KUALA LUMPUR: Developing Muslim countries sought ways Thursday to help their farmers boost production and prevent the global economic downturn from choking the steady supply of affordable food.
Agriculture ministers and business officials from eight nations began a two-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur to discuss cooperation on food, including possibly setting up special funds to tackle potential problems in supply and prices.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said food security was not only a prerequisite for social and economic development but also a necessary condition for domestic stability.
The shortfall in food production and high food prices are being compounded by the global financial crisis, Abdullah said in a speech presented by his deputy at the meeting.
The meeting s focus was to help resource-poor farmers increase production by making high-quality seeds, fertilizer and animal feed more easily available.
The other countries participating in the talks were Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Egypt and Nigeria.
Officials from Bangladesh and Iran have said they will propose creating food banks or emergency funds to help stabilize prices and supply, including in the wake of natural disasters. -AP
