Global hunger initiative focuses on agriculture
“We need game-changing, innovative solutions to address these challenges.” –Jonathan Shrier, special representative for Global Food Security in the U.S. Department of State, in response to concerns about climate change, food demand and decline in per capita of cultivable land.
6.6 million rural households in developing countries benefit from direct U.S. government food interventions.
|
When the global food crisis struck five years ago, the U.S. took swift action by investing more than $1.5 billion in food and support in developing countries. These investments were the precursor to President Barack Obama’s Feed the Future initiative, which has pledged $3.5 billion for ag development globally. Currently, the focus is on 19 countries (see map). Working with partner governments, researchers and the private sector, Feed the Future hopes to reduce the prevalence of poverty and stunting in children under 5 years old by 20% in the next five years. This translates to 10 million fewer poor people and 2 million fewer children who have to deal with stunting by 2017.
Steer the Focus to Farming
Recent studies suggest that every 1% increase in agricultural income per capita reduces the number of people living in extreme poverty by 0.6% to 1.8%.
For more information on Feed the Future, visit www.FeedtheFuture.gov
