HIGH-LEVEL TASK FORCE ON THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS. COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION
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English
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Given the immediate consequences of the food price crisis, especially for vulnerable groups, countries have already mobilized resources to provide additional food assistance and other safety nets, assist farmers to maintain and boost productivity in the next growing seasons, and begin implementing policy reforms to improve access to food and agricultural inputs. In many countries, the members of the High-Level Task Force (HLTF), regional development banks, bilateral agencies, local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement have been supporting these efforts.
As set out by the CEB (Chief Executives Board), the aim of the HLTF was to create a prioritized plan of action for addressing the current crisis and coordinate its implementation. The Comprehensive Framework for Action (CFA) responds to this request.
How biofuel policies are deepening poverty and accelerating climate change
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English
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Policy paper by Oxfam, June 2008.
Biofuels are presented in rich countries as a solution to two crises: the climate crisis and the oil crisis. But they may not be a solution to either, and instead are contributing to a third: the current food crisis.
Meanwhile the danger is that they allow rich-country governments to avoid difficult but urgent decisions about how to reduce consumption of oil, while offering new avenues to continue expensive support to agriculture at the cost of taxpayers. In the meantime, the most serious costs of these policies – deepening poverty and hunger, environmental degradation, and accelerating climate change – are being ‘dumped’ on developing countries.
Food and Fuel Prices—Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, and Policy Responses
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English
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Prepared by the Fiscal Affairs, Policy Development and Review, and Research Departments, Internation Monetary Fund (IMF), June 2008.
This report provides a first broad assessment of the impact of the surge in food and fuel prices on the balance of payments, budgets, prices, and poverty of a large sample of countries. It reviews countries’ macroeconomic policy responses to date and also discusses Fund advice for managing the price increases. Policies should (i) ensure that food and finance reaches the most affected countries as quickly as possible, (ii) include targeted and scaled-up social measures, and (iii) avoid high costs in terms of macroeconomic instability or loss in future agricultural production. Collaborating with international partners, the Fund also stands ready to provide balance of payments assistance. As the paper presents an initial assessment of a still-evolving situation, the somewhat tentative nature of the analysis should be borne in mind.
Last week’s FAO Food Summit has come and gone. What is there to show after three days of intensive discussion? Very little – the citizens of Rome can again travel freely around their city without being held up by visiting dignitaries travelling between airport, hotel and the FAO, or their wives (almost all visiting dignitaries are male) travelling to and fro between these hotels and via Condotti. But for the poor of the world? By Christopher L. Gilbert
Farmers do not reap benefits of rising food prices
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English
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A new study has found that farmers do not reap benefits of rising food prices, as there is no rise in the price they receive.
According to a report in the Chicago Journal, the study was conducted on the commodity coffee market in Uganda, where it was found that when prices rise, coffee windfalls don't fully reach the growers.
Coffee is the world's largest agricultural commodity, and is also one of the world's most volatile. Large global coffee price fluctuations mean coffee has seen many periods of rapidly increasing prices.
But the research shows that when global coffee prices rise, farmers do not see the same rise in the price they receive.
Have Recent Increases in International Cereal Prices Been Transmitted to Domestic Economies? The experience in seven large Asian countries
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English
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International cereal prices (in US dollar terms) have been increasing since 2003, but it is domestic prices that affect food consumption and production. The paper analyzes, for seven large Asian countries, the extent to which domestic prices have increased since 2003 and presents several conclusions.
Soaring food grain prices in recent months have caused serious concern around the world. In Asia the estimated 1.2 billion poor people who spend on average 60% of their income on food have been hit hard. Food price inflation severely stresses the most vulnerable groups. High and rising food prices are threatening to reverse the gains in poverty reduction in the Asia and Pacific region, undermining the global fight against poverty. If high food prices persist, the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015 could be jeopardized.
This paper explains why food prices are rising and how ADB is responding to this crisis.
Analyse critique des causes de la flambée des prix agricoles mondiaux
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English
Description
La présente note vise à clarifier et hiérarchiser les causes essentielles de la flambée récente des prix agricoles et alimentaires telles que diffusées par les médias, voire les économistes. Elle ne revient pas par contre sur les émeutes de la faim bien documentées ni sur les aspects agronomiques et environnementaux liés notamment à la production de biocarburants. On commencera par classer les causes essentielles de cette flambée des prix agricoles, flambée que l'on mesurera ensuite pour les principaux produits avant de faire l'analyse des causes par produit puis d'identifier la responsabilité des principaux pays – Etats-Unis (EU), UE, Chine, Inde, Brésil – et celle de la spéculation financière. On se centrera principalement sur les céréales et oléagineux, sachant que la hausse de ces constituants de l'alimentation animale s'est répercutée sur les prix des viandes et produits laitiers.
Economics of Biofuel Production in the Pacific Northwest
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English
Description
PointPoint presentation by Prof Young, Washington State University, USA. Please access the file using the link (copy and paste the link below in your internet browser)
http://www.web2fordev.net/fileadmin/user_upload/fsn/docs/Young_01_Economics_of_Biofuel_Production_in_the_Pacific_Northwest_fst1.ppt
As the file is heavy (10 Mb), please contact fsn-moderator@fao.org if you have difficulty downloading/reading the file.
Food Prices and Inflation in Developing Asia: Is Poverty Reduction Coming to an End?
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English
Description
This Special Report was prepared by a team from the Economics and Research Department. Food prices have increased sharply since mid-2007 and accelerated alarmingly in early 2008. Rice and wheat prices have spiked at levels not seen in over three decades. This threatens to exacerbate poverty in developing Asia by reducing the real incomes of the already poor, while pushing many others below the poverty line. The report proposes appropriate policy responses to the challenge of food price inflation in order to avoid the reversal of the gains in poverty reduction in the region.
Report on agricultural commodities of critical importance to global food and feed markets. They constitute much of the world’s food consumption, generate income to farmers and represent the largest portion of food import expenditures across the world. The analysis in the report puts in perspective market developments in recent months with a view to provide some insights into how the outlook might unfold for the commodities covered during the coming months.
In recent weeks, international prices of many agricultural commodities have started to fall and early indications do not preclude further declines in the coming months, however, prices are unlikely to return to the low levels of previous years due to a host of reasons, including the escalated cost of inputs.
To access the full report, please follow the link:
Rising food prices in developing countries: causes, consequences and solutions
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English
Description
Many causes have been suggested since the start of the food crisis in developing countries. What role have these various causes really played in the current situation? What will be the consequences of rising prices for food security and agriculture in these countries? What are the possible means of managing and finding a way out of this crises? CIRAD suggests some clues and answers, gleaned from the expertise its researchers have built up, and their in-depth knowledge of the countries affected.
Food and Fuel Prices—Recent Developments, Macroeconomic Impact, and Policy Responses
Language
English
Description
Prepared by the Fiscal Affairs, Policy Development and Review, and Research Departments, Internation Monetary Fund (IMF), June 2008.
This report provides a first broad assessment of the impact of the surge in food and fuel prices on the balance of payments, budgets, prices, and poverty of a large sample of countries. It reviews countries’ macroeconomic policy responses to date and also discusses Fund advice for managing the price increases. Policies should (i) ensure that food and finance reaches the most affected countries as quickly as possible, (ii) include targeted and scaled-up social measures, and (iii) avoid high costs in terms of macroeconomic instability or loss in future agricultural production. Collaborating with international partners, the Fund also stands ready to provide balance of payments assistance. As the paper presents an initial assessment of a still-evolving situation, the somewhat tentative nature of the analysis should be borne in mind.
While there has been widespread reporting of the riots that have broken out around the world as a result of the global food crisis, little attention has been paid to the way forward. The solution is a radical shift in power away from the international financial institutions and global development agencies, so that smallscale farmers, still responsible for most food consumed throughout the world, set agricultural policy.
Three interrelated issues need to be tackled: land, markets and farming itself.
Market Development Reports Impact of Rising Food Prices - EU 27 2008
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English
Description
Rising food and commodity prices have been the subject of heated political debate among the governing bodies of the European Union. This report summarizes some of the basicelements of this debate within the context of the EU Common Agric ultural Policy (CAP). As the EU-27 Member States collectively help shape the CAP, and often implement it within the context of local conditions, this report should be read in conjunction with other GAIN reports from EU Member States Capitals.
High Food Prices: The What, Who, and How of Proposed Policy Actions
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English
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The sharp increase in food prices over the past couple of years has raised serious concerns about the food and nutrition situation of people around the world, especially the poor in developing countries; about inflation; and—in some countries—about civil unrest.
IFPRI drew attention to the problem early on and identified the main actions needed to prevent and mitigate the emerging crisis.
This paper aims to identify more specifically what needs to be done now. The set of policy actions, and in particular their sequencing, scale, adaptation to diverse regional and national conditions, and the arrangements for and governance of their implementation, need frameworks and clarity.
High Food Prices: The What, Who and How of Proposed Policy Actions - IFPRI Policy Brief May 2008
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English
Description
The complex causes of the current food and agriculture crisis require a comprehensive response.
In view of the urgency of assisting people and countries in need, the first set of policy actions —an emergency package— consists of steps that can yield immediate impact...
Rising food prices in developing countries: causes, consequences and solutions
Language
English
Description
Many causes have been suggested since the start of the food crisis in developing countries. What role have these various causes really played in the current situation? What will be the consequences of rising prices for food security and agriculture in these countries? What are the possible means of managing and finding a way out of this crises? CIRAD suggests some clues and answers, gleaned from the expertise its researchers have built up, and their in-depth knowledge of the countries affected.
Countries Policies and Programs To Address Rising Food Prices
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English
Description
World Bank report on "Countries Policies and Programs To Address Rising Food Prices"
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/NEWS/Resources/risingfoodprices_chart_apr08.pdf
Community-based forest enterprise development for improved livelihoods and biodiversity conservation: a case study from Bwindi World Heritage site, Uganda
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English
Description
Current trends in economic liberalization and governmental decentralization provide opportunities for local communities to develop small-scale forest product enterprises that improve their livelihoods and provide incentives to better manage and protect resources. This paper examines the experience of the Mgahinga Bwindi Forest Conservation Trust (MBIFCT), a local non-governmental organization in Southwest Uganda, in assisting poor communities in parishes adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with the identification and development of enterprises that improve their livelihoods while protecting natural resources. The paper highlights the importance of the communities' involvement in the identification and planning of such enterprises, and of supportive policies and strategic business alliances for the development of economically viable and ecologically sound enterprises.
Simpler Forest Management Plans for Participatory Forestry
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English
Description
This working paper aims to present and stimulate thinking about some of the constraints imposed when conventional forest management plans (FMPs) are used for participatory forestry. It describes recent approaches to address these constraints, mostly based on a study of forest management plans in 22 countries. The study also focused on some promising experiences in simplifying forest management plans for livelihood-oriented and enterprise-oriented forestry.
Farmer Field School in Community Forest Management in Nepal: an approach to group learning and experimentation by Forest User Groups
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English
Description
This paper examines how FFMS is helpful to empower FUGs in managing their community
forests in technical aspects and also will examine constraints and opportunities in the
implementation of the approach in sustainable forest management. This paper also aims to
identify elements and current practices of community forestry, and the potential added value
of FFMS to community forestry. It also shares the experiences and lessons learnt from
Nepal on FFMS and the knowledge generated from it for the scaling up of the program
widely.
Linking human nutrition and fisheries: Incorporating micronutrient-dense, small indigenous fish species in carp polyculture production in Bangladesh
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English
Description
Fish and fisheries are important for the
livelihoods, food, and income of the rural population in Bangladesh. The objective of the research and capacity-building activities described in this paper is to increase the production, accessibility, and intake of
nutrient-dense small indigenous fish species, in particular mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), in order to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
Producer Company (PC)/Institutional PC of, for and by the Farmers
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English
Description
Farming in India/Karnataka as in several countries, is at cross roads due to a number of factors. “Producer companies (PC)” permit existing societies, co-operatives, NGOs, Trusts, Private Limited Companies, etc to convert to Producer Companies or set up Greenfield PCs.
The PC emphasized here is the PC of the farmers, by the farmers and for the farmers,
facilitated financially by the Government, but managed by professionals.
Nutrition education in primary schools. A planning guide for curriculum development
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English
Description
A manual by AGN, FAO, 2006.
Abstract: Healthy, well-nourished and educated people are a country's most precious asset for achieving economic and social development. Access to sufficient, safe and nutritious foods is essential to reaching this goal. However, this by itself is not enough. People also need to understand what constitutes an appropriate diet for health, and they need to have the skill and motivation to make proper food choices and practise healthy eating habits. Helping people in doing so is the role of nutrition education.
Food & nutrition. A handbook for Namibian Volunteer leaders
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English
Description
A handbook by AGN, FAO, 2004. Abstract : This Handbook has been developed as a part of the Rural Youth Development Programme of the Namibian Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Employment Creation.1 This book is to enable rural youth leaders and Extension Technicians to help other young people in their villages to understand the importance of nutrition and of selecting foods which are best for health.
A manual by AGN, FAO, 2004.
Abstract: Levels of chronic malnutrition among small and school-going children continue to be persistently high. However, good nutrition is an essential prerequisite for effective learning. In recognition of this problem and in response to the Ministry’s National Education Policy (Educating Our Future, May 1996) on improvement of the nutritional status of school-going children, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, developed action-oriented nutrition education materials. These materials focus on influencing the nutrition and health-related attitude, values, behaviour and practice of school children within the school premises as well as at community level.
Improving the quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables: a practical approach
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English
Description
A trainer manual by AGN, FAO, 2004. Available in English, French and Spanish. Abstract : Improving the quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables: a practical approach Manual for trainers The manual to «train the trainers» provides guidelines and training materials to conduct practical and participative workshops, with an integrated and multidisciplinary approach to quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. It focuses on the practical application of technical concepts, supporting the implementation of quality assurance and safety initiatives for fresh fruits and vegetables, from private and public institutions at the local, regional, national and governmental levels in each country. The contents were validated by different subregional workshops held in several Latin American countries with the final text incorporating the recommendations and contributions resulting from these workshops.
Improving nutrition through home gardening. A training package for prepairing field workers in Southest Asia
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English
Description
FAO, 1995. Available in English and Spanish.
This training package, Improving nutrition through home gardening, is for the instruction of agricultural extension agents and other field workers in Southeast Asia. It aims to strengthen their ability to promote home gardening for better family and community nutrition. The package was prepared by the Food and Nutrition Division of FAO on the basis of training materials developed for the FAO/UNDP Technical Support to the WFP Transmigration Development Project (INS/89/004) in Indonesia.
Regional Integration and Food Security in Developing Countries
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English
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By Alan Matthews, FAO, 2003. Available in English and Spanish.
The aim of this paper is to provide background information on motivations, processes and constraints to regional integration and cooperation. It presents the main issues in identifying the potential role which regional trade arrangements can play in promoting food security among their members. It looks at the interface between regionalism and food security, namely the consequences of regional integration (and, especially, regional trade integration) for food security and the opportunities which exist to address food security issues within a regional framework. Finally, the paper intends to serve as a guide for all those involved in the preparation of food security strategies in the context of regional integration arrangements.
Implications of Economic Policy for Food Security : A Training Manual
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English
Description
By Thomson & Metz, FAO, 1998. This manual has been produced as part of FAO's overall commitment to providing training materials in food and agricultural policy analysis. In particular, FAO sees the need to improve the capabilities of agencies dealing in both food and agricultural policy and macro-economic policy in understanding and allowing for the cross relationships of macro- and sectoral policies and to assess their impact on the rural population.
The UN Task Force on Food Price Crisis, that is meeting in Rome on June 3-5 during an FAO meeting (High-Level Conference on World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy) has not included the challenge of addressing the needs of young children in their global strategy for scaling up interventions meant to address rising food prices and decreased access to food.
Medecins Sans Frontieres has therefore sent a letter to all the DG's of the UN task force.
Vulnerability to Hunger: Improving Food Crisis Responses in Fragile States
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English
Description
The paper examines the imperative for improved classification and analysis of food crises in different fragile contexts. Recognizing the persistence and protracted nature of food crises, the paper questions how prevention and response mechanisms could be improved to help decisionmakers better address the underlying causes of vulnerability and hunger.
The rice crisis is now a major concern that is highlighted daily on the front pages of newspapers and on prime‐time television. This paper explains the reasons behind the rapid increase in rice prices and what must be done to achieve reliable, plentiful supplies of affordable rice.
