Reforming policies to end extreme poverty and hunger

The world produces more than enough food for every person. Modern information systems can identify where food is needed and transport systems can move food to these places. Despite this, the number of undernourished people in developing countries increased by 18 million between 1995 and 2002.

Halving global under nourishment, the first Millennium DevelopmentGoal, is achievable if high levels of investment in achieving food securitycontinue, along with policy commitments to achieve this. Progress is already beingmade; over 30 developing countries have reduced under nourishment by 25percent.

However, 33 percent of the population are still under nourishedin sub-Saharan Africa. Whilst there has been significant progress in global foodproduction, there has been insufficient progress in coordinating access tofood. Limited access to available food causes under nourishment, not a lack ofavailable food.

Research from the Food and Agriculture Organization arguesthat governments must learn from previous policy successes and failures toachieve food security. Key findings illustrate:

• A commitment to investing in agriculture iscritical for enhancing food security and reducing poverty, for example fundinglocally specific technology. However, current investment in agriculture doesnot reflect the importance of this sector.
• Trade can increase access to food, but opening domesticmarkets to international competition can threaten food security, if there isnot a developed infrastructure in place.
• Previous development assistance, such as debtrelief, does not effectively target or benefit the neediest countries.
• Conflict and civil unrest reduces foodproduction. Policies should prioritise action to address the factors that causeboth food insecurity and conflict, such as access to resources.

Policies should reflect the emerging global, regional andnational trends in food access and production. These include rapid urbanisationin developing countries; the increasing integration of global food marketsthrough trade; the deterioration of natural resources; the rising costs ofacquiring and using technology for development. To respond to these trends, theresearchers recommend that policymakers:

• focus on areas where a high proportion of peoplesuffer from under nutrition and high levels of poverty
• develop a ‘twin track’ approach that combinesdirect interventions to tackle hunger with longer term programmes to increaseagricultural productivity
• improve the productivity of smallholderagriculture through the provision of appropriate technology and infrastructuraland institutional reforms that reduce the costs of market participation
• make the best use of official developmentassistance – aid should reflect the priorities of recipients, and there must begreater coordination amongst donors
• combine povertyreduction strategies with the provision of global public goods – for example,funding farmers who maintain agricultural biodiversity and follow practices reducingcarbon emissions.