Amie Jarra, deputy director at the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources has disclosed that the global population has increased from 4.4 billion to 6.1 billion between 1980 and 2000.

She noted that food production also increased by 50%, and by 2050 the population growth density is expected to increase to 9 billion.

Madam Jarra made these remarks at the opening of a five-day regional workshop on Food Crisis Prevention, organised by the Agro Hydro Meteorology (AGRHYMET) regional centre in Niamey, Niger, in collaboration with the National Agro Hydro Meteorology (AGRHYMET) component under the Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources.

According to her the UN's FAO and Agriculture Programme report revealed that 854 million people do not have sufficient food for an active and healthy life.

"Climate change and an increasing population could trigger a global food crisis in the near future," she noted.

The world's governments, she added, have committed themselves to halving hunger by 2015, as a key element of the Millenium Development Goals. Many AU members have identified agriculture and food security as important policy goals and like South Africa, have enshrined the right to food in their constitutions.

The AU and NEPAD, she noted have developed a comprehensive African Agricultural Programme, and the Commission for Africa has called for increased attention to agriculture, and the G8 and the 2005 UN summit have also called for increased help to reduce poverty and hunger in Africa.

"The challenge now is to build the political will, both within and beyond Africa, to translate these promises into sustained and effective action that provides concrete benefits for poor people. International action must also be uderpinned by pro-poor, accountable and inclusive governance within Africa," she added.

To her, the issue is what needs to be done to tackle some of the root causes of the chronic food insecurity that leads to recurring food crises.

Solutions

At the meeting, participants observed the need to intensify political commitment to halve hunger by 2015 and eventually eliminate hunger altogether. Improved early warming systems are needed that include indicators on acess to food and markets as well as food availability.

They also recommended that governments should put in place the necessary personnel and structures to respond effectively to food crises and to integrate disaster prevention, prepareness, and mitigation into poverty reduction strategies, among others.