jezebel873 ([info]jezebel873) wrote in [info]so_very_doomed,
@ 2008-04-23 06:07:00
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Food doom
WFP cuts school meals as food crisis grows. “The World Food Programme said yesterday that it has begun to cut the provision of school meals to some of the world's poorest children as the global crisis over food prices worsens.”

Roots of Asia’s rice crisis. “For decades, governments have been encouraging a boom in services and skyscrapers, but not the capacity to grow more rice. Financing in agriculture has stagnated, and fewer farmers are expected to produce more rice for exploding populations.”

World Bank says Thai curb on rice exports would deepen crisis. “World Bank officials are concerned that pressure is growing in Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, to restrict the nation's exports of the staple and worsen a global food crisis.”

Japan's hunger becomes a dire warning for other nations. “Japan's acute butter shortage, which has confounded bakeries, restaurants and now families across the country, is the latest unforeseen result of the global agricultural commodities crisis... Last week, as the prices of wheat and barley continued their relentless climb, the Japanese Government discovered it had exhausted its ¥230 billion budget for the grains with two months remaining. It was forced to call on an emergency ¥55 billion reserve to ensure it could continue feeding the nation.“

Afghans protest skyrocketing food prices. “Hundreds of people angry over the rising cost of food demonstrated in eastern Afghanistan Tuesday... Many demonstrators expressed anger with Pakistan - upon which Afghans are heavily reliant for food imports. Pakistan has recently slowed its exports due to its own concerns about rising food prices.”

Food prices drag down Garcia's popularity in Peru. “President Alan Garcia's approval rating sank to the lowest level of his second term, hammered by rising food prices that have stoked public discontent, according to an opinion poll published on Sunday.”

Rice shortage in Philippines may mean more trouble for Arroyo. “Rice futures had their biggest weekly gain in at least seven years last week on concerns export curbs by China and Vietnam will spread as importing nations struggle to feed their people. The Philippines, the biggest rice importer, received offers for only two-thirds of the grain it sought to buy on April 17.”

Food for America's famished. “Americans are a generous sort but not as much in a weak economy with food prices climbing more than 5 percent a year. Donations to private food banks are off 9 by percent. A CNN poll finds nearly 1 in 3 people already cutting back on food. Hunger, once again, is rising in America.”



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Since January
[info]mikecane2008.wordpress.com
2008-04-23 05:34 pm UTC (link)
I've been covering this on my blog since January.

Visit and click on the :"Depression 2.0" Category or Search "food."

Today's (so far!) posts:

http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/chronicles-of-depression-20-053/
http://mikecane2008.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/chronicles-of-depression-20-054/

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Food Doom
[info]theheretic
2008-04-23 07:23 pm UTC (link)
I start to feel sorry for Japan but then I remember they hardly pay their Rice farmers and most of the paddies aren't growing crops like they should. Japan is good at planning. I suspect the farmers were waiting to drive up the price and put in some new subsidies to get them able to make a better living at it. So people in Japan get thinner or have to eat other foods. They won't starve for it.

As for the rest: "You've had 18 months to plant crops, and 6 years of warnings of grain insufficient to meet demand. You waited until the last moment and now *SHOCK!* you're up the creek." Save our pity for people who deserve it.

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Re: Food Doom
[info]xiv_gemina
2008-04-24 10:56 pm UTC (link)
What, like the people who have seen global agricultural commodities prices driven down (by metanats) to levels at which they cannot make a living?

And so who grow opium poppies/coca plants instead?

Or perhaps you mean their poorly-paid compatriots who are now running out of food?

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