VOA常速英语:Report: Africa Agricultural Reforms Could Ensure Food Security

be dependent on依靠,依赖
例句：The country is dependent on foreign aid.
这个国家靠外援生存。
at the mercy of任…摆布, 在…前毫无办法
例句：She was at the mercy of her cruel husband.
她任凭残酷的丈夫摆布。

2. It’s estimated seven out of 10 Africans make their living in farming.

make one’s living谋生
例句：He worried about how to make his living.
他为如何谋生发愁。

3. “One year you might be having a bumper crop and the market is not ready to take the surpluses. The next year you end up with an acute shortage,” said Mbaabu.

end up (以…)结束; 最终成为〔变得〕
例句：If you don't work hard, you'll end up nowhere.
如不努力工作, 你就一事无成。

4. Mbaabu says one leader could threaten food security by taking unilateral action to withhold his country’s food reserves.

take action采取行动, 行动起来
例句：The police had to take firm action to deal with the riots.
警方不得不采取果断行动来对付骚乱。

5. One government may wake up and say no food exports because we think we are going to have a deficit.

wake up (使)认识到; (使)觉悟
例句：The event may wake him up.
这件事可能会使他醒悟。

6. These include the use of mobile phones to provide farmers with the latest market prices or to receive the latest weather forecast.

provide with给…提供;以…装备
例句：Somehow she managed to provide her children with food and clothing.
她总算设法使她的孩子有饭吃,有衣穿。

7. Another recommendation to help ensure food security is the use of storage facilities and warehouses to protect against spoilage, pests and plant diseases.

protect against保护, 保卫
例句：You need warm clothes to protect you against the cold.
你需要暖和的衣服来御寒。