Monthly Archives: October 2011

Object lessons in the value of helping the world’s poorest farmers

Catherine Bertini and Dan Glickman, co-chairs of the Chicago Council’s Global Agricultural Development Initiative, contributed to the Huffington Post “Object Lessons in the Value of Helping the World’s Poorest Farmers” on October 13, 2011.

The article highlights how the positive effects of small investments in agricultural development assistance can result in returns for both the donor and developing nation, as demonstrated by the two home countries, Ghana and Brazil, of this year’s world food prize winners.

Please consider making a donation to AwF today to help us help the world’s poorest farmers.

Other links:

• The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
• The World Food Prize

Just published: The state of food insecurity in the world 2011

The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2011 highlights the differential impacts that the world food crisis of 2006-08 had on different countries, with the poorest being most affected.

This year’s report describes the effects of price volatility on food security and presents policy options to reduce volatility in a cost-effective manner and to manage it when it cannot be avoided. The report focuses also on the dangers and opportunities presented by high food prices. Climate change and an increased frequency of weather shocks, increased linkages between energy and agricultural markets due to growing demand for biofuels, and the increased financialization of food and agricultural commodities all suggest that price volatility is here to stay.

• Read the executive summary
• Download the full publication
• See the press release
• Visit the FAO Hunger Portal

For more information please contact: sofi@fao.org