Tuesday, October 26, 2010
THISDAY, Vol. 15, No. 5665, Page 41
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IITA _DG Tasks Govts on Rural Transport he Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IlTA) Ibadan , Dr. Peter Hanmann has called on Africa governments to invest more in rural transport infrastructure networks_ He said this will aid transport of agricultural commodi ties, reduce postharvest losses, and more importantly combat the menace of hunger. Hanmann spoke at a sub Saharan workshop against the backdrop of high preyalence of postharvest losses in. the conti-
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From Tunde Sanni in Ibadan
nent that has heen fueled over the years by the limitations of deplorable rural road networks, infrastructure and ener-
gy. The workshop, which is a collaboration of the Africa College at the University of Leeds, the Sub - Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP) managed by the World Bank and
UTt'., aims to promote an interactive dialogue between a range of stakeholders on food security, agriculture and rural transportation. The llTA chief pointed out that the limitations have given rise to annual postharvest losses of between IO and 90 percent in Africa Hartmann called for concerted efforts and dedication to good rural transportation so that Africa would cease being a receiver of food aid as "there is no dignity in asking for food
aid". According to him, with the right policies and infrastructure in place, Africa is capable of attaining self sufficiency in food production and could triple its present annual agricultural output. Besides poor energy and infrastructure. the DirectorGeneral noted that harvests in Africa were also lost to biological and commercial threats. The biological threats, according to him, include pests and diseases while com-
mercial threats are made up of taxation, border barriers, and corruption of government officials. He said there was great need for African governments to understand and make available the best and easiest way to make the means of transport, especially rural roads a reality for farmers. He said that rural roads could do the magic of not only reducing the cost of agricultural produce but also bringing development and employment to the 路 people of
CFS Seeks Action against Food Price Volatility he Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has called for action on key issues related to food security and nutrition such as land tenure and international investment in agriculture, food price volatility and on addressing food insecuriry in protracted crises. The five-day Rome meeting of the high-level intergovernmental body was its first following a reform which aims at making it the cornerstone of the global governance of agriculture and food security. The deliberations of the corruninee and its decisions come against a background of increased food price volatility and continuing unacceptably high levels of hunger and mal-
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nutrition which have under-
lined the need for an improved strategic approach to hunger. Regarding international investments in agriculture, including the sO<alled 'land grab' issue, the Committee "encouraged the continuation of the development of international Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and Other Natural Resources," according to a report published today. The Committee requested.its high-level panel of experts to study the respective roles of large-scale plantations and of small-scale farming. . _ The CFS also decided to start an inclusive process of consideration of the Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investments that Respect Rights, Livelihoods and
Resource. The CFS has requested its high-level panel of experts to take a close look and make recommendations regarding
"causes and consequences of food price volatility, including market distorting practices and links to financial markets, and appropriate and coherent policies, actions, tools and institutions to manage the risks
linked to excessive price volatiliry in agriculture." The panel's recommenda-
tions will consider how vulnerable nations and popula- 路 tions can ensure access tb food when volatility causes market disruption, and ways to lessen vulnerability through . sdeial and productive safety nets programmes. Turning to climate change: the CFS agreed to review existing assessments and initiatives on the effects of climate change on food security and nutrition. Focus of the
study will be on the most affected and vulnerable regions and populations. including the challenges and opportu nities of adaptation and mitigation policies and
actions. The Committee examined steps forward to address food security in countries plagued by protracted crises caused by conflict or natural disasters. The CFS recommended that
emergency responses to those countries be better integrated with long term assistance. At a later stage, the committee will examine the convening of a High Level Expert Forum leading to a Plan of Action for
the group of countries in protracted crisis situations. The CFS also launched a consultative process to develop a global strategic framework for food security and nutrition over the next two years in
order to help improve coordination of international efforts in the fight against hunger. Emphasis will be placed on input from the countries and stakeholders most affected by food insecurity.
the continent.
Sub - Saharan Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP) Senior Transport Specialists, George Banjo, said
investments in rural roads would help developing nations come out of the poverty trap. With more than 80 per cent of agricultural produce transported by roads, Banjo said the development of the rural road net~ork would ease transportation and offer farmers greater access to markets. " It will also improve agriculture sector's contribution to rural growth and poverty reduction in sub Saharan _ Africa;' he added. Despite . the favorable agroecological climate, SSA remains a net importer of food with some of its member states donor dependent. The region is also faced with infrastructural constraints that are hurting harvest.