Policies, Institutions, and Global Initiatives

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.

Research into more productive varieties of staple crops is an important part of agricultural R&D. Agricultural conditions can vary greatly among regions, countries, and even micro-regions; thus, seeds that produce well in one area may not be as productive in another. And with climate change posing even greater agricultural challenges for poor producers, this research is even more critical.

A Policy Dialogue on Food Security Information Needs in Kenya, co-organized by IFPRI and KIPPRA, was held in Nairobi, Kenya in March of 2011. To revisit some of the more pressing issues to have emerged from this Policy Dialogue, IFPRI and KIPPRA call for the development of two papers. (For access to the Policy Dialogue proceedings report, please contact Jenna Ferguson at J.Ferguson@cgiar.org .)

PAPER TOPICS

The 2012 G20 Summit recognizes the importance of and interlinkages between issues such as economic stability, sustainable growth, climate change, and food security. In order to address these challenges in the face of a growing global population, G20 leaders have worked closely with leading international institutions, including the FAO, IFAD, WFP, and IFPRI, to further the action plans established at the 2011 Summit and address additional steps to ensure sustainable global growth and development. The priorities of the Mexican G20 Presidency encompass:

For the world's poorest populations, risk is evident in everyday life. From negative weather events such as drought and flood to fluctuations in international financial markets, risk can take many forms and requires innovative global strategies to mitigate.