Remember Afghanistan? Largest crop in history but families still go hungry
According to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Afghanistan expects to produce 5.37 million tons, a 50% increase over last year's crop. Despite the success, families will still go hungry, thanks to the lingering effects of a drought and twenty years of civil unrest.
Key quotes:
“The joint FAO-WFP mission to the country shows that, despite better harvests, a timely and effective food intervention to assist the poorest of the population in helping them rebuild an asset base for their livelihood is essential” said Susana Rico, WFP country director.
Chronic malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency disorders continue to be a major problem in Afghanistan; particularly hard hit are young children, women, refugees and people living in remote mountain areas, said the U.N.
E.U./U.S. Declare Tie in Trade Battle Farm Subsidies Maintain Status Quo
Rueters reports that the European Union and the United States have made headway in their deal on farm trade reform but have made little change with regard to traditional farm subsidies. Still, the fact that the two giants are even talking at this point is good news. We thought there was going to be a gunfight at high noon.
Key Quotes:
"We've got rid of the initial stand-off between the United States and the European Union, which is better than nothing. Getting those two to move was an achievement," said farming analyst Brian Gardner at Food Policy International in the article.
"As it stands, significant subsidies will still be permitted and the concerns and priorities of developing countries have, once again, been largely ignored," said Tim Rice, trade policy analyst at international development agency ActionAid.
