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The United Nations fears that there may be a severe food
crisis in the world next year. According to David Bissle, head of the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food shortages and rising
commodity prices will not only lead to famine but will also increase
inequality and social unrest in various countries. He called upon the
billionaires of the world, including the Arab world, to come forward to help
financially to avoid this situation. He said, if they give a few days of profit
in this sector, it is possible to overcome the crisis.
Due to climate change, Corona, and Russia-Ukraine war, the number of hungry people in the world has increased several times in the last few years. In a recent discussion, Beasley said, when he took charge of the United Nations Food Division five and a half years ago, about 80 million people around the world did not have enough food. It was thought that the number could be reduced, but it has increased to 34.5 crores.
According to UN data, Ukraine feeds 4 billion people worldwide, but almost all of its grain exports have been cut off due to the war.
Russia is the second largest exporter of fertilizers and one of the largest
producers of grain, but due to Western sanctions, their products do not reach
the world market properly. China, the largest producer, has imposed a ban on
fertilizer exports. As a result, crop production in other countries is
suffering. Again, agricultural production is disrupted due to excessive
heat and lack of rain in various countries including India.
In this situation, the United Nations is emphasizing as soon
as possible to fix the supply of fertilizers, strengthen the distribution
system of crops and reach the people below the poverty line. For that, they are
calling the world's wealthy people to come forward. The US and European countries
have already paid for food safety. Beasley urged that even a small part of the
profits made by the Arab world, especially due to the high price of crude oil,
should be used for the benefit of the poor.
However, food prices in the world market have been falling
for five months. The food price index of FAO stood at 138 points in August, despite
this, the food price index increased by 7.9 percent in August this year compared to
August last year. Although food prices have increased this year, there is no
shortage. But FAO fears a food crisis in the world market in March-April of
next year.
|Source: Online/SZK
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