -- Slowing forest depletion in Malawi
Leading up to June Summit on World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy (Rome, June 3 to 5, 2008)
Conserving and replacing forest cover in the face of climate change is a greater challenge than ever in Malawi, where most people use primarily wood and charcoal for energy. Many rural farmers, especially women, cannot survive without selling wood for income.
(For FAO) Charmaine Wilkerson has this report from Malawi.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division is working with farmers and government officials to slow the depletion of trees.
Prices of most basic food commodities are declining but...
Abdolreza Abbassian, FAO Economist and Secretary of the Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Grains, here, released the major findings of the latest FAO's Food Outlook. "Despite a favourable global production outlook, the expected price decline in many basic agricultural commodities during the new 2008/2009 season is likely to be limited", he said.
29 April 2008, Bern, Switzerland - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that he will lead a high-powered task force to coordinate the efforts of the United Nations system in addressing the global crisis arising from the surge in food prices.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has proposed an emergency initiative to provide low-income countries with the seeds and inputs to boost production and is calling for $1.7 billion in funding.
Listen: UN Radio's Bissera Kostova reports:
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre), flanked by Jacques Diouf (left), Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization and Robert Zellick, President of the World Bank, addresses a press conference on the current global food crisis. (UN Photo/Mark Garten)
WFP and FAO raise funds to intervene in world food crisis
As prices of basic foods continue to rise, the UN food agencies are concerned that up to 100 million people may be at risk of starvation. The World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization are both raising extra funds to help developing countries cope with the crisis.
20–25 April 2008, Accra, Ghana-Twelfth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII)
The crisis sparked by rising food prices is one of the issues which preoccupied participants in the session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development held in Accra, Ghana (20–25 April 2008). UN Radio's Donn Bobb was there and filed this report from Accra central market and the Conference Hall:
World rice production is expected to increase in 2008 by 12 million tons, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The first FAO forecast of the year says that production increases, which amount to almost two percent, would ease the current very tight supply in key rice producing countries, such as Bangladesh, China and India. Production outlook is also positive in Africa countries such as Egypt, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. At the same time, demand outstrips supply in the international rice market and prices are increasing. (FAO Photo: Rice growers, Burundi)
Ms. Concepción Calpe, UN/FAO Secretary of the Intergovernmental Group on Rice, says both consumers and producers can benefit. Reporting for UN Radio, Gerry Adams:
Peace & Development: World Harmony Run's European leg starts in Rome
Rome, Thursday, 27 March 2008 -- As a special initiative to promote the 2008 World Food Day/TeleFood theme, "World Food Security and the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy", FAO Headquarters in Rome hosted the inaugural ceremony for the start of the 21st edition of the European World Harmony Run.
FAO Deputy Director-General James Butler, on behalf of FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, lighted the World Harmony Run Torch. In a symbolic gesture, he relayed it to two of the 'World's Friends of the Run' namely FAO Goodwill Ambassador Gina Lollobrigida and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Kenyan marathon woman Tegla Loroupe.
Global Forest Resources Assessment 2010 (FRA 2010) is starting now
Like the last assessment (FRA 2005) FRA 2010 will provide a comprehensive picture of the extent of forests and other wooded land, their condition, management and uses; this time covering all the seven thematic elements of sustainable forest management.
Moreover, FRA 2010 is designed to cover the forest-related information needs for monitoring progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Objectives on Forests of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the Millennium Development Goals. We met some of them from Nepal, Namibia, Fidji, the Russian Federation and Saint-Lucia.
We met some of them from Nepal, Namibia, Fidji, the Russian Federation and Saint-Lucia.
1. In Nepal, there is a need to create new data to improve Community-based forest development. Mr Pem Kandel, Planning Officer, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation:
2. In Namibia, gender-balanced manpower in forestry assessment expertise will have to be addressed.
Ms Ndapanda Kanime, Forestry Officer, Directorate of Forestry:
3. In Fidji, the country will draw lessons from FRA 2005 and do better for FRA 2010.
Mr Samuela Lagataki, Acting Deputy Consult, Department of Forests:
4. In the Russian Federation, with FRA 2010, the country will experience a new and better performing inventory system.
Andrey Filipchuk, Director, International Center of Forests:
5. Like Saint-Lucia, Small Island States deserve greater attention in FRA 2010.
Michael Andrew, Chief Forestry Officer, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries:
How will we need to change the way we live in order to cope with changes to our climate?
The regular use of renewable energy is one of the answers. Possibilities for alternative energy sources, including solar power, wind power, geothermal, water power and even nuclear energy. Iceland is determined to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 50 to 75 per cent by 2050 and become carbon neutral, notably by harnessing renewable energy sources such as geothermal heat (photo).
Iceland's Minister for the Environment Mrs Thorunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, visited FAO Headquarters on 10 March 2008 at the invitation of the Gender, Equity, and Rural Employment Division. In an interview with FAO's Liliane Kambirigi, she had this to say:
2. The debate about biofuels and food prices: Iceland wants to strengthen cooperation with Rome-based food agencies for their know-how in support of small farmers.
3. Emphasis on helping the most vulnerable and most likely-to-be-affected communities by addressing gender equity and the rights of indigenous people in the Arctic region.
Rome -- Last 10 March 2007, Minister for the Environment of Iceland Mrs Thorunn Sveinbjarnardóttir visited FAO Headquarters at the invitation of the Gender, Equity, and Rural Employment Division. During a ceremony marking the celebration of the International Women's Day, the Iceland's Minister and FAO officials, including Deputy Director-General Mr James Butler and Ms Marcela Villarreal, Director of the Gender Division, exchanged views with three Rome based-International schools. The discussion, also attended by IFAD's Assistant President Jessie R. Mabutas and Ms Tana de Zulueta Member of Italian Chamber of Deputies, focused on understanding the impacts of climate change, how men and women farmers will differently be affected by climate change and how they can contribute to adapting to its effects.
