WORLD FOOD SHORTAGE
Understanding the Crisis - Sourcing the Solutions
A Focus of the 4th Malaysia International Agro Bio Business Conference 2008

A wave of food prices increases, now termed the 'silent tsunami' is moving across the globe. The phenomenon is affecting everyone on the planet but the poor and hungry are bearing the brunt of the crisis. International experts say millions of people are being pushed deeper into poverty and hunger by high food prices. According to the World Bank, the number is at least 100 million, adding to the 1 billion that are already entrapped in absolute poverty.

On international commodity markets, food prices have gone up 54 percent over the last year, with cereal prices soaring to 92 percent. Meanwhile, food reserves are at their lowest for 25 years and commodity markets are extremely volatile, subject to sudden spikes and speculation. Global food supplies are under pressure from the expanding demand for food, feed, and bio-fuels, the rising price of energy, increased land and water scarcity as well as the effects of climate change.

Global food shortage is already causing social unrest around the world. In recent months there have been protests in at least 25 countries, and lives have been lost. This is a cause for concern as the problem is affecting not only refugees but also citizens. In order to protect their own populations, many countries have imposed export bans and/or restrictions on certain food types. This has tended to drive food prices up even further.
Countries dependent on food imports have had to take rear guard action.

Malaysia, for example, is a net importer of food, spending about 70.4% more on food imports compared to the value of its exports. This is despite the fact that it is a well endowed nation with one of the highest biomass productions in the world. To counter escalating food prices, the Government has decided to spend at least RM725 million to subsidize the import of 500,000 tonnes of rice to help maintain a stable retail price of this staple food.

While it is important to mitigate the impact of higher food prices on the population, this crisis also brings to the forefront the unique opportunity to revive and boost the agriculture sector. We need a completely different approach towards building equitable and sustainable food systems and reducing food insecurity - systems which are capable of withstanding increasing economic and environmental shocks. This requires a change of mindset on the part of all key stakeholders in food and agriculture development. Undoubtedly, it will require greater involvement, commitment and investment from the private sector; as well as more effective policies and incentives on the part by the Government.

Towards this end, the World Food Shortage Conference is organized to help focus efforts, policies and strategies towards increasing food supply in the long run, while exploring the factors behind the food price hikes. High profile speakers and leading industry experts will be invited from various countries to share their experiences, strategies and knowledge in tackling the problem of global food shortage.

This Conference therefore is definitely an event not to be missed by modern agriculturalist, agro-entrepreneurs, industrial players, academicians, research scientists and government officials. It is an opportunity to share in-depth insights and strategies on the issue of food security.

A special focus of the 4th Malaysia International Agro-Bio Business Conference 2008

Given the need to deal with hunger and food insecurity in many parts of the world, the application of biotechnology to improve and increase food production is fast becoming the only viable option for the toiling millions. Recognizing agro-bio as a powerful tool in resolving the world's food problem, the 4th Malaysia International Agro-Bio Business Conference 2008 will focus on the theme of World Food Shortage. This Conference is seen as a platform to explore and share the potential of various solutions, including agro-bio, in order to achieve global food security in the coming decades.