October 20, 2010

APEC to increase world food production

The Agriculture Ministers of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have agreed to increase agricultural production and facilitate agricultural trade and investment in tackling world food shortage.

Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Noh Omar, said that the issue was the main focus of the first APEC Food Security Meeting due to the increasing world population and climate change.

"According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN, in 2050, world population will reach nine thousand million people. Therefore, 70% of world food production must be increased," he said today.

In this regard, he said, members of the meeting reached a consensus to resolve any differences in conditions and terms of trade of agricultural products to ensure a secure food supply continues.

In addition, he said, participants also agree to cooperate to overcome the negative impacts of climate change and natural disasters that often threaten agriculture in Asian countries.

"APEC members also agreed to work together to promote responsible agricultural investments, agricultural trade provides a better and more stability in food prices," he said.

Noh said, the forum was also renewed its commitment to promptly complete the results of the Doha Round negotiations on trade liberalisation and the extension of the agreement confirms the APEC 2008 Conference.

"This is to prevent any attempt to introduce new barriers to trade and investment and export restrictions until 2011," he said.

He said the forum received Niigata Declaration on Food Security and the APEC action plan to address the problem of food shortages.