Global food stocks face a growing threat from a rising population, climate change and the over-use of pesticides, an event in Dubai heard.
The first Food Security Forum was told that drought and famine are also interrupting vital supplies in some of the poorest countries.
“Food security is by all accounts a global challenge,” Mariam Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Future Food Security, told the forum, which is part of the Gulfood trade exhibition.
“The reality is, despite all the progress human societies have made, food insecurity, the real threat of hunger, drought and devastating famine remains all too prevalent.”
Ministers of agriculture met on Wednesday to discuss ways in which governments and the private sector can work together to help alleviate the burden facing the planet in the future.
The number of undernourished people increased from 770 million in 2015 to 842 million in 2016 - meaning one eighth of the world population still lacks food security.
“This triggered global action knowing food is among the basic needs of human beings,” Ms Al Muhairi said. “It’s an issue that requires international cooperation to affect positive change. This is where globalisation can be a highly effective instrument.”
She said a number of initiatives to promote ease of doing business could help facilitate food security, like the removal of technical barriers to trade and empowering the private sector to pitch in through their resources.
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“In the UAE, we support the fluent movement of agricultural products to different parts of the world by connecting producers and consumers,” Ms Al Muhairi said.
“Embracing advanced technologies is another aspect to consider, avant-garde and innovative technologies can be a major factor in promoting a sustainable food-secure future.
"Thinking outside the box leads to efficient solutions – we have an opportunity to lead by example and set the tone for global cooperation and we wish to see food security for everyone, everywhere now and into the future.”
Research shows that the bulk of people who suffer from food insecurity are in outlying rural areas.
“Other challenges are a high level of wastage, climate change and attacks by pesticides,” said Dr Ashraf Mahate, chief economist at Dubai Exports.
“Science and technology is of course a great resource that we can use to arrive to solutions and it is extremely timely. Work between the government and the private sector is a bridge that needs to be reinforced time and time again if we are to have sustainable solutions to food security.”
It is estimated that by 2050, the world will need to produce about 50 per cent more food to feed the growing population.
For the UAE, which imports about 90 per cent of its food, the situation is critical.
But a number of countries will be able to help feed the growing population in the future, including Russia, whose minister of agriculture, Aleksandr Tkachyov was at the forum.
“In the last few years, Russian agriculture has rapidly developed and exports have doubled in the last 10 years. One of our major client is the Middle East and North Africa region and it is our main priority – this will allow us to open a new page," he said.
Uganda is another example of an agricultural country, with agriculture supporting up to 80 per cent of its population in terms of employment and food security.
Okello Oryem, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, also spoke at the forum, highlighting the fact his country produces coffee, grains and oil crops like palm oil, soybeans, sunflower, as well as cotton, but is looking for greater investment to ship food abroad.
“So we’re ready for people who can invest in the production, processing, packaging and export of food. Uganda is all of ours as we are aware of the issues of food and water being the most scarce resources in the future," he said.
Gulfood, which is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre, concludes on Thursday.
RESULTS
Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18
Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
More from UAE Human Development Report:
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)