(29 Apr 08 - RV) Leading figures from the United Nations have been meeting in Switzerland
to chart a solution to dramatic food price increases. The rises have caused hunger,
and riots in poorer countries around the world.
A number of countries across
Asia have suspended rice exports amid fears that insufficient domestic supplies could
lead to acute instability.
Nicholas Minot is senior researcher at the Washington-based
institute for food policy research. He told us more about some of the causes and
what the international community can do in the short and longer term to alleviate
the shortages affecting poor nations.