Food Security and The Big Picture

Weather Report: Food Security — The Current “Big Picture”

• “Food scare sparks developing world land rush: think tank” headline from reuters.com on 4/29/09 gives a broad overview of the effects of high food prices with burgeoning populations on governmental and private investment in extra-national farm land. Here are some of the articles highlights:
• “High food prices fueled a land-buying spree in developing nations, particularly in Africa, by countries and private investors wanting to assure food supplies for themselves …”
• The spate of land purchases “is truly a consequence” of abrupt increase in food prices in 2007 and 2008; and by fears that stockpiles would run short, Von Braun (International Food Policy Research Institute’s Director General) said.
• “Food importing countries with land and water constraints but rich in capital, such as the Gulf states, are at the forefront of new investments in farmland abroad,” …
• “In addition, countries with large populations and food security concerns such as china, South Korea, and India are seeking opportunities to produce food overseas” …

“Argentina to Plant Smallest Wheat Crop on Record” says the Bloomberg.com headline from 5/1/09. The Matthew Craze article offers important insights and here are some of his key points:

• “Argentina will plant the smallest wheat crop on record because of drought and export restrictions the Buenos Aires Cereal Exchange said.
• The exchange today lowered it’s soybean harvest estimate to 34 million metric tons, down from a previous 36.2 million tons … . Argentina is the worlds third-largest soybean grower.
• The government taxes wheat at 28 percent and restricts exports to provide sufficient supplies for the domestic milling industry … .

“Shaved Heads Keeps Barbers Idle as Drought Sears California” is the headline at Bloomberg.com from 5/6/09 piece written by Ryan Flinn and Jeran Wittenstein. Their article offers these agricultural insights:

“Businesses are casualties of the three year drought that is forcing farmers to leave HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES FALLOW (caps ours) in the Central Valley, the semi-arid agricultural region running 400 miles (600 kilometers) down the middle of the state.. The drought may cost the valley 35,000 jobs (Note: we’ve read between 50 – 60,000 in other articles) and $959 million in lost revenue this year, …

Food security should be a key concern for every prudent home. It’s foundation rests at the family level on two pillars: a sound food storage program and a sustainable food production effort.

Physician Ira Holland, a co-founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, was noted as saying that “Global grain stocks stand at 48 days, lower than at any point in the past five decades” and that

“These stocks would not provide any significant reserve in the event of a sharp decline in production. We would see hoarding on a global scale.” (newscientist.com/article, 10/3/07, entitled “ Regional nuclear war could trigger mass starvation” by Rob Edwards –thanks to survivalblog.com of 5/6/09)

This is a snapshot of some of the situations relating to the current status of world and national food security. We urge you and your family to monitor these types of situations carefully and prepare accordingly.

Next week, PrudentHome will be offering some more specifics to aid families in moving toward family food security. Until then, keep your eyes on the horizon as the weather’s changing fast