Enter Task

Faculty:

Study area:

Subject:

Section:

Type:

Curriculum:

Sequence:

Title:

Wording:

Time:

hours

Introduction:

In the fall of 2008, the world was hit by food crises. Not because there is lack of food, as there is plenty. But because food prices rose due to speculations and food policies that hurt the Poor.

&nbsp;

Food, as well as clean water, have become commodities, something you can buy for money. If you do not have the money, you do not get it.

&nbsp;

Is this right, that while there is plenty of food in the world, millions of people go hungry? In 2009, 960 million people went hungry worldwide.

&nbsp;

Much food production in the world today is not about growing sufficient food to people who need it. It is about making profit for huge international companies that control major parts of the food production.

In 2007, India had 231 million people who went hungry, at the same time the country had a food surplus worth US$ 2.4 billion.

In 2003, the agrichemical business was dominated by 7 companies that control 90% of the business. 3 big companies control 80% of the banana trade. 4 companies control 80% of all beef packing.

Where the so called &ldquo;free market&rdquo; reigns, poor countries have been forced to open their boarders for big companies that out-compete local food. Today 70% of poor countries are net-importers of food. In the 1960s, in times of decolonization, Africa was a net exporter of food.

&nbsp;

There are different reasons for rising prices on food in 2008, and in 2011 they are still high.

A lot of maize production in USA is used for bio-fuel for cars, this presses up the food prices because it creates a shortage of maize as food.

Increased meat consumption in richer countries, where the animals are fed with maize or soy beans instead of grass, also presses up the prices on food staples.

The fact that a big part of the food production is controlled by few companies, make them able to change prices as it suite them as they do not have any competition on the so-called free market.

Increased prices in other sectors than food have been the case after the economic world crises in 2008, where many producers were forced to stop or cut down their production. When prices of fuel rise, it has effect on food prices since many food products are transported over long distances. Not only fuel has gone up in price, but also fertilizers, pesticides, and energy to run farm equipment. This also forces food prices up.

Droughts and unstable food production, due to the effects of global warming, limit the food supply, and put more pressure on prices. Australia had heavy droughts in 2007, with 60% less wheat and 90% less rice. When a big food exporting country is hit so massively, it forces the prices up.

Speculation on the food market prices makes great profit for investors, but very real price increases that hit the Poor.

The whole set-up of poor countries not fully controlling their own food production, and big food companies that produce for profit only, are not beneficial for people.&nbsp; The Poor who have least surplus in monetary means as well as in energy are the ones to pay the price.&nbsp;

Directive:

Preview:

Files:

Requirement:

No.

Title

Type

Edit

Delete

Examination:

Language:

Search words:

Status:

Vouching: