Conflict, climate extremes and COVID-19 have disrupted food production and supply chains causing hardship and uncertainty for farmers and consumers worldwide. Today, around 735 million people are experiencing hunger. More than two billion people suffer one or more micronutrient deficiencies, compromising immune systems, slowing child growth and development, and undermining human potential. And about 30% of the global population – 2.4 billion people – are considered food insecure. The global food system is not delivering on its most fundamental mission: to provide adequate, nutritious food for ..read more

Nearly twenty million Afghans — half the population — are experiencing hunger and the country may face outright famine this coming winter. The only way to avert mass starvation is for the Taliban, the country’s de facto rulers, and the Western powers that control the flow of aid to Afghanistan to cooperate. This is how disaster was averted last winter. Yet the two sides are in a logjam — Western powers want the Taliban to rescind restrictions on women’s rights and the Taliban wants Western powers to lift crippling sanctions and accept its legitimacy. During the Soviet occupation of Afghan ..read more

Fisheries are significant renewable resources for Pacific Island, Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean countries. They underpin food supplies and assist economic growth. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing) has a direct social impact and can threaten fish stock sustainability, marine biodiversity, food security, revenue and livelihoods. Combatting IUU fishing is a top priority across the Indo-Pacific, however, different countries face different challenges. A recent report by the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) looks at how Australia can combat ..read more

In West Africa, as in many parts of the world, people are interacting more and more with many and different animal species. This interaction is changing host-pathogen dynamics and infection epidemiologies, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases (diseases that are transmitted between humans and animals), and the emergence of novel pathogens in new species or habitats. In particular, zoonotic threats like Ebola virus disease and Lassa fever have created serious challenges in West Africa. Their recurrence, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic woes, is posing a multifaceted ..read more

Quantitative studies of interhousehold transfers in Papua New Guinea are few and far between. In 1982-83, a study was conducted of interhousehold transfers in urban areas, with a focus on poorer households. While some papers were published at the time, a comprehensive report on this study has just been published, in January 2023. The study covered four urban census units in Port Moresby and Madang, selected because in the 1980 census each had a high proportion of households without wage-earners. The four census units were Nine Mile and Gordons Ridge settlements in Port Moresby, and Wagol settl ..read more

When my late colleague Tom Betitis and I were surveying village agriculture on Bougainville Island, we stopped in Igau Village in the Kieta area. As we walked with villagers to the garden area, I noticed a few chili plants and asked the landowner whether his family grew them for sale. He responded: Bifo mipela i salim sampela sili. Tasol mipela i les long sili. Emi bikpela wok na mipela i kisim liklik mani. Previously we sold some chilies. However, we grew tired of growing chili for sale as this required a lot of work for a small cash return. “Bikpela wok na liklik mani” – “big w ..read more

About the author/s Lydia Papandrea Lydia is the Managing Editor of Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies and Co-editor of the DevPolicy Blog ..read more

Sago is one of the most important carbohydrates in Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is refined from the sago palm tree (Metroxylon sagu), which is widespread in lowland areas of the country, especially in Western and Sepik provinces. PNG is the second largest producer of sago starch worldwide. The sago palm is incredibly resilient. It can withstand variations in water availability, salinity, and acidity, and is resistant to most diseases and pests. A fully mature sago palm provides up to 300 kg of starch when the tree is harvested. 100 g of sago provides 86 g of carbohydrate, and it has a low glycae ..read more

The impacts of COVID-19 have added a new layer to the region’s development challenges. The economic costs of the pandemic, and the collapse of international travel, have strained countries’ support systems. For countries like Fiji and Vanuatu, it has inflicted deep economic hardship on a wide range of sectors, but in particular the tourism sector, where many have been left struggling in the aftermath of livelihood losses. Among the many distressing accounts, there are also positive reports though. Drawing on recent economic data from Vanuatu, Howes and Surandiran outline how Vanuatu’s economy ..read more

Food prices are rising across the world. What initially seemed to be a temporary spike as supply chains shut down in the early days of the pandemic now appears to be here to stay. The FAO’s Food Price Index hit its highest point in a decade in May 2021, reflecting surging prices for oils, sugar and cereals, along with high but stable prices for meat and dairy produce. In June and July the index fell, but remains up by over 30% year-on-year. Food prices were rising pre-COVID, but the pandemic has intensified the trend. Supply chain disruption, rising shipping costs, poor growing conditions in e ..read more