Support to the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) in the Field of Food Security
Consultation for the BMELV, participation in committees, public relations and information dissemination
Currently, about one billion people suffer from hunger and chronic malnutrition. The economic and financial crisis, the consequences of climate change and the decline of the world's arable land and other natural resources will further deteriorate the situation. The fight against hunger is a top priority of the BMELV.
Paddy fields in Indonesia
In order to improve alimentation sustainably, improvements of governance, socio-economy, at organisational and structural level, as well as an increase of agricultural production are necessary. This applies to all areas of plant and animal production, conservation and utilisation of biotic and abiotic resources, breeding, nutrient and water supply of crops and livestock, management of epidemics and diseases.
It is furthermore important to improve the framework conditions for local food markets and the devel-opment of rural areas. This concerns for example the reduction of postharvest losses, development of efficient marketing and logistics structures for small-holders and rural regions, the design of financing models adapted to local conditions, development of concepts to react towards fluctuation in harvest and market-prices, as well measures regarding the competition for scarce land.
BLE supports BMELV in his efforts to increase global food security in different ways. The tasks of the division "International Cooperation and Global Food Security" (Division 323) involve the consultation of BMELV on comprehensive issues that lie beyond responsibilities of individual existing contacts, the contribution in national and international committees, the participation in and implementation of measures and programs global food security, public relations and information dissemination.
Background
The international community committed itself in 2009 on the World Food Summit in Rome on world food security. The proposed measures will contribute to the explanation of the requirements of the 2008 Progress Report on Sustainability strategy for realigning and strengthening international cooperation in the framework of a global partnership bill. It establish to decisions at the G8 Summit in L'Aquila and the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh. The right to food is a human right, recognized by many nations. Often, however, there are still institutional deficits and lack of resources. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is ) global for Germany a central mediator and partner in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
