What's New

The new report cites an important pattern of declining rainfall, particularly in the heavily populated areas of the Rift Valley. Extended drier weather could increase the number of Ethiopians at risk for food insecurity in the next two decades if agricultural development is not increased in other areas of the country.

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Negative weather events and climate change present an ongoing global challenge for agricultural production and food security, particularly for the poor in developing countries. Unforeseen weather events and changing agricultural conditions can lead to decreased agricultural productivity, increased and volatile food prices, and food insecurity and malnutrition. Being able to track environmental conditions and better predict harvest levels would give policymakers the ability to prepare for potential food shortages.

The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) has released its monthly crops outlook. The reports track US and international production, stocks, and trade data for major commodities and agricultural goods. The April reports cite an anticipated reduction in US soybean acreage due to a surge in corn planting; Brazil and Argentina also saw reductions in their estimated soybean production due to drought. These reductions could bring global soybean export levels down by 4 percent.

The FAO Food Price Index for March averages 216 points, virtually unchanged from February's FPI at 215 points. Cereal prices also rose only one point. Low maize inventories and a strong soybean market caused a slight increase in maize prices, but sufficient wheat supplies kept that commodity's prices stable. Overall, only oils/fats prices showed strong growth due to a tightening of the expected 2011/2012 supply and demand balance.

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IFPRI's Africa Director, Ousmane Badiane , recently participated at the Washington meeting of the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI) and sat down for an interview about the role of global donors in enhancing food security and meeting the Millennium Development Goals. The interview highlights the progress made by the initiative and emphasizes the need for continued mutual accountability and coordination of efforts by donors and countries,