What's New

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.

FEWS NET has released a new outlook report for West Africa/Sahel. The report states that crisis-level food insecurity is expected to continue in a number of areas in the region, based on current market prices, trade patterns, labor conditions, and social conditions. Chronic malnutrition is expected to rise above 15 percent.

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FAO has released its Food Price Index for January 2012. Global food prices rose nearly 2 percent in January, marking the first increase since July 2011. Despite this increase, food prices remain 7 percent lower than the same time last year. For cereals, maize saw the steepest rise last month, reflecting concerns over crop prospects in South America. Wheat also rose due to unfavorable weather events and depleting exports from Russia.