ITALY - Natural disasters are costing farmers in the developing world billions of dollars each year, with drought emerging as the most destructive in a crowded field of threats that also includes floods, forest fires, storms, plant pests, animal diseases outbreaks, chemical spills and toxic algal blooms.
According to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), between 2005 and 2015 natural disasters cost the agricultural sectors of developing country economies a staggering $96 billion in damaged or lost crop and livestock production. Half of that damage — $48 billion worth — occurred in Asia, says the report, which was launched today at a conference in Hanoi convened by Vietnam's government in collaboration with FAO.
Drought — which recently has battered farmers in all corners of the globe, North, South, East and West — was one of the leading culprits. Eighty-three percent of all drought-caused economic losses documented by FAO's study were absorbed by agriculture, with a price tag of $29 billion. But the report also details how multiple other threats are taking a heavy toll on food production, food security, and people's livelihoods.
"The agriculture sectors — which includes crop and livestock production as well as forestry, fisheries and aquaculture — face many risks, such as climate and market volatility, pests and diseases, extreme weather events, and an ever-increasing number of protracted crises and conflicts," said FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.
This drought situation appears to be occurring right around the world, and is way under-reported in the mainstream media. The nations affected will have to buy in food on the world market to survive. This will push prices up – dramatically. This is an end time problem!
In Matthew 24, Christ reveals end time conditions just prior to His return.
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (Matthew 24:7)
Drought is a major cause of famine, and right now drought exists around the world. This drought is causing reduced crops – which in turn, will lead to higher prices.
“And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny.” (Revelation 6:6)
Back at the time of Christ, a penny was a labourer’s pay for the day. This would seem to indicate that a day’s supply of food would cost a day’s wages.
And it’s not just drought! Reduced food production can be caused by too much rain, floods... and also insect attack!
“I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” (Amos 4:9)
Blasting due to drought – mildew due to floods. Both destroy crops! While most of Europe is in a drought condition, France is losing crops due to too much rain!
God's people must remain spiritually alert as we witness this situation develop!
“Just what is an APOSTLE?”
Today we find the Church of God in a “wilderness of religious confusion!”
The confusion is not merely around the Church – within the religions of the world outside – but WITHIN the very heart of The True Church itself!
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