5+ 5 countries: measures to better control the volatility of agricultural prices in the region

Experts from both sides of the Mediterranean have recommended, following the work of a seminar organized as part of the mechanism of the "5 +5" on food security in the Mediterranean, held on February 6 and 7 in Algiers, to optimize agricultural production and increase the supply of international food including through increased investment, securing farmers' incomes, APS reports.

To achieve better control of the impact of the volatility of agricultural prices and prevent instability of agricultural markets, the experts recommended the strengthening of cooperation between countries of the "5 +5" in the exchange of information and monitoring of agricultural prices in international markets.

They also emphasized the need to promote better regulation of markets for agricultural products and food in the region, taking into account the specificities of existing international frameworks and strategies and develop opportunities for complementarities in trade in agricultural products between the partner countries of the "5 +5". As such, the experts recommended to establish a mapping of agricultural potential complementarities in terms of supply and demand of agricultural products.

Emphasis was also focused on improving the effectiveness of the protection of vulnerable populations in times of crisis, food prices and also on the efficiency of food supply systems in cities, had Due to the significant growth of the urban population, particularly in countries of the south shore. They also called for the promotion of  the development of quality products and protection systems to maintain or create added value for agricultural communities and rural areas.

 To promote an adequate level of investment, both public and private investments in agriculture, infrastructure, research development and innovation, is another measure suggested by experts to meet the challenge of food security in the region. Creating a favorable fiscal framework, tax relief, access to micro-credit especially for small farmers and women entrepreneurs are all priority areas outlined by the same experts.

They called for the creation of a training and research integrated in the Euro-Mediterranean region and dissemination of know-how, experience and technology, the establishment of a permanent mechanism to compile an inventory of activities and research results recorded at the regional level. They have focused in this regard on the development of shared mechanisms of dissemination of scientific and technical information available in association with stakeholders and end users.

Moreover, the experts at the seminar suggested a few areas for partnership, including the establishment of an observatory on food security in member countries, developing complementarity in trade of agricultural products and strengthening the relationship between producers from both sides.

Other areas of cooperation were also identified by the experts who stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation among member countries of the of the "5 +5" in the context of national and regional strategies to support food security , the promotion of sustainable food and local products by working for the protection of distinctive signs of the origin of products.

The experts finally agreed to establish a working group to identify priority research programs at the regional level by supporting them with the necessary funding.

The group of "5 +5" is composed, for the south shore of Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Morocco, and Libya, while France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Malta represent the countries of the north shore.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Food Price Index (FFPI) averaged 214 points in January 2012, nearly 2 percent (4 points) up from December. The rebound represented the first upturn in the FFPI since July 2011 but the index remained 7 percent below its corresponding value last year. In January, prices of all the commodity groups that compose the Index registered gains, with oils increasing the most, followed closely by cereals, sugar, dairy and meat.