7 January 2013 – Severe food shortages are likely to occur in Asia by 2030, according to Fan Shenggen, Director General of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute. Mr Fan will attend the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong, 14-15 January, which will feature a panel discussion on food and agriculture.
“For Asia, I think the shortage will become even more severe over time,” said Mr Fan, in a 20 December interview with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), which is organising the AFF with the Hong Kong SAR Government. Mr Fan added that “climate change will hit both regions very hard and very quickly, and Asia probably will be hit particularly harder than Africa.”
He noted rising demand from Asia due to population growth, urbanisation and rising incomes. “The more urbanised, richer people will demand more and better food. So the demand side is a major problem in Asia,” he said. Increased investment in agriculture and in food production are “a must,” Mr Fan said. See below for a link to the full video interview.
Speakers at the AFF Panel discussion on Food & Agriculture, 15 January, will include Dr Colin Chartres, former Director General, International Water Management Institute; David Farley, CEO, Australian Agricultural Company; Brett Rierson, China Representative, United Nations World Food Programme; and Ismael Roig, President, Asia-Pacific, Archer Daniels Midland Company.
AFF Website: http://www.asianfinancialforum.com
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