Talks Highlight Agricultural Shortfalls

Wednesday, 07 December 2011

Background

The World Agricultural Forum was held from 28 November to 1 December 2011 in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together experts in agriculture, economics, technology and trade, as well as senior politicians.

Comment

The conference focussed on a number of key topics, including: links between political unrest and hunger; the role of south-south partnerships; global trading systems; agricultural supply chains; market based solutions; improved sustainability; and the use of natural resources.

The Chairman of the World Agricultural Forum, former New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon James Bolger, said the aim of the conference was to determine whether there were sufficient international mechanisms to ensure fairness in agricultural commodity markets. Challenging times for the agricultural sector can mean big profits for private companies and commodity traders.

The forum follows the release of a report in mid-November at the Ibrahim Forum, held in Tunis, which showed that Africa will not be able to feed its citizens for the foreseeable future. The only way this will change is if farmers change food production practices. The report said the food crises on the African continent were largely attributable to climate change, traditional unproductive ways of farming, poor storage and lack of government support.

The two forums, while useful, are unlikely to achieve lasting changes unless there are adequate reforms, peace and stability throughout Africa, something which has proved elusive over the past 50 years.

Gary Kleyn

Manager

FDI Global Food and Water Crises Research Programme

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