Biotech Updates

World Food Stocks Rise but Hunger Threatens Arab Countries

June 15, 2012

The Food and Agriculture Organization report on Crop Prospects and Food Siuation forecasts a positive outlook for cereal production worldwide. However, it warns that several countries in the Sahel like Yemen and Syria are expected to suffer from  poor rainfall, severe weather, armed conflict and displacement.

The report forecasts a record increase of 3.2 percent in world cereal production in 2012, totalling an estimated 2419 million tonnes. The increase is mainly attributed to maize crop harvests in the United States.

"The situation in Yemen and Syria reminds us of the clear link between food security and peace. In this case, internal conflict is causing food insecurity. But, it works the other way around as well. Throughout the world we see crisis after crisis caused, in its entirety or in part, by the lack of food or disputes over natural resources, especially land and water," FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said.

Check out the full story at http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/148806/icode/.