The white paper, developed by a bi-partisan working group of former government, international organization, business, and academic leaders, offers recommendations on how G8 governments can advance an international commitment to agricultural development in order to increase global food production and alleviate poverty.
It urges G8 countries to sustain their financial commitments to food security and launch an international research initiative to develop new agricultural varieties resistant to weather extremes, water scarcity, disease, and related risks. It also recommends G8 members spur innovation and engage the private sector by reducing regulatory barriers, building capacity, strengthening intellectual property protections, and adopting and implementing policies to increase trade in commodities and food.
Low agricultural productivity in the developing world, along with commodity price volatility, extreme weather, and conflict continue to exacerbate global food insecurity. Almost 925 million people suffer from chronic malnourishment. Agricultural production will need to more than double in the coming decades to overcome the challenge of global hunger, alleviate poverty through increasing the incomes of those living in rural areas, and meet growing demand for food.
2012 marks the third and final year of the 2009 G8 L’Aquila Food Security Initiative which set out a new framework for delivering agricultural development assistance and marked a landmark $21.5 billion pledge. This commitment has begun stimulating new efforts to improve food security, especially in the least developed nations. However, many pledges are not yet fulfilled, and there is a strong risk that progress will not be sustained without a renewed G8 and international commitment. In hosting the G8 Summit this May, the United States has the opportunity to catalyze expanded international support of global agricultural development.
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