Home

Follow Countercurrents on Twitter 

Google+ 

Support Us

Submission Policy

Popularise CC

Join News Letter

CounterSolutions

CounterImages

CounterVideos

Editor's Picks

Press Releases

Action Alert

Feed Burner

Read CC In Your
Own Language

Bradley Manning

India Burning

Mumbai Terror

Financial Crisis

Iraq

AfPak War

Peak Oil

Globalisation

Localism

Alternative Energy

Climate Change

US Imperialism

US Elections

Palestine

Latin America

Communalism

Gender/Feminism

Dalit

Humanrights

Economy

India-pakistan

Kashmir

Environment

Book Review

Gujarat Pogrom

Kandhamal Violence

Arts/Culture

India Elections

Archives

Links

About Us

Disclaimer

Fair Use Notice

Contact Us

Search Our Archive

 



Our Site

Web

Subscribe To Our
News Letter

Name: E-mail:

 

Printer Friendly Version

Syria, Central Africa, Parts Of West Africa Face Serious Food Insecurity

By Countercurrents.org

20 July, 2013
Countercurrents.org

Serious food insecurity situation prevails in a number of countries including Syria and Egypt, said a Food and Agriculture Organization report.

A July 11, 2013, Rome datelined FAO news release headlined “World cereal production set to reach historic high in 2013” said:

In Syria, 2013 wheat production dropped significantly below average due to the escalating civil conflict leading to disruptions in farming activities. Livestock sector has been severely affected. About 4 million people are estimated to be facing severe food insecurity.

In Egypt, civil unrest and dwindling foreign exchange reserves raise serious food security concerns.

Civil unrest and conflict are major reasons for food insecurity in most of the cases.

The report, the latest issue of FAO's quarterly Crop Prospects and Food Situation, focuses on developments affecting the food security situation of developing countries.
In its review of food insecurity hotspots, the report highlights the following countries, among others:

In Central Africa, serious food insecurity conditions prevail due to escalating conflict affecting about 8.4 million people in Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In West Africa, the overall food situation is favorable in most parts of the Sahel following an above-average 2012 cereal harvest. However, a large number of people are still affected by conflict and the lingering effects of the 2011/12 food crisis.

In East Africa, although household food security has improved in most countries, serious concerns remain in conflict areas in Somalia, the Sudan, and South Sudan, with 1 million, 4.3 million and 1.2 million food insecure people, respectively.

In Southern Africa, total 2013 cereal production declined slightly from last year and remained below average. However, the results are mixed across countries. In Madagascar, damage caused by locusts and a cyclone is expected to reduce crop production in 2013, causing increased hunger, especially in the southern and western regions of the country.
In North Africa, overall crop harvest prospects are generally favorable except in Tunisia.

In Far East, the 2013 aggregate cereal harvest is preliminarily forecast at a record level, with significant improvements in Pakistan, the South Korea (Republic of Korea) and Myanmar. In the North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), despite improved cereal harvest of the 2012 main season and the near normal outcome of the ongoing harvest of the 2013 early season, chronic food insecurity exists. An estimated 2.8 million vulnerable people require food assistance until the next harvest in October.
In CIS, the 2013 aggregate cereal production is anticipated to recover from the drought-affected harvest of 2012.

In South America, record 2013 maize harvests are expected in most countries, including the main producers, Brazil and Argentina.
The report said:

In total, there are 34 countries requiring external food assistance, of which 27 countries are in Africa.

However, there are improvements. The FAO report added:

World total cereal production is forecast to increase by about 7 percent in 2013 compared to last year, helping to replenish global inventories and raise expectations for more stable markets in 2013/14. The increase would bring world cereal production to 2 479 million tonnes, a new record level.

FAO now puts world wheat output in 2013 at 704 million tonnes, an increase of 6.8 percent, which more than recoups the previous year's reduction and represents the highest level in history.

World production of coarse grains in 2013 is now forecast by FAO at about 1 275 million tonnes, up sharply (9.7 percent) from 2012.

World rice production in 2013 is forecast to expand by 1.9 percent to 500 million tonnes (milled equivalent) although prospects are still very provisional.

The report made the following forecast:

Cereal imports of Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries for 2013/14 are estimated to rise by some 5 percent, compared to 2012/13, to meet growing demand. Egypt, Indonesia and Nigeria, in particular, are forecast to import larger volumes.

It said:

International prices of wheat declined slightly in June with the onset of the 2013 harvests in the Northern Hemisphere. By contrast, maize prices increased, supported by continued tight supplies. Export prices of rice were generally stable.


 

 




 

 


Comments are moderated