Rich world shuns anti-famine research

The results of an extensive study into the world food crisis were revealed this week, which concluded that significant investment is needed if the world is to be fed with sustainably grown food.

The 2,500 page report, titled the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), took three years to complete and involved consultation from over 400 experts.

The report encourages rich world countries to together make an immediate donation of US$500 million in contribution to research that will help abate the world’s growing food crisis.

It has been endorsed by the UN, the World Bank, and 60 world governments, but has yet to be approved by the UK, the US, Canada or Australia.

The latter are concerned about the report’s criticisms of GM crops and biofuels. The report stresses that GM crops are not a quick fix solution, and may end up causing more problems than they solve. It also points out how growing crops for biofuels has contributed to the current worldwide famine.

Recently some countries have seen the prices of staple foods rise by up to 80%, leading to food riots and a number of unstable political situations with the potential for violent conflict.

The irony is that enough food is currently grown in the world to feed everyone, yet 800 million people go hungry.

The report blames this disparity on the way food is produced and distributed to privilege the rich world. Furthermore, modern agricultural techniques shoulder the blame for reducing biodiversity, and contributing to climate change.

The IAASTD’s key recommendation is introducing legal, economic and institutional frameworks aimed at both boosting productivity and protecting the environment.