A strategic framework for improving food security in Arab countries

In 2007 and the first half of 2008, a sharp rise in agricultural commodity and food prices triggered grave concerns about food security, malnutrition and increased poverty. While the threat of a prolonged food-price shock receded in the second half of 2008, many factors underlying the price volatility are likely to persist, and will require careful management if future food-price shocks are to be avoided. This paper suggests three strategies that, together, could reduce vulnerability to price shocks: (1) strengthen safety nets, improve access to family planning services, and promote education; (2) enhance domestic food production and improve rural livelihoods through increased investment in research and development to increase productivity; and (3) reduce exposure to market volatility through more efficient supply chains and better use of financial instruments to hedge risk. The challenge of food security will require a global response, involving governments, international and regional funding and lending institutions, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector

A strategic framework for improving food security in Arab countries

PRISI; IFPRI3EPT

Food security and storage in the Middle East and North Africa

In times of highly volatile commodity markets, governments often try to protect their populations from rapidly-rising food prices, which can be particularly harsh for the poor. A potential solution for food-deficit countries is to hold strategic reserves, which can be called on when international prices spike. But how large should strategic stockpiles be? This paper develops a dynamic storage model for wheat in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where imported wheat dominates the average diet. The paper uses the model to analyze a strategy that sets aside wheat stockpiles, which can be used when needed to keep domestic prices below a targeted price. This paper shows that if the target is set high and reserves are adequate, the strategy can be effective and robust. Contrary to most interventions, strategic storage policies are counter-cyclical and, when the importing region is sufficiently large, a regional policy can smooth global prices. This paper shows that this is the case for the MENA region. Nevertheless, the policy is more costly than the pro-cyclical policy of a targeted intervention that directly offsets high prices with a subsidy similar to food stamps.Lorsque les prix des matières premières sont très volatiles, les gouvernements essayent généralement de protéger leur population d'une augmentation rapide des prix agricoles. Une solution potentielle pour des pays importateurs nets de produits agricoles est de maintenir des stocks de réserve, qui peuvent être utilisés lorsque les prix mondiaux augmentent fortement. Mais quelle doit être la taille de telles réserves? Cet article développe un modèle dynamique de stockage pour le marché du blé dans la région Moyen Orient et Afrique du Nord, où le blé importé représente une part prépondérante de l'alimentation. Ce modèle est utilisé pour analyser une stratégie dans laquelle des stocks servent à maintenir les prix domestiques en dessous d'une cible. Nous montrons que si la cible est choisie suffisamment haute et les réserves sont adéquates, la stratégie peut être effective et robuste. Contrairement à la plupart des interventions, une politique de stockage stratégique est contra-cyclique et, lorsque la région importatrice est suffisamment large, une telle politique régionale peut lisser les variations du prix mondial. C'est le cas, dans ce travail, pour la région Moyen Orient et Afrique du Nord. Néanmoins, cette politique est plus coûteuse qu'une politique d'intervention ciblée qui limitent directement les hausses de prix par une subvention