This paper provides an assessment of the agricultural diversification trends in South Asia. In the first part food consumption and crop production patterns in the region during the last twenty years are reviewed. Next, the agronomic and economic options for and constraints to diversification in...

The purpose of the present Conceptual Framework document, developed in the context of FAO’s “Initiative to Review and Update National Agricultural, Rural Development and Food Security Strategies and Policies”, is to propose a flexible general approach to addressing food security through...

El acusado aumento de los precios de los alimentos en el periodo 2006-2008 desató el temor de una inseguridad alimentaria generalizada a nivel mundial. Además de los cambios acaecidos en la oferta y la demanda de algunos productos básicos, la tendencia alcista también ha podido verse...

The drastic increase of food prices in the period 2006-2008 spurred fears of global food insecurity. Apart from actual changes in supply and demand of some commodities, the upward swing might also have been amplified by speculation in organized futures markets. However, limiting or banning...

L'augmentation drastique des prix des denrées alimentaires sur la période 2006-2008 a suscité des craintes concernant l'insécurité alimentaire mondiale. Outre les changements réels de l'offre et la demande de certains produits de base, la tendance à la hausse pourrait aussi avoir été...

Les achats de terres agricoles par des étrangers, en Afrique et ailleurs, sont devenus un motif d’inquiétude. De nombreux observateurs considèrent qu’ils équivalent à une forme moderne de colonialisme et qu’ils menacent la sécurité alimentaire des populations pauvres. Cependant, les...

Foreign acquisitions of farmland in Africa and elsewhere have become the focus of concern. Many observers consider them a new form of colonialism that threatens food security of the poor. However, investments could be good news if the objectives of land purchasers are reconciled with the...

Las adquisiciones extranjeras de tierras agrícolas en África y en otras partes se han vuelto un motivo de preocupación. Muchos observadores las consideran una nueva forma de colonialismo que amenaza la seguridad alimentaria de los pobres. Sin embargo, las inversiones podrían ser una buena...

The prices of many staple food commodities have increased substantially over the past year. As a result, many developing countries are facing larger food import bills. The cereal import bill of the world’s poorest countries is forecast to rise by 56 percent in 2007/08, following an already...