IFPRI, November 2008 Food price bubble, Source: Data from FAO 2008 and IMF 2008 Source: Data from FAO 2008 and IMF 2008.

IFPRI, November 2008 Sources and features of price increases 1.Energy cost, biofuel policies 2.Income and population growth 3.Climate shocks 4.Slow agricultural response 5.Market and trade policy 6.Speculation

Agriculture, Health, Nutrition during Crisis Marie Ruel and Joachim von Braun International Food Policy Research Institute Ministerial Forum on Research for Health Bamako, November 17-19, 2008

IFPRI, November 2008 Severe impacts of the food price crisis Poor people spend 50-70% of income on food and their wages do not adjust accordinglyPoor people spend 50-70% of income on food and their wages do not adjust accordingly A 50% increase in food prices in Bangladesh = 25% more prevalence of iron deficiency in women and children (Bouis 2008)A 50% increase in food prices in Bangladesh = 25% more prevalence of iron deficiency in women and children (Bouis 2008) Irreversible effects: withdrawal of girls from school, distress sale of productive assets, etc.Irreversible effects: withdrawal of girls from school, distress sale of productive assets, etc. Number of undernourished increased from 848 mil. in to 923 mil. in 2007 (FAO 2008)

IFPRI, November 2008 Financial crisis increasing the burden Short-term price relief from lower demand not sufficient for the poorShort-term price relief from lower demand not sufficient for the poor Credit crunch => less capital for agriculture and higher debt burden for small farmersCredit crunch => less capital for agriculture and higher debt burden for small farmers Policy attention diverted away from agriculturePolicy attention diverted away from agriculture Food price crisis now much harder to resolve; meeting the MGDs even more unlikely

IFPRI, November 2008 Agriculture-health linkages Agricultural Producers (farmers & workers) Agricultural Producers (farmers & workers) Occupation al health Agricultural Systems (type, method, practice, location) Agricultural Systems (type, method, practice, location) Agricultural Outputs (qty, qual, price, diversity) Agricultural Outputs (qty, qual, price, diversity) Labor (energy, time, amount) Labor (energy, time, amount) Environment (water, air, soil) Environment (water, air, soil) Income (amount, type, control) Income (amount, type, control) Access (food, med., health services) Access (food, med., health services) Water- associated vector- borne diseases (e.g. malaria) Nutrition Under- nutrition Diet- related chronic disease Food- borne illnesses HIV/AIDS Livestock- related illnesses Policy and Policy Process/Governance Agricultural Supply Chain Intermediary Processes Health Outcomes Source: Hawkes and Ruel, WHO Bull

IFPRI, November 2008 Originated with the CGIAR; now includes several health partners, incl. WHOOriginated with the CGIAR; now includes several health partners, incl. WHO Goals:Goals: - Promote and coordinate scientific and policy research on ag-health linkages - Develop partnerships and draw on mutual strengths between sectors - Develop tools to link ag-hlth in research, policy and practice; disseminate, communicate - Improve health and livelihood of the poor

IFPRI, November 2008 Research priorities Identified as offering greatest opportunities for synergies between ag-health Low-cost, high- quality foods Diet and nutrition Food-borne diseases Value chain management of food safety Water-borne diseases Irrigation, water quality

IFPRI, November 2008 Research Prioritie (cont.) Agriculture and livelihood HIV/AIDS Zoonotic diseases Livelihoods Occupational health, child labor Labor, agriculture productivity, livelihoods

IFPRI, November 2008 Examples of win-win solutions BiofortificationBiofortification Homestead food productionHomestead food production - Producing fruit/vegetable, animal source foods for improved nutrition - Empowering women Local procurement of food assistanceLocal procurement of food assistance - Create markets for small farmers - for maternal and child health and nutrition or school feeding programs

IFPRI, November 2008 Getting the Research Agenda implemented: how? 1.Governments to formulate policies that create incentives –financial and other- for inter- sectoral collaboration that benefits more than single-sector policies 2.Bi- and multi-sectoral policy reviews to identify new policies that support cooperation 3.Health impact assessments to monitor health impacts of new agricultural project s and technologies 4.Tracing food-agriculture-health links along the food value chain in search of critical control points

IFPRI, November 2008 Conclusion Strengthening links between ag-health offers great opportunities for achieving poverty reduction and health goalsStrengthening links between ag-health offers great opportunities for achieving poverty reduction and health goals But will require:But will require: - That agriculture and health experts look beyond the bounderies of their traditional areas of action - Create a holistic approach to human, plant, animal health that improves well-being of millions of people

IFPRI, November 2008 Opportunities for Joint Action Conduct scientific and policy research on linkages – highlight synergies, start with win-win solutions Build strong partnerships to draw on mutual strengths (international, national, local levels) Promote dialogue, communication, dissemination to build common ground between researchers, policymakers and practitioners Develop and adapt methodological tools to link agriculture-gender- health-nutrition in research, policy and practice E.g. link Environmental and Health Impact Assessments Carry out multi-sectoral policy reviews