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Despite Economy, Aid Still Needed Around World

In response to the global financial crisis, Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General Jacques Diouf warns that governments should avoid reducing aid to developing countries' agriculture and introducing protectionist trade measure. He says that offers no solutions.

In a statement marking the 34th Session of FAO's Committee on World Food Security, now taking place, Diouf warned that such steps could increase the risk of another food crisis occurring next year despite the expected record 2008 cereal harvest.

FAO's latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, forecast cereal harvest to increase 4.9 percent to a record 2,232 million tons. Some 36 countries around the world are still in need of external assistance for such reasons as crop failures, conflict or insecurity, or continuing local high prices.