Development bank: Climate change could increase hunger in Pacific

Manila - Climate change is seriously affecting food production in the Pacific region and could result in rise of hunger and malnutrition in the area, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday.

An ADB report urged Pacific nations to increase local food production, particularly of climate-resistant crops such as taro, yam and cassava, and to use new technologies to improve traditional production systems.

The report, titled Food Security and Climate Change in the Pacific: Rethinking the Options, said the Pacific region is already experiencing worsening coastal erosion, floods, drought, and storm surges as a result of climate change.

"Rising temperatures and rising tides due to climate change could reduce food supply in the Pacific. With over 10 million people in developing countries in the region, this is a threat that we cannot ignore," said report author Mahfuzuddin Ahmed, a senior economist in ADB's Pacific department.

Ahmed said there should also be increased investment in agricultural research and development as well as training in areas such as plant breeding and resource management.

"Communities need to work together to find the best way to adapt to changing agricultural needs and countries should also work with each other and with regional agencies," he said.//DPA