Recurrent food crises in developing countries have put global food security high on the agenda of this year's G20 Summit in Mexico. The challenges of global food security are daunting: by 2050 the world will need to feed an estimated nine billion people–an increase of two billion on current population figures. At the same time, three-quarters of the world's poorest people live in rural areas which are already struggling to produce enough food.
Australia is playing a leading role in helping to address this challenge, including through its support for G20 action to produce more food for the world's growing population. At Mexico's G20 Summit in Los Cabos, Prime Minister Gillard joined Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and British Prime Minister David Cameron to launch AgResults, a new initiative to bring cutting-edge technology to the world's poorest farmers, fishers and herders. In its first stages, AgResults will help to improve crop storage, fight crop disease and produce more nutritious food. Future work will concentrate on achieving game-changing advances in green fertiliser and animal vaccines.
Following today's leaders' announcement of joint funding for AgResults, the Prime Minister announced that Australia will be providing $20 million towards a fund for the initiative over three years. Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and the Gates Foundation have also announced contributions to the fund.
In addition to providing funding, Australia has coordinated an international concept note for the initiative, which works by offering results-based financial incentives to reward successful delivery of new technologies to the world's poorest smallholders.
Food security is integral to Australia's efforts to support sustainable economic development, itself one of the Australian aid program's five strategic goals.
More information
- Prime Minister's media release: New initiative to combat global hunger
- Prime Minister's speech: Remarks at the launch of Ag Results initiative
- AusAID's food security work
External websites