16 October 2008
Nairobi — The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has raised an alarm over the global food situation, warning that it was going to worsen.
Speaking during the World Food Day celebration in Nairobi, FAO's Country Representative Castro Camarada, said sub-Saharan Africa will be hardest hit, since it is where most vulnerable groups are found.
The warning comes against a backdrop of global increase in food and fuel prices and a financial crisis that is likely to shift attention from the food crisis to economic stability.
This year's theme for the annual day for the campaign against hunger was: "World Food Security: Challenges of Climate Change and Bio-energy. "
Similarly, Agriculture assistant minister Kareke Mbiuki said there was an urgent need to curb malnutrition and persistent food shortages to prevent hunger in the country.
He said that inasmuch as bio-fuel continues to draw attention due to the increasing prices of fossil fuels, there was need to focus on providing access to sustainable sources of energy.
"This continued depletion of the forest cover will in the near future convert this country into a desert," he said.
The assistant minister said the Government will formulate policies to help cushion small scale traders against the effects of climate change.
Previously, FAO has asked Governments in sub-Sahara Africa to focus of adapting agricultural practices that will ensure food security. It mentioned the inadequate budgetary allocations to crucial ministries that deal with food production as having led to the dire situation.
A 2005 Taskforce on Hunger established that half of the world's hungry are smallholders and are largely affected by slight changes in climate.
On Wednesday, Mr Camarada, in the Fao's director-general's speech, said there was need to address the growing food demand and competition in prices as a result of climate change.
He called for the promotion of the Rome declaration on improving global food security, to help alleviate the situation.
But even as the leaders urged development partners to increase funding, the European Commission announced a Sh1.5 billion emergency food aid.
The amount is aimed to reduce the impact caused by the rising food and fuel prices in five Eastern Africa countries.
An estimated 10 million people are set to benefit from the hunger funds. The lion's share will go to Ethiopia, a country that is often on the world map due to the severe famine it experiences.Somalia will also receive a substantial amount to help reduce hunger in the war-ravaged nation in the horn of Africa. Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti will also benefit from the funds.
In addition, the money will help provide food aid, including supplies for malnourished children, along with short-term support for farmers, such as in the distribution of seeds and tools.
On Wednesday, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka appealed for help in fighting hunger in Ukambani, following erratic rains that led to poor harvests.
The Ministry of Agriculture has however assured Kenyans they were unlikely to be faced with starvation.
Kenya has since banned maize exports while building up stocks through imports, after the poor harvests occasioned by the political crisis early this year.
Climate change is likely to affect agricultural production as it usually disrupts the weather patterns, thereby affecting plant cycles leading to poor harvest.
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