US to announce food security plan for Africa

US President Barack Obama is set to announce a $3bn (£1.9bn) plan to boost food security and farm productivity in Africa, US officials say.

They say the initiative is aimed at alleviating shortages as world food supplies are being stretched by rising demand in Asia’s emerging markets.

Food security is expected to be on the agenda of this weekend’s G-8 meeting.

The summit near Washington is being dominated by Europe’s debt crisis and a possible Greek exit from the eurozone.

You cannot have stability and security as long as regions and countries and communities are deeply food-insecure”

End Quote Rajiv Shah USAID head

President Obama is expected to announce investments in African agriculture by private US companies, for a total of more than $3bn.

The head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Rajiv Shah, said the move shows the administration’s commitment to boosting world food production as rising wealth in Asia drives consumption.

“By taking this new approach, we believe that it’s possible to move 50 million people out of the condition of poverty and hunger,” he told reporters.

“You cannot have stability and security as long as regions and countries and communities are deeply food-insecure.”

The UK and other G8 nations as well as African countries, aid agencies and multinational companies will also take part in what will be known as the New Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security.