A spike in global food prices has increased hunger and poverty. Rising prices are higher due to a number of factors, such as increased prospertity in the developing world, energy prices, demand for biofuels, drought and trade policies. As a result, more than a hundred million additional people have been added to the ranks of the world’s poor and 115 million more are hungry.
Long-term food security depends on increasing the supply of food and raising the earning potential of poor people.
In recent decades, rich and poor countries alike have diverted resources away from promoting agricultural growth in developing countries. Disinvestments in agriculture have been compounded by protectionist trade and agriculture policies in rich countries.
Improving policies in trade, migration, and intellectual property rights would not only prove that the United States is fully committed to global development, but would also increase the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance.
Poverty reduction should be the primary focus of U.S. development assistance, with substantially more poverty-focused funding provided to meet commitments related to the Millennium Development Goals.
