Global Food Crisis: United States To Provide $100 Million 

The United States of America has pleadged to provide an initial $100 million through the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, VACS, as part of its Feed the Future, program in tackling the price spikes, food insecurity, social unrest, political tensions, and conflicts.

VACS program is expected to first focus on the African continent and would include mapping and analyzing soils, promoting better farm management, and mitigating drought effects.

 This was contained in a statement by Secretary Anthony J. Blinken, on Thursday, July 13 from Office of the Spokesperson, U.S. Department Of State, on the global food crisis.

According to him, the United States had long been at the forefront of tackling global food insecurity, adding that US remained steadfast in its leadership through its focus on two crucial dimensions of immediate emergency response and long-term strategies for sustainable productivity.

He explained that Global food demand would increase by more than 50 percent in 2050, stating that due to climate change, agriculture yields of major crops could decrease over that same period.

He stressed that the dangerous combination could lead to price spikes, food insecurity, social unrest, political tensions, and conflict.

Blinken observed that the world would never achieve food security without fertile soils and adapted and productive crops, disclosing that the United States was providing an initial $100 million through the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) program.  

The Full statement:

"The United States has long been at the forefront of tackling global food insecurity, and we remain steadfast in our leadership through our focus on two crucial dimensions: immediate emergency response and long-term strategies for sustainable productivity.

"Global food demand will increase by more than 50 percent in 2050, but due to climate change, agriculture yields of major crops could decrease over that same period.  This dangerous combination could lead to price spikes, food insecurity, social unrest, political tensions, and conflict.

"We will never achieve food security without fertile soils and adapted and productive crops.  The United States is providing an initial $100 million through the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) program.  

"As part of Feed the Future, VACS will initially focus on the African continent and will include mapping and analyzing soils, promoting better farm management, and mitigating drought effects.  It will also foster crop varieties resilient to climate change, pests, extreme weather, and variable rainfall.

"With this assistance, we are continuing to support critical agricultural development programs.  We are also committed to partnering with the international community on food security initiatives that lead to nutritious adapted crops and healthy soils for sustainable agriculture." The statement reads.