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Global food stocks at its lowest since 80s: FAO
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SPECIALCORRESPONDENT on 09 April, 2008 10:51:00
 
Underlining the situation as crucial, FAO Director General Jacqus Diouf today
said that soring food prices following this situation had severe social impacts.
"The problem is serious. We are seeing riots in Senegal, Kenya, Cameroon and
Egypt because increase in food prices. People of these countries are spending 50
to 60 per cent their income while purchasing food items. Lower productivity and
accelerated demands has brought the global food stocks at its lowest since 80s,"
said Diouf.
He was talking to media persons after meeting with Union Agriculture Minister
Sharad Pawar ahead of Global Agro-Industries Forum meet starting from April 10
in the Capital.
According to FAO figures, global food stocks were just over 300 million tones
in 1980. And the only other time food stocks has decreased to such lowest levels
was in 2000 which reached just below 600 million tones in that year.
Led by different global phenomenon like increased demands from developing
countries like India and China and unfavourable climatic conditions in the gains
producing regions, just over 300 million tones of grains are in the global food
stocks at present. FAO chief speculated that the stressful condition of high
food grain prices would prevail at least for 8 to 12 weeks.
Diouf indicated towards the effects of global warming on agricultural
production and changing preferences of agricultural products as prime cause
behind high prices of cereals.
"Australia, Kazakhstan, which are the prime wheat producing states are facing
droughts. There are floods in China. On the other hand, large amount of land are
being diverted for producing bio-fuel. So changing pattern of fuel, food and
animal feed is aggravating the problem," said Diouf.
When asked about the suggestion of FAO to developing countries like India to
tackle the situation, Diouf said that there should be more investment in rural
areas and infrastructure. Farmers should be given more efficient irrigation
facilities. There should also be facility to produce value added products from
raw items so farmers can generate more income against the production.
On the issue of health concerns against genetically modified crops, he said
that stages like Global Agro-Industries Forum should discuss these issue and all
191 member countries of FAO and World Health Organisation should formulate an
international framework regarding the bio-safety measures of GM crops.
On the threat of bird flu in West Bengal, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad
Pawar has attracted the attention of the FAO chief and has asked for guidelines
to deal with the problem in respect of neighbouring countries. Outbreak of bird
flu has been in the north-east and adjoining areas of Bangladesh but there is no
specified guideline for that.