Peringatan Bencana Krisis Pangan Global - Special Interview Chief Economist FAO, Máximo Torero

Summary

The world is currently facing a food access crisis, worsened by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, leading to rising food prices and disrupted supply chains. The coming year will focus on food availability, with countries like Indonesia at risk due to fertilizer price hikes. The G20 plays a critical role in addressing global food insecurity by promoting transparency, open trade, and sustainable practices. Initiatives like the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) aim to reduce volatility, ensuring the stability of food systems worldwide while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 The world is currently facing a major food access crisis, with food prices reaching historical highs and still remaining elevated, impacting people with limited resources.
• 😀 The food access problem was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, which disrupted food and fertilizer supply chains.
• 😀 Russia and Ukraine are major global exporters, accounting for 30% of the world's grain exports and a significant portion of fertilizers, affecting global food prices.
• 😀 Climate change also contributed to food price increases before the pandemic, adding to the global instability in food markets.
• 😀 In 2025, food availability is expected to be the next major challenge, after the current issues surrounding food access.
• 😀 Indonesia, despite significant progress in rice production, faces risks from increased fertilizer prices, which could impact its agricultural sector.
• 😀 To mitigate these risks, it's essential for countries to maintain effective policies that support agriculture, ensuring farmers remain able to produce enough food.
• 😀 The G20 forum plays a crucial role in addressing global food security by facilitating cooperation among the world's most developed countries.
• 😀 One of the G20's initiatives, the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), aims to improve transparency in food production and stock information, helping to reduce volatility.
• 😀 The G20 supports open trade policies, ensuring food flows freely across borders, which is essential for global food stability and sustainability.
• 😀 The G20 also focuses on sustainability, economic growth, and addressing food safety while considering the challenges posed by climate change.

Q & A

What is the current global food insecurity crisis and what factors have contributed to it?

The global food insecurity crisis is mainly caused by the rising cost of food, which began escalating during the COVID-19 pandemic and was further worsened by the war in Ukraine. The war disrupted the supply of key agricultural exports, particularly from Ukraine and Russia, which are major suppliers of grains and fertilizers. Other contributing factors include the ongoing effects of climate change and geopolitical conflicts.

How has the war in Ukraine exacerbated the food insecurity situation?

The war in Ukraine has significantly impacted global food security because both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of grains (especially wheat) and fertilizers. The disruption of supply chains due to the conflict has led to higher food prices and a lack of availability, making it more difficult for countries that depend on these imports to access affordable food.

What role does climate change play in the rising food prices?

Climate change contributes to food insecurity by affecting crop production through extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. These environmental factors reduce agricultural yields, making food more expensive and less accessible for those who rely on stable supply chains.

How has Indonesia managed to mitigate the effects of global food insecurity, especially regarding rice production?

Indonesia has made significant progress in rice production and currently produces enough rice for domestic consumption, even exporting surplus rice. This achievement is attributed to effective agricultural policies, which help ensure the country's resilience to global food price fluctuations. However, challenges remain due to rising fertilizer prices and other input costs.

What is the primary challenge Indonesia might face in the near future regarding food security?

The main challenge Indonesia might face is the availability of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. Rising fertilizer prices could lead to reduced rice production, affecting both farmers' incomes and food supply. Ensuring that fertilizers remain accessible and affordable is crucial for maintaining agricultural output.

What role does the G20 play in addressing global food insecurity?

The G20 brings together the world's most developed countries and facilitates cooperation on critical issues like food security. The G20 supports initiatives such as the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), which provides transparency and information on food production and stock levels, helping to reduce volatility in the global food market. The G20 also encourages keeping trade flows open and promoting sustainability in food production.

How has the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) helped mitigate food insecurity?

AMIS has helped by providing more accurate and timely information on global agricultural production and food stocks, enabling governments, organizations, and markets to make better decisions. This transparency helps reduce volatility and improve planning, ultimately contributing to greater stability in food access.

Why is it important to keep trade flows open to address food insecurity?

Keeping trade flows open is crucial to ensuring that food can move from surplus regions to areas with shortages. Trade restrictions or blockades can exacerbate food insecurity by limiting the availability of essential commodities, driving up prices, and making food less accessible to vulnerable populations.

What is the significance of the G20's focus on sustainability in addressing food security?

The G20's emphasis on sustainability is important because sustainable agricultural practices help ensure long-term food production without degrading the environment. Addressing climate change and promoting sustainable farming techniques can help build resilience against future food crises, ensuring that the world can meet its growing food demands without depleting natural resources.

How will the global food insecurity crisis likely evolve in the coming years?

While food access remains a critical challenge in the short term, the focus for the coming year will likely shift toward food availability. As countries work to stabilize supply chains and address rising input costs like fertilizers, there will be a greater emphasis on ensuring that food production meets global demand, with a strong focus on sustainable practices and international cooperation.