U.S. Announces Aggressive Approach to Reduce World Hunger

By Kathryn McConnell

Washington, DC May 21, 2010 - The United States plans to take an aggressive approach to reducing world hunger and malnutrition by investing in countries that have made plans to produce more food, create strong markets and spur private-sector investment in their agricultural sectors.

The initiative - called Feed the Future ( http://www.feedthefuture.gov/ ) - will increase the incomes of at least 40 million people over 10 years and reduce chronic child malnourishment, said Rajiv Shah ( http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2010/May/20100520121958eaifas0.4752161.html ), administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Shah outlined Feed the Future at a May 20 symposium in Washington sponsored by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Feed the Future involves the expertise of several U.S. agencies, including USAID, the departments of Agriculture and Treasury, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Peace Corps, working in collaboration with a potential 20 "focus countries" in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In June 2009, President Obama pledged at least $3.5 billion over three years for agricultural development and food security, which is ensuring that people have consistent access to nutritious food and sufficient income to purchase it. The initiative's full budget will have to be approved by Congress.

The Feed the Future initiative's potential countries in Africa are Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; in Asia they are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and Tajikistan; and in Latin America, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua. These countries have low incomes, large rural populations and high rates of child malnutrition. Most have already involved their local communities and nongovernmental groups in improving farm productivity and increasing regional trade in food. The results achieved in these countries will provide the basis for deciding on investments by the United States beyond the announced three-year period.

By the end of 2010, the United States expects to deliver Feed the Future resources to 15 of the 20 potential focus countries. The investments will be aligned with the countries' priorities and with private-sector investments in such areas as grain storage and market information systems, Shah said. African participants in Feed the Future are courting U.S. investments to increase regional agricultural trade.

Shah said several countries have already exhibited leadership in food and investment strategies. He noted that since 2006, Rwanda has raised food production as a result of a nearly 50 percent increase in government investment in its own agricultural sector.

Some countries have created partnerships with large-scale international food buyers to create durable demand and supply systems. For example, the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, works with farmers in Central America to help them improve their post-harvest food handling.

The strategy announced by the administration places a priority on women farmers, who grow most of the food in developing countries. "When women control gains and income, they're far more likely to spend those gains improving their families' access to health, education and nutrition," Shah said.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that the administration plans to expand credit, extension services and research fellowships for women. Feed the Future will also emphasize increased research into farm techniques and biotechnology. Research coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and USAID will involve U.S. and international universities and the private sector. Vilsack said Feed the Future also will devote considerable resources to school feeding programs, which often are children's main source of nutritious meals. "It's about building healthy individuals and healthy countries. In order for that to happen you need well-educated people," he said.

He noted that volunteerism also will play a role. Programs like Farmer-to-Farmer, which is administered through nongovernmental groups, link volunteer U.S. farmers and agribusiness experts with counterparts in developing countries to share their skills.

Source: U.S. Department of State