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Although the food crisis in Africa is no longer in the headlines, its lingering effects must not be overshadowed by the subsequent global financial and economic crises. These effects continue to be felt acutely by many African households.
More than 300 million Africans are chronically hungry, nearly a third of the continentīs population. Many countries moved from being net food exporters in the 1970s to food importers in recent years. African countries import around 25 per cent of their food, which translates into an annual food bill of $15 billion.
Food prices, especially for the staples on which so many African households rely, remain higher than pre-crisis levels. Although international food prices have declined, this has not been transmitted to local marketplaces. Agricultural productivity remains low, outpaced by population growth, urbanization, income growth and changes in dietary patterns.
While the economic downturn has brought some relief in short-term lower food prices, it has also brought job losses and a decline in incomes. In the medium and longer term, this increases the vulnerability to hunger. The financial crisis has also reduced the already scarce capital that could be used for investment in agriculture.
UNCTAD called last yearīs crisis a wake-up call for developing countries. Continuing its commitment to food security, UNCTAD has organized an interactive panel discussion on African food security.
Interactive panel discussion on African food security:
"The lessons from the recent global food crisis"
30 June 2009
The Interactive panel discussion on African food security, entitled "The lessons from the recent global crisis", will feature keynote speaker Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Vice-President for Policy and Partnerships, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.
The panellists include Emeritus Professor Marcel Mazoyer, Comparative Agriculture and Agricultural Development, National Agricultural Institute in Paris; and Ambassador Jean Feyder, Permanent Mission of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Dr. David Nabarro, Assistant Secretary General, Coordinator for the Global Food Security Crisis and Avian & Pandemic Influenza, UNSIC, will be the discussant.
The discussion will begin at 3 p.m., during the forty-seventh executive session of the Trade and Development Board.
The UNCTAD secretariat has prepared an issues note entitled "Food security in Africa: learning lessons from the food crisis". |
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