FAO, IFAD, WFP, Bioversity Cite Food Security as Key Player in Sustainable Development

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),  International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Food Programme (WPD) and Biodiversity International have issued a joint statement on eradicating hunger and poverty by implementing strategies that do not compromise the planet's resources for the future generation's use. The joint statement was released on the occasion of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), also known as the Rio+20 conference from June 20 to 22, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As the joint statement implies, all the efforts toward "sustainable development" will be in vain if humanity cannot be fed and the resources upon which life depends cannot be protected. Thus, the said organizations recommended several methods and strategies which include demonstrating political will to improve governance, reform policy and most especially, take action.

To ensure the poorest of the poors' adequate and nutritious food, they should be supported through research, education, assistance, and social protection programmes or safety nets. The joint statement also acknowledged the important role of agricultural methods and technologies in producing more and sustainable crops. As indicated, promotion of crop diversification can ensure that agriculture produces a variety of foods suitable for health and nutrition, and also provides the necessary resilience to cope with climate change.

The FAO release is at http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/150055/icode/.