FOOD SECURITY IN THE MENA- MEDITERRANEAN REGION Aysen Tanyeri-Abur Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Sub-regional Office for North Africa

OBJECTIVES  Present an overview of main challenges to food security in the MENA Med countries  Highlight current concerns and constraints to address food availability and increasing dependence on imports (particularly cereals  List some possible measures to improve food security

FOOD SECURITY THREE MAIN DIMENSIONS  AVAILABILITY (supply)  ACCESS (consumption)  SUITABILITY (nutrition)

MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY IN THE MENA-MED COUNTRIES IN COMPARISON TO THE REST OF THE MED  Limited availability of land and water resources (availability)  High rates of population growth (availability, access)  Rapid urbanization due to limited jobs in rural areas (availability, access,nutrition)  Limitation of the domestic food systems to respond to demand (availability, nutrition, access)  Post Arab Spring challenges (access)

HIGH POPULATION GROWTH AND INVREASING URBANIZATION IN MENA MENANORTH MED TOTAL Millions 64,920202,084168,881280,396 Urban Population 36%56%55%74%

WATER RESOURCES IN THE MENA - ONLY 11% OF TOTAL RENEWABLE WATER RESOURCES OF THE MED TOTAL Renewable water resources (m 3 /pers) % change from Total MED North MED South MED

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN MENA  Mostly rainfed agriculture causing wide fluctuations in production  MENA produces only 20% of total cereals in the MED  Land area is 70% of total land area of the Mediterranean but in terms of arable land only 30% of arable land  Limited past investment in agriculture  Low productivity and low capital intensity  Low yields

Capital Intensity (Capital Stock/worker) in the MED

HIGH AND GROWING IMPORT DEPENDENCY – AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT FOOD- DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MENA AND NORTH MED COUNTRIES

Cereal Production and Demand MENA (Med) countries Million MT

Cereal Production and Demand Northern Med Million MT

Cereal Production and Demand Total Med countries

CHALLENGES RELATED TO  Cereal Import dependency ratios are % and increasing  Incerasing fiscal deficits  Economic crisis in Europe  High and volatile prices

ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY Efforts needed at national, regional and international levels National level:  Improvements in productivity (inputs, technology, extension)  Promoting efficient supply chains (reduce waste, better logistics)  Targeted safety nets for the vulnerable populations  Better management of risks associated with high import dependency (Food reserves, Future contracts)

ADRESSING FOOD SECURITY  Regional Level  Cooperation in policies affecting pricing of common resources  Cooperation in harmonizing trade policies  Strengthening infrastructure in the region  Improve market information systems and coordination of action to respond to world market volatility  International Level – counter market volatility new financing mechanisms

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