Developing countries need more investments, especially in agriculture, to ensure their populations don't go hungry, the pope said in a message to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization on World Food Day.
"This crisis requires governments and the members of the international community to make determined and effective choices," Benedict said in the message read at an FAO ceremony. "Access to food is more than a basic need, it is a fundamental right of individuals and peoples." [Just as the right to life!]
Benedict has frequently spoken out on the crisis, calling for a new world financial order guided by ethics and urging the world not let its poorest and most vulnerable inhabitants suffer the consequences of the downturn. [So much for the world's need , but not for a few powerful's greed!]
The crisis "is especially serious for the agricultural world, where the situation becomes dramatic," Benedict said in his message. "Agriculture must have at its disposal enough investments and resources." [Here in the Philippines, sons and daughters of farmers leave the field to become nurses or call center agents, while farms are being converted into housing projects, malls or golf courses! And as I know from sources, because of powerful businessmen and politicians. Their solution to low food production? Instead of supporting local farmers, they allow imported goods to come in. So what does the poor farmer who is not earning enough going to do? Sell the field.]
The FAO said this week that aid and investment in agriculture have been declining over the past two decades, contributing to increased hunger. [Yet America's and the world's richest and powerful have more obese people! No offense meant.]
This year, the number of hungry people around the world reached 1.02 billion amid high food prices and the global financial meltdown, according to the Rome-based agency.
The FAO says global food output will have to increase by 70 percent to feed a projected population of 9.1 billion in 2050. To achieve that, poor countries will need $44 billion in annual agricultural aid, compared with the current $7.9 billion.
Earlier Friday, among other events to mark World Food Day, the FAO named five new goodwill ambassadors including track and field great Carl Lewis and fashion designer Pierre Cardin.
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The UN IMHO is turning out more papers than actions. Hmmm.... sound familiar. We need more concrete actions. Lives are at stake. Some countries have an excess of food that they use it for "fun" like the annual tomato festival where people waste tons of tomato just for....tradition and fun. I am a conservative traditionalist. But this is one tradition that must STOP!
Here in the Philippines, people are so hungry they eat food straight from the garbage cans!
If a picture says a thousand words, then see this picture below. (Thanks topitikbulagdokyu.blogspot.com for the photo. No copyright infringement intended.)
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And here is what I expect critics would say...
Pro abortion and contraception: "It's the Catholic Church's fault for the world's growing population!"
A so-so comedienne: Sell the Vatican to the feed the hungry!
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