The World Bank pledges $12 billion annually to transform food security in Middle East and North Africa into an economic opportunity.
The World Bank is shifting the focus of food security in the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan-Pakistan region from mere survival to a catalyst for economic diversification, investing $12 billion each year.
Food insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa and Afghanistan and Pakistan now involves more than just the availability of food on plates. It is a test of a region's ability to manage scarce resources, diversify trade, attract investment, create jobs, and handle geopolitical and climate shocks. More than 142 million people live in the region in a situation of food insecurity, and 42 percent of the population cannot afford a nutritious diet. The World Bank expects global demand for food to rise by approximately 67 percent by 2050. To meet this rising demand, the bank says meeting it requires a change in how resources are managed, specifically water, and an increase in investments in irrigation efficiency and agricultural innovation. The World Bank estimates the region needs roughly $12 billion annually for these purposes. Water scarcity remains a significant constraint on expanding food production without depleting natural reserves.
