Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.

February 22, 2012
By Sung Lee

Somalia conflict: Why should the world help?, BBC News, February 20
The British government is hoping a conference it is hosting on 23 February can finally start to bring peace to Somalia, which has known little but conflict and misery over the past two decades. An aid appeal for Somalia last year raised at least £72m ($114m) - more than for any other food crisis in Britain's history. If Somalia had a functioning government, the effects of the drought would have been far less severe and thousands of lives would have been saved.

Smart agriculture to help world’s poor, Business Reporter, February 22
Experts from IFAD, a specialized agency of the United Nations, said that there was a satisfactory degree of agricultural success in developing nations but much still needed to be done as small holder farmers remained vulnerable to forces of climate change, lack of market access and under investment. Out of a global population of about seven billion, more than one billion people remained under nourished, yet there is enough arable land to feed the entire world population.

Kenya army says Somali militants causing food crisis by blocking trade in southern Somalia, Associated Press, February 21
Officials said Somalia’s south is now in the beginning stages of a humanitarian crisis because its residents are not getting the needed supplies, and they urged more relief agencies to step in. The Kenyan army blames al-Shabab for the blockage, and says that it is also slowing the army’s advance toward Kismayo.

West Africa: addressing food crisis, The Africa Report, February 22
The Accra meeting will review emerging challenges in funding, food availability, accessibility and other agricultural issues as well as the issue of climate change. FAO wants to achieve by 2015 in the sub region, sustained rural poverty reduction and food security through a broad-based growth on agricultural production, productivity and diversification as well as household incomes, with focus on small holders and vulnerable groups.

Brazil to fund food purchasing in five African countries, FAO, February 21
The Government of Brazil is providing $2 375 000 for a new local food purchase programme to be set up by FAO and the WFP to benefit farmers and vulnerable populations in five African countries – Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger and Senegal.  Brazil will fund the project, as well as share expertise drawn from its own national Food Purchase Programme.

National Guard to train Afghans on agriculture, Green Bay News Gazette, February 21
A newly formed unit of the Wisconsin National Guard soon will deliver Dairy State know-how to war-torn Afghanistan. As Afghans become better able to produce more food, they will be less likely to grow poppies for opium or be recruited into the forces that have been battling the government and U.S. troops.

For woman in Sudan, no escape from misery, New York Times, February 19
Mary Nyekueh Ley has a quick way of summing up her life. “My life’s a curse,” she said. Mrs. Ley struggles to feed her children anything beyond wal wal, a tasteless dish of sorghum and water. She does not have any relatives nearby who can help.

 

 

Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.

February 21, 2012
By Sung Lee

Using Diplomacy to Create Jobs, Opinion, Thomas R. Nides, Politico, February 19
In this increasingly interconnected and dynamic world, we must work together – whether businesspeople or diplomats, Americans or our international friends – to advance our shared prosperity. We must continue to build the rules, institutions, and relationships necessary to systematically advance the economic interests of our citizens and businesses well into the future. America’s economic strength and our global leadership are a package deal.

Yemen's Instability Could Be Fixed by Food Aid, William Lambers, History News Network, February 20
UNICEF is trying to provide plumpy'nut, a special peanut paste to save Yemeni children from potentially deadly malnutrition. However, low funding prevents them from reaching the vast majority of mouths. Low funding has forced the UN WFP to scale back food programs for children as well as other hunger relief efforts.

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah Discusses the Importance of Faith-Based Groups to Combat Global Hunger and Poverty, PBS, February 17
Partners like World Vision or Catholic Relief Services that take the time to engage with communities they’re trying to serve, that are willing to be there for the long run, that work in partnership and cooperation with governments so that they are coordinating their efforts and getting the most out of what we—the investments we make.

Obama Says Export Aid Will Help U.S. Companies Compete, Bloomberg, February 17
The administration will use existing authority “so that the Export-Import Bank can provide U.S. firms competing for domestic or third-country sales with matching financing support to counter foreign non-competitive official financing that fails to observe international disciplines,” the White House said in a statement released in conjunction with Obama's Boeing visit.

Malnutrition: Why EMs Should Care, Financial Times, February 17
Malnutrition, while not a new problem, has in recent years been exacerbated by a combination of factors such as climate change, volatile food prices, demographic shifts and of course renewed economic uncertainty. And while the humanitarian reasons for tackling malnutrition have been widely reported, the economic case is often overlooked. Billions of dollars are wasted in forgone productivity and avoidable healthcare spending.

FY13 Budget: Making Smart Investments, Opinion, Rajiv Shah, USAID, February 16
It is important to remember that these numbers represent lives around the world that can be supported and saved through our smart investments in agriculture, health, and access to clean water, among other programs.  And these investments come at an incredibly small fraction of our national budget—in the case of development assistance, less than one percent.

Mr. Xi Goes to Iowa

Those were interesting photos from the dusty archives that appeared in various newspapers and TV reports this week, pictures of a visitor from China inspecting hogs, vegetable farms and grain processing facilities in Iowa back in 1985.  It became downright fascinating when it turned out that visitor, Xi Jinping, was now returning to the U.S., and to Iowa, as the vice president of China.  Oh, and he is presumed to be China’s next president.

Xi knows farming – he had first come to Iowa as a Communist Party leader to study farming practices that could help his agriculture region back home.  And he knows the importance of increasing food production for his country and for the entire world.

This raises the tantalizing possibility of China becoming a top ally in the U.S. push to end hunger through agriculture development.  The two countries have deep differences on a number of issues, but this may be one on which they can agree: creating the conditions for the world’s smallholder farmers, particularly those in Africa, to be as productive as possible.  It would be good for those farmers – among the poorest and hungriest people on the planet – and good for all of us.  For those smallholder farmers are indispensable if we are to conquer the greatest challenge facing the world over the next couple of decades: nearly doubling food production by 2050 to meet the demand of a population that is growing in both size and prosperity.

Earlier this year, we reported on China’s first white paper on foreign aid.  It was clear in that document that agriculture development, particularly in Africa, was a top Chinese focus.  “China makes agriculture, rural development and poverty reduction in developing countries priorities of its foreign aid,” the white paper stated.  It talked about building farms and agro-technology demonstration centers, constructing irrigation and water-harvesting systems, supplying agriculture machinery and farm implements, dispatching agriculture experts to spread knowledge of new technologies, and providing agricultural training in the recipient countries.

And the paper said this: “China has been increasing its aid for agriculture and grain production in particular.  In recent years, food security has become a global issue.”

 

In a way, it sounded like China’s version of President Barack Obama’s Feed the Future Initiative, which seeks to end hunger by working with developing country governments to improve their agriculture systems.  Obama has championed this cause from his very first days in office, prodding his fellow G8 leaders to adopt their own Food Security Initiative three years ago.  And he’ll have another prime opportunity to advance agriculture development when he hosts the G8 meeting in Chicago in May.

But beyond that set of world leaders (which doesn’t include China), a U.S.-China partnership could strike a mighty blow against hunger.  The two countries are the leading agriculture producers in the world.  They are competitors and also trading partners.  Together they could drive agriculture development in lands far beyond their borders by sharing efforts in research, education and investments.

After Xi returned to the site of his first visit, Muscatine, Iowa, he moved on to Des Moines for the initial U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium, accompanied by Han Changfu, China’s agriculture minister.  There, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack zeroed in on the possibilities.

"First, we have responsibility and opportunity to work together to address the causes of global hunger that affect more than 925 million people,” Vilsack said.  "Current population trends mean we must increase agricultural production by 70% by 2050 to feed more than 9 billion people.  I look forward to strengthening partnerships with China to support agricultural productivity in nations where far too many millions go hungry.  The expertise, technical know-how, research and combined will of our two nations can go a long way to filling empty stomachs and improve incomes and economies around the world.”

For inspiration, they were meeting at the headquarters of the World Food Prize, which was established by Norman Borlaug, an Iowa native who became the father of the Green Revolution.  In that building are tributes to the World Food Prize laureates who have dedicated themselves to ending hunger through agricultural development.

Borlaug was adamant about the necessity of government leadership and cooperation in spurring the production of more -- and more nutritious -- food.  Perhaps surrounded by his aura in the building that stands as a monument to agricultural development, the seeds of a new alliance to end hunger were sown.

February 16, 2012
By Sung Lee

Secretary Clinton launched the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, aimed at reducing production of short-lived pollutants that contribute to climate change.  Studies have shown that short-lived pollutants such as methane, black carbon or soot, hydroflourocarbons are responsible for one-third of current climate change, which is one of the most serious and complex problems facing today's world, according to Clinton. "Eliminating these pollutants can “protect health, improve agricultural productivity, and strengthen energy security."

The United States will commit $12 million of new funding. The coalition will develop a targeted global campaign to spread solutions to the short-lived pollutants. The full speech is available here.

Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.

Farmers are ready to do their part on climate change, Opinion, Kanayo F. Kwanze, Huffington Post, February 15
Creating an enabling environment for them to manage their risks, access markets, and get the technical know-how they need to succeed in their businesses are all essential to driving them toward a climate-smart, more productive agriculture. We must all recognize that, farming is a business, even for the poorest farmers on the planet. Today's focus needs to show small farmers not only how to increase their yields through sustainable approaches, but also how to make money and improve their lives when they implement such approaches.

As Xi Charms Iowa, China Hedges Corn Ties With U.S., Wall Street Journal, February 16
It’s in China’s interests to diversify its suppliers. Unlike most other sectors, it’s running a trade deficit in agricultural trade with the U.S., an issue that rankle some Chinese officials. As the world’s biggest buyer of most commodities, China understands that a good bargain is better if there are more sellers. So even as Vice President Xi put a personal touch on China’s growing relationship with the world’s largest corn exporter, it’s paving the way for deals with the world’s second largest.

East Africa crisis response was effective but not fast enough, report says, Guardian, February 16
The response to the crisis in east Africa by members of the Disasters Emergency Committee was effective, but not quick enough to prevent the suffering of thousands of people, according to a report published. The report acknowledged that a shortage of outside funding and red tape, including restrictions caused by the centralized control of the aid effort by the Ethiopian government, had delayed members' response there.

Congress gives some love to the World Bank, Foreign Policy, February 14
With relatively little public attention, Congress approved all the funds the administration had asked for to boost the World Bank's lending power -- about $800 million over five years -- and agreed to top up the Bank's fund for the poorest countries, the International Development Association. Congress also threw in most of the requested funds for the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, and a climate and environmental fund administered by the World Bank.

The next World Bank president: Bill Clinton?, Opinion, Richard Adams, Guardian, February 15
Lael Brainard, under-secretary for international affairs at the US Treasury, has been responsible for drawing up the White House's shortlist of candidates to replace Zoellick. Alongside names such as Larry Summers and Tim Geithner, speculation in Washington has been rampant if unsourced that Bill Clinton's name is in the frame, and the constant rumours that Hillary Clinton was interested in the job – repeatedly denied by her – were in fact a misunderstanding over which Clinton was a candidate.

February 16, 2012

By Sung Lee

Secretary Clinton said the United States is placing more emphasis on "practicing high-impact development" and helping the countries to become more self-sufficient.

Speaking at a town hall meeting at the United States Agency for International Development, Clinton said that the State department's Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review and the USAID Forward are producing results and getting maximum impact from every aid dollars.

The QDDR set four main lines of activities: 1) modernize diplomacy and development to match the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century; 2) transform our approach to development – strengthening the ability to elevate development as a pillar of civilian power alongside diplomacy and defense; 3) Prevent and respond to crises and conflicts through partnership; and 4) working better by working smarter.

Clinton said, “I mean, ultimately – it’s a very unlikely goal, but I think it’s an important one – we want to work ourselves out of the business. Our goal is self-sufficiency - people being able to feed themselves and have governments that care enough about their people to provide healthcare and do all the work that we know makes for a better life.”

Secretary Clinton and Administrator Shah’s remarks are available here.

Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.

World Bank chief to step down, Wall Street Journal, February 16
World Bank President Robert Zoellick said Wednesday he would step down as scheduled when his term ends in June, setting the stage for a new leader to be named to the international lender in the coming weeks. The bank, which is owned by 187 nations and lends to developing economies, has been led by an American since its creation after World War II. The U.S. is the bank's largest shareholder.

China to buy $4.3 billion of Soybeans in deals with U.S. exporters in Iowa, Bloomberg, February 15
China, the world’s biggest soybean importer and consumer, signed agreements in Iowa to purchase 8.62 million metric tons of the oilseed from U.S. suppliers in a deal valued at $4.3 billion. China became the largest buyer of U.S. farm products in 2010, and last year boosted purchases to $22.17 billion, U.S. Department of Agriculture data show

Iowa and China have come full circle, Opinion, Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, Des Moines Register, February 15
When I welcome Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates today, it will represent both the culmination of my personal connection to that country over the past five decades, as well as a capstone marking the transformation of China during that period.

Iowa stop to show plus side of Chinese trade, Wall Street Journal, February 15
China was the biggest foreign buyer of U.S. agricultural goods in 2011, and much of what it bought were commodities big in Iowa, such as soybeans, pork and corn. Grain farmers in Iowa have enjoyed record returns in the past two years, and the state has the nation's sixth-lowest unemployment rate, at 5.6%. That makes the Hawkeye state welcoming terrain.

Smart weather data can make a difference, IRIN News, February 15
“When should we plant?” is a question increasingly being asked by small farmers in sub-Saharan Africa who depend on rain-fed agriculture. To help answer such questions, climate scientists are being urged to provide more reliable and relevant local climate data, and better communicate their knowledge on climate adaptation techniques. 

February 15, 2012
By Sung Lee

Save the Children, an international aid organization, urged the international community to take an immediate action to help almost half a billion children who are suffering from malnutrition. The new report, A Life Free from Hunger, states that 300 children die of malnutrition every day.  Malnutrition is the root cause of the deaths of 2.6 million children every year.  The report also states that nearly two in five children in Africa, more than 60 million children, are stunted. The full report is available here.

Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.

Poor diet kills 2.6 million infants a year, says survey by Save the Children, Guardian, February 15
Malnutrition is the root cause of the deaths of 2.6 million children each year, and the bodies and brains of 450 million more will fail to develop properly due to inadequate diet over the next 15 years unless immediate action is taken, according to a survey published by a leading international charity.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, February 15
Rural America supplies food for our country and the world. Agriculture is also a critical driver of our economy, helping support 1 in 12 American jobs. Last year, exports of American agricultural goods reached a new record, helping drive record farm income and supporting more than one million jobs.

"A Catastrophic Year" as Hunger Crisis Looms over Sahel, IPS, February 15
Seven out of the eight governments in the Sahel – the arid zone between the Sahara desert in North Africa and Sudan’s Savannas in the south – have taken the unprecedented step of declaring emergencies as 12 million people in the region are threatened by hunger. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria have all called for international assistance to prevent yet another hunger crisis on the continent.

Aid groups seek flexible food assistance program in farm bill, Agri-Pulse, February 15
Currently, the United States provides approximately 50% of food aid globally at an estimated annual cost to taxpayers of $2 billion, roughly 80% of which is delivered by a half-dozen programs contained in the Trade Title of the 2008 Farm Bill. They include P.L. 480, Food for Progress, McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, and the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust.

Pioneer Will Establish Seed Research Center in Beijing, Des Moines Register, February 14
DuPont, the parent company of Pioneer Hi-Bred in Johnston, will build a seed technology hub in Beijing, China, the company announced today. The hub, which is slated to open later this year, will use molecular breeding to develop high-yield corn hybrids. China is a growing importer of corn from the United States, but Pioneer executives believe that the fast-growing country can move into the top tier of corn producers in 15 years by using modern seed and production techniques.

The Case for U.S. Foreign Aid, Opinion, Emma Welch, Council on Foreign Relations, February 14
U.S. foreign aid makes the biggest impact in its long-term efforts that do not make headline news. It provides critical resources and support to over 190 countries and international institutions to better ensure stability and encourage growth. For many countries, U.S. financial support is a critical lifeline.

State Department says US envoy to hold talks with North Korea in Beijing next week, Washington Post, February 13
The U.S. has repeatedly said that any decision on food aid would be driven by North Korea’s need for it and U.S. confidence that any aid would not be diverted to the powerful military. The North requested the food aid over a year ago. The last U.S.-funded food distributions ended in 2009 after North Korea expelled staff monitoring its distribution.

February 14, 2012

By Sung Lee

Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah held a press conference to discuss the FY 2013 State Department and USAID budget. Administrator Shah said, “Feed the Future program, the President and Secretary’s signature effort to advance food security around the world, is based – is funded at $1 billion and is predicated on the point that it’s cheaper and smarter to help countries feed themselves than to address famine, food riots, and failed states that result from food insecurity.” A complete replay of yesterday's briefing can be viewed on the State Department’s website. The State Department also released FY 2013 budget fact sheet. 

Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.

An agency-by-agency guide to Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal 2013, Washington Post, February 13
The spending plan sets aside $770 million for the creation of a new Middle East and North Africa Incentive Fund to promote democracy, good governance and free market economies in Arab nations roiled by revolt. It allocates $2.7 billion in economic assistance to support transitions in other parts of the developing world, including the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, Liberia, Haiti and Myanmar.

5 coming battles over the 2013 international affairs budget, Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy, February 13
The State Department and USAID requested $51.6 billion for fiscal year 2013, but $8.2 billion is categorized as temporarily needed funding for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan under what's called the Overseas Contingency Operations fund (OCO) account. The remaining $43.6 billion is the "core budget" request and represents a 10 percent increase over fiscal 2012 levels as enacted by Congress.

State Department to see modest spending increase, Washington Post, February 13
The administration’s plan calls for $43.4 in funding for the department’s so-called “core” budget, with an additional $8.2 billion for “overseas contingency operations,” which includes civilian-led missions in war zones. Total spending would rise by 1.6 percent over 2012 levels. International programs don't have strong constituencies on Capitol Hill to begin with, and Congress has its own ideas for how to spend foreign aid.

On the Farm: Where China runs a trade deficit with the U.S., Wall Street Journal, February 14
Agricultural policy has lately proved a tough row to hoe for the U.S. and China — the world’s largest agriculture exporter and the world’s largest producer, respectively. There was an unexpected spat over animal feed last June, and lately top Chinese officials have been downplaying the country’s need for U.S. corn. But at least for Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S., China is pursuing a detente in the farm fight. China is keen to cooperate with the U.S. in food security, sustainable agriculture, agricultural trade, and agricultural science and technology.

Towards a pro-poor maize policy in Kenya, IRIN, February 14
The poorest Kenyans now spend over a quarter of their income on the cereal. High and volatile prices are especially hard on the poor, including the 98 percent of farmers in Kenya who, according to the World Bank, buy more maize than they sell. Achieving lower and more stable prices, say the Bank and others, depends in large part on the government coming up with more permanent trade and marketing policies and on the East African Community reviewing its practices. 

US farmers drawn to corn on high prices, Financial Times, February 13
US farmers may plant more corn than at any point since the second world war as they enjoy another year of high prices, government analysts said. The strong market has buoyed plantings of corn in rival exporters such as Brazil and Ukraine, but the USDA’s projection, included in an outlook to 2021, shows US farmers chasing prices as they make planting decisions this year.