IFPRI DG Shenggen Fan talks about Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Middle Income Countries
Dr. Shenggen Fan, Director General of IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) talked about “Tackling Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Middle Income Countries” at ZEF on Monday, May 18, 2015. In his talk, Dr. Fan dealt with the role of and situation in Middle Income Countries (MICs) with regard to food and nutrition (in)security. Close to half of the world's hungry live in five MI- countries: Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. At the same time, overweight and obesity are rising in these countries - imposing high economic costs. Causes are manifold and differ per country.
To achieve food and nutrition security and overcome hunger and malnutrition in MICs and beyond the following strategies and approaches can help: Reshape the food system; Reduce inequalities with a gender focus; Improve rural infrastructure; Expand effective social safety nets; Facilitate south-south knowledge sharing and learning (see Chapter 2, page 13-17, <link http: www.zef.de http www.ifpri.org sites default files publications gfpr20142015.pdf external-link-new-window>2014-2015 IFPRI Global Food Policy Report).
In response to a question from the audience, Dr. Fan emphasized the importance of partnerships and trade for relations with Africa. Dr. Fan explained that Africa has enough resources to become more successful in improving its food and nutrition insecurity. The continent could even export processed food instead of resources only, he added.
Dr. Fan based his talk on the Global Food Policy Report 2014/15 (Chapter 2). The full report can be downloaded here: <link http: www.ifpri.org sites default files publications gfpr20142015.pdf>www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/gfpr20142015.pdf
About the speaker:
<link http: www.ifpri.org staffprofile shenggen-fan>Shenggen Fan has been director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) since 2009. Dr. Fan joined IFPRI in 1995 as a research fellow, conducting extensive research on pro-poor development strategies in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. He led IFPRI’s program on public investment before becoming the director of the Institute’s Development Strategy and Governance Division in 2005. In 2014, Dr. Fan received the Hunger Hero Award from the World Food Programme in recognition of his commitment to and leadership in fighting hunger worldwide.
