The UN food summit closes with a strong statement on agriculture, but fails to adequately address trade, biofuels, safety nets, and implementation

By Joachim von Braun Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

The Rome food summit is a positive step; now world leaders need to follow through on their commitments

By Joachim von Braun, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Investments in agriculture, improved bio-energy and trade policies, and programs that target vulnerable people would reduce the threat of hunger

By Joachim von Braun
Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute

Addis Ababa—Ethiopia opens a commodity exchange this week, the first of its kind in Africa. The exchange will trade in six commodities: coffee, sesame, haricot beans, teff, wheat and maize.

Addis Ababa—Close to 200 policymakers, researchers, and representatives from the private sector, farmers’ organizations, and other civil society groups are gathering for an international conference to discuss exciting technological, institutional, and organizational innovations that are transforming agriculture, reducing poverty and hunger, and improving people’s lives.

Study Shows Acting Early Is Key to Combating Child Malnutrition

Study First to Show Improving Nutrition in Early Childhood Leads to Significantly Higher Incomes in Adulthood
 

Washington, DC—Feeding very young children a high-energy, high-protein supplement leads to increased economic productivity in adulthood, especially for men, according to a study published in the current issue of The Lancet, a leading medical journal.

New report examines the impact of growth, climate change, and biofuels

Experts, Farmers, and Policymakers Gather to Discuss Options and Strategies

New Study Examines Plight of Poor Living on Less than 50 Cents a Day

Washington, DC—Despite much progress reducing poverty worldwide, a substantial number of the world’s poorest people are being left behind, according to a new report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Marks Halfway Point between Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Declaration and Deadline

Washington, DC—Only two regions of the world—Latin America & the Caribbean and East Asia & Pacific—are on track to reach all Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets related to hunger and child mortality. As part of the MDGs, the international community set targets to cut hunger in half and under-five mortality rates by two-thirds by 2015.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—High-level policymakers, development experts, and civil society members from across Asia and the world today called for new approaches and actions to reduce poverty and hunger in rural Asia at an international forum.

Study Holds Major Potential for Food Aid Efforts in Developing Countries

WASHINGTON—A nutritional supplement known as Sprinkles, which can be added to children’s food, reduces anemia by more than half, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

By Joachim von Braun, Director General,
International Food Policy Research Institute

International Food Policy
Research Institute

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), representing the Alliance of the Centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), hereby confirms its cooperation with other partners in the efforts to eliminate child labor in agriculture.

By David Orden, Senior Research Fellow,
International Food Policy Research Institute

Washington, DC—A £3.9 million (approximately US$7.8 million) project was launched today to help poor farmers in developing countries safeguard their livelihoods in the event of future outbreaks of avian influenza.

Entebbe—High-level policymakers, community organizers, and experts from around the world are gathering here to discuss how to strengthen poor people’s access to land and water. According to a global study to be presented at the conference, if poor people can harness these vital resources and work together to manage them more effectively, they can reduce their own poverty.

In order for agricultural productivity to improve the lives of the poor, it needs a supportive environment, particularly increased access to markets.