In-depth: A global food crisis
Small farmers in developing countries cannot compete with subsidised big farmers in developed countries
JOHANNESBURG, 23 December 2011 (IRIN) - An exchange between two leading world officials on how trade affects food insecurity in countries has helped focus attention on the stalled Doha trade talks.
Olivier de Schutter, UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, says: “Food security is the elephant in the room, which WTO [the World Trade Organization] must address”, pointing out that food import bills had soared by a third for poor countries this year.
Schutter said developing countries should limit their reliance on international trade to ensure they had enough food and be able to put in place measures to beef up their own production and insulate themselves from global price shocks.
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FRONTLINE REPORTS
MALAWI: Urban poor hit by slew of price increases
GLOBAL: Thai rice policy sows worldwide uncertainty
FOOD: Pressure on maize price grows
KENYA: "Perfect storm" brewing among urban poor
| Where to watch prices |
 Against a global background of steadily climbing food prices, IRIN lists a selection of websites that offer some useful insights into how, why and where food is becoming more expensive.
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SAHEL: Act now to avoid another crisis, say aid agencies
LESOTHO: A mountain of challenges
BURKINA FASO: WFP expands food voucher distribution
GLOBAL: Winds of change in US food aid policy?
FOOD: Hunger dips but not by much
GLOBAL: Food aid that gets you two for the price of one
AFGHANISTAN: Food aid not reaching most vulnerable women, children
CONGO: Thousands to benefit in food and nutrition project
GLOBAL: Economic slowdown to push 100m into poverty
INDONESIA: Poor hit hard as fuel prices rise
NEPAL: Agricultural reform “would boost food security"
VIETNAM: Rising inflation hurting poor, undermining poverty gains
UGANDA: Government "won't budge on food prices"
EASTERN AFRICA: Consumers, traders feel the burn as prices skyrocket
CHAD: Prices hike, teachers strike
COMOROS: Concerns over possible social unrest
 Film - Kenya's Unga Revolution |
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| Throughout 2011, Kenyans have battled with rising prices of food and fuel, especially unga, or maize flour, the staple food for millions. IRIN's new film, Kenya's Unga Revolution, follows activist Emily Kwamboka as she takes to the streets to demand the government do something to help address the plight of ordinary Kenyans. |
| Government intervention |
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Analysis: Getting early warning right in the Sahel
Analysis: Six ways to take the bite out of Bangladesh food price hikes
MOZAMBIQUE: Cheaper new food subsidy coming
SYRIA: Cash payments to thousands of vulnerable families
UGANDA: As food prices bite, HIV-positive people turn to kitchen gardens
KENYA: Bag a farm
GLOBAL: Improved farming rather than more food aid?
AFRICA: Helping small farmers feed a continent