Improving Agricultural Productivity and Markets for Global Food and Nutrition Security

In the recently concluded 5th World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, Joachim Von Braun, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute highlighted three important strategies that policy makers, development practitioners, donors and private sectors need to engage into, to combat hunger and poverty in the coming decades. These are: Increase investment in agricultural productivity, facilitate trade in regional and global grain reserves, and invest in social protection and child nutrition. He said he was optimistic that these measures accompanied with national policies and international cooperation, and commitment by the global community will help significantly in reducing the number of poor, hungry, and malnourished people.

For details see the press statement of the director general at: http://www.ifpri.org/pressrel/2009/20090303.asp