Food for Thought: IFPRI Presents at JICA

On August 25, representatives from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) visited JICA headquarters to participate in a seminar entitled "Getting to the Heart of Globalization, Agriculture, Poverty Reduction, and Climate Change." The visitors included Joachim von Braun, Director General of the Institute, and Mark Rosegrant, Director of the Environment and Production Technology Division

In his presentation, Joachim von Braun pinpointed many reasons behind the recent worldwide food price spike and how conditions have been exacerbated by the Global Financial Crisis. In addition, he mentioned how food prices are increasingly becoming intertwined with political security and global financial markets. von Braun calls for more open trade, the creation of a global food reserve, and more comprehensive nutrition and preventive health services. Finally he stresses increased investment in agricultural technology and institutional innovations.