2015年2月英语六级听力训练:VOA标准英语
The Food and Agriculture Organization says Africa is the worlds most food insecure continent. The U.N. agency is holding its 28th Regional Conference on Africa this week in Tunis.
The FAO gave the bleak description of Africa despite some strong economic growth in recent years an average 4.8 percent increase in Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, between 2000 and 2010. It says the problem stems from low agricultural productivity, low incomes in rural areas and high rates of malnutrition.
There have been improvements, though. The FAO cites greater production of staple crops, the growing of better varieties of bananas in eastern and central Africa and the planting of higher yielding maize. Theres also greater production of cotton, teas and flowers. But the agency says its not enough to ensure food security for a growing population amid climate change.
FAO Assistant Director-General Bukar Tijani said the conference is focusing on greater investment in smallholder farmers. Women play the major role in such farms, but Tijani says there will now be an emphasis on attracting youth.
The theme of the conference itself is really to support youth in different endeavors of agriculture. But then we have to be very precise. We have to also be pulling youth into agriculture because agriculture is seen as a traditional, historical culture and not as farming or as enterprise or as business.
The FAO said agricultural production in African countries, on average, has increased slightly less than one-percent per year, compared with about two-percent in other developing countries.
Tijani said that Africas youth must see that agriculture is big business, not just a tradition. Entrepreneurship, he says, can be applied to agricultural products.
That is crops, livestock, , forest products and the value chain activities related to it, including technologies, communication, ICT everything that could attract youth into it because its big monies, he said.
Representatives of more than 50 countries are expected to attend the FAO regional meeting in Tunis. Theyre being asked to build on the continents economic growth to provide stable agriculture and fiscal policies that encourage investment.
The future of Africa or any generation lies in the youth. And that is why Im calling on youth to come into agribusiness so that you can have employment generation, wealth creation, incomes within agriculture across Africa, said Tijani.
The meeting also addresses policies to end hunger on the continent by 2025. The FAO said, Over the past decades, absolute levels of hunger and undernourishment remain worrying in sub-Saharan Africa. It added the Sahel and the Horn of Africa are of particular concern.
The regional meeting in Tunis runs until March 28.
上一篇: 2015年英语六级考试听力笔记(8)
下一篇: 2015年英语六级考试听力笔记(3)
国际英语资讯:Hollande, Merkel, Putin discuss how to implement Minsk peace deal
国内英语资讯:Dhaka gets facelift as euphoric reception awaits Chinas Xi to Bangladesh
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice premier to attend China-EU dialogue, visit Luxembourg
国内英语资讯:Chinese president sends message of condolences over passing of Thai King
国内英语资讯:Chinese president, Papua New Guinea governor-general exchange congratulations on anniversary
国内英语资讯:Xi calls for closer China-Bangladesh parliamentary exchanges
A Post Card from John
国际英语资讯:Yemens Houthi rebels deny loss of border crossing
国内英语资讯:CPC in Dialogue with the World 2016 opens in Chongqing
联邦调查局调查克林顿竞选负责人电邮被黑事件
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice president attends China-LAC business summit
联合国即将任命新秘书长
国内英语资讯:China Focus: Premier Li wraps up Macao visit, announces support measures
国内英语资讯:Xi leaves for Cambodia, Bangladesh, BRICS summit
联合国秘书长潘基文2016年世界精神卫生日致辞
Zoom’s Weekend
国际英语资讯:Gene editing offers hope for curing sickle cell anemia
2016年世界教师日致辞
国内英语资讯:Xiangshan Forum reaches consensus on maritime security
国内英语资讯:China mourns Thai kings passing
联合国人权事务高级专员:川普将是“危险的”总统
国际英语资讯:Paramilitary trooper killed, 8 wounded in Indian-controlled Kashmir militant attack
又有5名女子指控川普性骚扰 丑闻持续升温!
国内英语资讯:Full text of Chinese presidents signed article in Cambodian newspaper
国内英语资讯:Premier Li calls for creating better future of Macao
叙利亚停火前景渺茫,避免冲突扩大化成为关注焦点
国内英语资讯:Interview: Cambodian politicians, scholars hail Chinese President Xis signed article on Si
国内英语资讯:Xi pledges to strengthen party-to-party exchanges with Bangladesh
国际英语资讯:Vitamin treatment unlocks door to stem cell therapies: New Zealand scientist
国内英语资讯:Chinese president welcomes opportunities for China-Bangladesh ties