April 9
By Sung Lee
Today's top stories on global agricultural development and food security issues.
Africa: 'Govts' Apathy's Threatening Agricultural Development Financing', AllAfrica.com, April 9
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has said that the indifference exhibited by some African governments towards agricultural development could discourage philanthropic organization’s from giving grants to their agricultural sectors. Stressing the need for governments' obligation to invest in agriculture, Regina Kapinga said their interest in any agricultural project tends to underscore the importance of that project in the development and wellbeing of the people.
Food security must remain a top priority for African governments, Opinion, Karim Sadek, Daily Monitor, April 9
The challenge of achieving long-term food security in Africa is real and the need is urgent. We believe large-scale farming using global best practices is the most efficient, scalable and sustainable way to achieve food security while ensuring that smallholders and pastoralist migrants have access to land and resources as well as employment opportunities.
Food Prices Push Rate of Inflation Up in China, New York Times, April 9
In China, where millions struggle to make ends meet and where food makes up a large chunk of household spending, inflation is a particularly sensitive topic. Sharp rises in the prices of consumer goods and housing last year catapulted inflation to the top of Beijing’s list of economic worries and prompted the authorities to announce a series of steps designed to reduce growth and the inflation that accompanied it.
How to Fix the World Bank, Opinion, Thomas J. Bollyky, New York Times, April 8
Regardless of whether Dr. Kim is the right choice — and I happen to believe he is an inspired choice — his candidacy and the bank will suffer unless the United States takes the high ground and uses this controversy to reform how the institution is governed. Only by embracing a competitive election process can the United States ensure that Dr. Kim will have the mandate to revitalize an institution long resistant to change.
Criticism Over U.S.'s World Bank Pick Swells, Wall Street Journal, April 8
If he becomes the next World Bank chief, the Obama administration's nominee will stand out from his recent predecessors. A Wall Street Journal review of Dr. Kim's academic articles, testimony and other remarks over the past two decades show the global health expert has repeatedly pressed for more foreign aid to poorer nations, but has scant experience in many of the global lender's typical financial and economic concerns.
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