Call to prioritise agri-production

AGRICULTURAL production and nutrition must become priorities for development aid programmes, Minister Brendan Smith told the World Food Summit in Rome yesterday.

He said rising food prices impact on food security. This is most evident in the developing world, where people already suffering from under-nourishment, and for whom food bills make up between 60% and- 80% of their income, are facing a heavy burden.

More than half the world’s population lives in low-income, food-deficit countries.

Mr Smith called on governments to radically reappraise their priorities and fulfil their commitments to fight hunger.

Noting that Ireland’s development assistance will reach the target of 0.7% of gross national income by 2012, he said a central part of the international response has to be support for sustainable agricultural production in Africa, and other food deficit regions.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pays an annual subscription to support the work of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN.

This amounted to €1.5 million this year. It also provides extra budgetary funding to support particular FAO activities.

The Minister said that although rising food prices have caused hardship for some, they can offer the possibility of income generation for farmers, if individual country’s agricultural sectors are able to respond.

“We must give them the help they need to do so. Partner governments must in turn ensure that they pursue supportive agricultural policies which promote sustainable pro-poor growth,” he said.