Global food security should be a top priority according to Jacques Diouf, director-general, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Speaking at the World Grain Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Diouf led a delegation of world agriculture ministers and officials from over 50 countries, including Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

"We have to build a more coherent and effective system of governance for world food security; we have to correct the policies and international trade system that have resulted in more hunger and poverty," said Mr. Diouf.

Starting in 2006, global food prices jumped sharply before peaking in 2008. Diouf points to the 60 percent increase in global prices for food commodities during these years as evidence of the need for global cooperation to stabilize food markets.

The important stock-to-use ratio, which is a measure of the supply of cereals, fell to an all-time low of 20.2 percent during the 2007/2008 season. Furthermore, food prices are still 17 percent higher than 2006 prices and 24 percent higher than 2005 prices.

The FAO estimates nearly 15 percent of the world population does not have enough food, which suggests chronic hunger continues to grow. There are 31 countries suffering from food emergencies: 20 in Africa, nine in Asia and the Near East and two in Central America and the Carribean.

Officials believe there must be more investment in local agriculture so nations can become self-sufficient and also dual players in international trade. However, such investment requires massive public works in infrastructure and training.

Current economic strife makes it difficult for foreign aid-private and public-to support developing nations. However, as food problems increase, high prices, scarcity and chronic hunger will drive nations into economic, health and political instability.

Instability leaves these nations vulnerable to extremist groups or authoritarian regimes looking to exploit the desperation and strife of the people. This would destabilize regions and pose greater threats to developed nations, particularly in the West.

Agriculture leaders must look to invest in developing local, sustainable farming to help nations build their own economic viability and self sufficiency. Nations with more advanced agriculture can also build their own food stockpiles that could insulate the global markets from supply and price shocks.

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