Over the last three years the price of most basic foods has increased significantly due to a range of factors including: increased demand from growing economies, food price speculation, oil prices, poor weather and the increase in biofuel production. The FAO reports that the price of staples such as rice and wheat almost tripled between 2005 and 2008 and have remained around twice as expensive as they were in 2005.

As a result the number of hungry people has increased, reaching over 1 billion in 2009. In Sub-Saharan Africa more than one in three people are chronically hungry. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization 2009 was a devastating year for the world’s hungry, marking a significant worsening of an already disappointing trend in global food security since 1996. Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes – one child every five seconds.

At the 2009 meeting of the G8 in L’Aquila, Italy world leaders committed US$20 billion over three years for sustainable agriculture development and safety nets for vulnerable populations. Called the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI), the effort has been endorsed by 27 countries and 15 international organizations.

In 2008 and 2009 Australia contributed around 2% of total funding for the World Food Program however the total funds available to the WFP have still been insufficient for need.

Key arguments:

• The world has the resources to ensure that hunger no longer exists.
• Adequate nutrition is central to healthy communities and in many countries agriculture is the main source of income. Any threats to small-holder farmers can have a devastating effect on both the health and economies of communities.
• The share of aid supporting agriculture and rural development has dropped significantly over the last twenty years.
• Simple nutrition interventions for mothers and children up to two years of age can significantly improve health.

What we’re asking for:

• Commit to a transparent plan of action and a specific timetable to meet Australia’s responsibilities under the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative agreed at the 2009 G8 Summit.
• Meet Australia’s fair share of the existing need for humanitarian food assistance.
• Reverse the long term trend of reducing agricultural aid by doubling the proportion of Australia’s development assistance to agriculture and rural development to around 14% of sector allocable aid by 2012.
• Promote policies to strengthen the rights and participation of rural women and children in all food security interventions. Particular attention is needed to address the double discrimination faced by girls because of their gender and age.
• Prioritize investment that supports small-holder farmers, the majority of whom are women, to sustainably diversify and increase agricultural productivity as well as improve their incomes and assets.
• Make sure that agriculture-trade related agreements to which Australia is a party strengthen, not hinder, food security for the most vulnerable.
• Ensure that health programs provide adequate nutrition support for mothers and children under two years of age.