Global food issues
HND-603
Introduction
The world faces a global hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions.
In just two years, the number of people facing, or at risk of, acute food
insecurity increased from 135 million in 53 countries pre-pandemic,
to 345 million in 79 countries in 2023.
Fuelled by conflict, climate shocks and COVID-19, the crisis is escalating
as the war in Ukraine drives up the costs of food, fuel and fertilizers
Millions of people are struggling to put food on the table and are being
driven closer to starvation
At least 129,000 people are expected to experience famine in Burkina
Faso, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan. Furthermore, any fragile progress
already made in reducing numbers risks being lost, due to funding gaps
and resulting cuts in assistance. The global community must not fail on
its promise to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030
WFP is facing multiple challenges – the number of acutely hungry people
continues to increase at a pace that funding is unlikely to match, while
the cost of delivering food assistance is at an all-time high because food
and fuel prices have increased
But why is the world hungrier than ever??
Causes
1. Climate change & natural disasters
Climate change impacts agriculture and food production
Higher temperatures, water scarcity, droughts, floods, and greater CO2
concentrations in the atmosphere affect staple crops around the world
Corn and wheat production has declined in recent years due to extreme
weather events, plant diseases, and a global water crisis
Climate change limits access to food
Climate change decreases the nutritional value of food
Hunger and malnutrition are issues of both quantity and quality. Climate
change affects both. Studies show that higher concentrations of carbon
dioxide in plants reduce their protein, zinc, and iron content. By 2050, an
estimated 175 million people could develop zinc deficiencies. 122 million
people may be protein-deficient by that time as well
High fertilizer prices
The most important factor has been the sharp increase in the price of
natural gas, used as both feedstock and energy source in the production
of ammonia
[Link] of Access to Farming Lands
Food is grown or produced from the land where income is also generated
However, many people do not have their land or cannot afford access to
farmable land
4. Unfair Trade Rules/ Corporate Giants
Large corporations do business with local food producers is largely unfair
and does not reward farmers for the worth of their labor or produce
[Link]-paced Population Growth
This growing population means there are extra mouths to feed daily. The
rise in population, with limited growth in the food available, means an
increase in food insecurity.
6: Biofuel
Agro fuels are produced from plants like corn and sugar cane, such
biofuels are emerging as a response to tackling climate change
Unfortunately, farms will be diverted into growing such plants and crops
for biofuels, decreasing the number of grains available for food like
ethanol, biodiesel, biogas
7. Oil prices
The higher price of oil also contributes to the food price crisis. In agriculture
a large amount of oil is needed for transportation.
With the diminishing oil supplies and the end of the economic crisis, oil
prices are only likely to increase even more.
8:Unequal distribution of resources
The recent price surge is another sign of the unequal distribution of
resources on the planet. It is not likely that people in rich countries will go
hungry during the food crisis. This is because people in developed
countries spend only a relatively small amount of their income on food.
However, many families in poor countries spend up to 80 % of their
income on food. If prices of certain foods double, these families will not
be able to buy food anymore
