International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Arab Food Security Conference Issues Range of Recommendations

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:54:53 -0500

Beirut, 7 February 2012 (UN Information Service) – Participants in an international conference on Arab food security today concluded two days of meetings with a call to highlight the need to focus on supporting job-creating growth for the poor in countries with household-level food insecurity, and on encouraging exports to finance food imports and agriculture in countries with macro-level food insecurity.

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* Conference Website

ESCWA and the International Food Policy Research Institute Urge Enhanced Regional Food Security

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:32:18 -0500

Beirut, 6 February 2012 – The Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Nadim Khouri called for the need to take advantage of available opportunities to improve food security in the region through trade and foreign investments to ensure benefits for all.

Contact Information:

Journalists interested in conducting interviews with participants can coordinate with Ms Maryam Sleiman via e-mail sleiman2@un.org, by phone on 03/910930 or 01/978815, or with Ms Sarah Immenschuh via e-mail s.immenschuh@cgiar.org or by phone on 76/073256

Urgent policy actions needed to tackle food and nutrition security in the Arab world

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:56 -0500

February 6—Poverty and income inequality rates in the Arab world are higher than official numbers have suggested. Food security and poverty are particularly closely linked in Arab countries due to high vulnerability to food-related external shocks, including food price volatility, natural disasters, increasing water scarcity, and conflicts.

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Full Report
Conference Website

Contact Information:

Sarah Immenschuh, s.immenschuh@cgiar.org
00 961 76 073 256

Leading BRICS+ Researchers Recommend Agricultural Work Program to Climate Change Convention Negotiators

admin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:53:16 -0500

Washington, D.C.— Climate change presents a major threat to sustainable food security. Recent changes to agriculture consistent with climate change include shifts in the production of rice and maize in the northern hemisphere and climate-induced changes in crop productivity across the world. There will be additional changes as global temperatures rise, precipitation patterns change, and the likelihood of more extreme climate-related events grows.

Contact Information:

Sarah Immenschuh, + 1 (202) 862-5679
s.immenschuh@cgiar.org

Orange Sweet Potato Reduces Risk of Vitamin A Deficiency in Children and Women in Mozambique

admin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:24:47 -0500

Washington D.C—A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition indicates that orange sweet potato (OSP) is effective in providing vitamin A to malnourished women and children in Mozambique, where the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is very high. VAD can lead to impaired immune defenses and eye damage that can lead to blindness and even death. Annually, 250,000 to 500,000 preschool children go blind from VAD and about two-thirds will die within months of going blind.

Contact Information:

Yassir Islam, y.islam@cgiar.org
Tel:+1 (202) 862 5602

Knowledge, Tools, and Lessons for Informing the Design and Implementation of Food Security Strategies in Asia

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:02:03 -0500

KATHMANDU, NEPAL—Country and regional stakeholders from governments, researchers, non-governmental organizations, donors, and the private sector are gathering in Kathmandu November 14-16 to review and share state of the art knowledge, practical lessons, and tools for supporting agriculture and food security strategies in Asia.

Contact Information:

Vaishali Dassani, IFPRI,
977- 9843121778, v.dassani@cgiar.org

Bishnu Dev Pant, IIDS,
977-9851024460, bishnu.pant@gmail.com

Increasing Agricultural Productivity Critical to Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:51:01 -0500

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—High-level policymakers, leading academics, and representatives from farmer and trader organizations and the private sector will gather here to identify investment priorities and policy options that can help increase agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, thereby reducing rural poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in the region.

Conference website

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact:
Sarah Immenschuh
s.immenschuh@cgiar.org
+ 251 911 89 77 61

New Global Hunger Index Report Calls for Action to Curtail High and Volatile Prices and Protect the Poor

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:05:34 -0500

Washington, D.C.—Growing demand for biofuels, extreme weather and climate change, and increased financial activity through commodity futures markets are the main causes of high and volatile food prices, according to the 2011 Global Hunger Index report, The Challenge of Hunger: Taming Price Spikes and Excessive Food Price Volatility.

Opportunities and Options to End Hunger in Bangladesh

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:46:29 -0500

Dhaka—Nearly 250 high-level policymakers, leading researchers, and representatives of development organizations are gathering here from October 4-5 to discuss investment plans, priorities, and policies to advance agricultural development, achieve food and nutrition security, and improve the health and well-being of all Bangladeshi citizens. The policy workshop titled “Enhancing Food Security in Bangladesh: Evidence for Action” is organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) with support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Contact Information:

Vaishali Dassani
Mobile +01749401305
v.dassani@cgiar.org

Conference Explores Opportunities to Enhance Agriculture’s Role in Tackling Malnutrition and Improving Human Wellbeing

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:39:00 -0500

Lilongwe—Nearly 150 policymakers, researchers, program implementers, and representatives from farmers’ organizations, civil society, donor agencies, and the private sector are gathering here from September 26-27 to examine how agriculture can play a better role in improving the nutrition and health of all Malawians.