food rather than' shortage. The developing countries generally were affli­ cted by malnutrition and hunger but the centre of gravity had shifted from Asia to Africa, and Africa's food and development poroblems were proving much wider and deeper than had formerly been thought. 243. He reiterated his organization's commitment to eradicate hunger and malnutrition, attacking the political, economic and social barriers to equitable access to food*by mobilizing external resources and political support, encouraging debate and dialogue to sharpen perceptions of the true nature and causes of the crisis, and assisting African countries in formulating and implementing appropriate food policies and strategies. The World Food Council was working closely with several United Nations, international and national organizations. 249, He spoke of the need to establish a link between short-term and emergency relief operations and longer-term development, to train African experts in food policy, to involve African women, and to learn from the Asian experience of increased food production, urging African Governments to accord agriculture the priority it deserved, and developed countries to dismantle their protectionist trade barriers against imports from developing countries. The potential existed for eradicating hunger, if there was the will. 250, The representative of the World Meteorological Organization informed the meeting that drought was commonplace in dry climates; Africa therefore needed to develop agricultural production methods, inputs and water management systems which would enable it to endure prolonged droughts. Considerable efforts were being made under the World Climate Research Programme to determine the degree to which climate could be predicted and the extent of man's influence on it. 251, After describing his organization's activities at the national and subregional levels in Africa he spoke about the proposed African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) to act as a meteorological and hydrological watch for the whole of Africa, an idea emanating from the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the issues of hunger, malnutrition, and food production in Africa, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions and international cooperation. The focus is on developing countries, and the text mentions the role of international organizations, trade barriers, and climate research in addressing these issues. The text also touches on the importance of education, training, and women's involvement in food policy.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Humanitarian aid and relief