With 10-20 million people residing in some of the world's largest urban areas (Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, etc) we have a situation unique in human history, when very large populations are dependent upon huge daily transports of food. It doesn't take much in the way of social unrest, and changes in growing conditions, etc. to make for widespread shortages.
This is only the beginning.

douglas gray, Los Angeles,

I have seen this coming since the early 90's and have been called some awfully bad names for what I said but I never gave up telling people to get prepared, for those who would not listen, I told you so, now learn to survive, I and my family have prepared and can live off the land and can stay hidden for months. The contollers are going to bring about a total economic collapse and let nature wipe out about 120-150M people, that will make it easier to control and support the few remaining and yes I believe they are telling us a lot on the show Jericho, the best way to convince people to lay down and quit is to cause a great panic, cause the problem, offer the solution, the CIA has operated this way since 1947.
Take control of the four things that run civilization, Religion, Politics, Money and Education as told by the first four seals of Revelation and there you have it, done deal.

Ben G, Mountain Home, , AR

we are one meal away from complete breakdown and chaos , it is already been planed and is what they want and need! disarm the people,control the food,............ it has been a long time coming. i only hope it is soon.....i have a family ..... john ,longwood,fl.

john, longwood, fl.

We keep being told that we have nothing to worry about. Our economy is doing great! I have watched gas, food, and daily products rise in prices that make my head spin. The government has too much control. If you really want to see where we are going, watch Jericho. It is TV, I know, but there is truth in this show of what is to come.

LaVurn Ganson, Mendo, USA

When civilization breaks down in this way, the government has failed. Do not accept their further solutions, the time has come to overthrow.

Rumple Stiltskin, New York, USA

This food problem is going to get alot worse due in part to the big corporations controlling a large extent of the farming and the govt's insistance on bio-fules as the cure to our energy problems. Until the wrold becomes more efficient at utilizing resources plan on prices rising to continue to be a common thread in our daily existence. And it surely does not help that the wrold financial situation will only add fuel to the brush fire that's in everyone's back yard.

DLB, Cincinnati, OH

Having diets switched to a vegetarian/vegan regime, would have deep consequences in many fields, including climate changes, halting destruction of forests, even changing of moods in people.
Start changing the world with your own example.

Henry Nold, Darmstadt, Germany

I expect a full-blown famine throughout southern Africa -- INCLUDING South Africa -- within the year. The subcontinent 's food was always supplied by the commercial farmers of Zimbabwe and South Africa. But there are now no excess-food producers left in Zimbabwe while South Africa only has less than 10,000 crop-growers raising excess food on LESS THAN ONE PERCENT of the country's entire surface. These countries have been relying on foreign imports to feed their populations with. However with the hoarding of grain by many countries now a fact, combined with the soaring grain prices, the Red Cross Children's Hospital and the Tygerberg hospital in Cape Town now record hundreds of severely malnourished children being brought in for 'gastric problems'. These children are on the verge of starvation. In SOUTH AFRICA!

Adriana Stuijt, Dokkum, The Netherlands, Friesland

made reading of the multi-billions our 'World's Richest men' all the more uncomfortable. As a species we are still a cosmic disappointment.

LynUK, Rochdale, UK

I agree stephen.
Especially considering how we dont grow much food in thiis country.
I hear on a regular basis of how families are struggling to put a hot dinner on the table every night due to the rising fuel costs.I hear its working out cheaper to buy takeaway every night for some families.
People need to wake up and smell the non-existant coffee exports.
But hey this is England.What do we need to worry for?jk

Tracey, Derby, u.k.

The government is trying to play down these world food shortages, in case someone asks Brown-"what are you going to do about it"? Frankly he has no idea, but then no politician will face the question-"What is the UK population policy"? We have not long to find a solution.

David Vinter, Louth, Lincs., UK.

Surprising how many hum-drum stories have managed to push this potentially important news from the front pages. Something of a reflection of exactly how much 'sapiens' present in us - perhaps we should be christening ourselves "homo semi-sapiens"?

Stephen Lawrence, Cambridge, England