Global Food Security - Essay Example

GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY Name: Course: Instructor: Institution: City: Date: Table of Contents Introduction 3 Definitions of Food Security 4 Increasing Concerns about Food Security 5 Population and Food Security 5 Emergence of Biofuels 5 Water Problems 6 Recommendations for Food Security 7 Reduce Food Wastage 7 Raise Low Water Productivity 7 Give Priority to Food Production 7 Population Control 8 Conserving Natural Resources 8 Conclusion 8 References 9 Introduction Unlike the last two decades or so when there was generally abundance in food production in the world, the trend has literally changed from the narrative of food abundance to food scarcity (McDonald, 2010). This can be witnessed in the rising prices of food globally. According to Lawrence, Lyons & Wallington (2010), for instance, the global grain reserves have gone down by close to 30% in the last 15 years. Accordingly, this unhealthy trend has led to a sporadic rise in hunger in the world as a whole. The world has been experiencing increasing rates of hunger owing to a number of factors. One of these is the high demand in food instigated by increase in world population, rising affluence, and the conversion of food into fuel for cars (Behnassi, Draggan, & Sanni Yaya, 2011). Similarly, the supply has significantly gone down, and this can be attributed to such factors as extreme soil degradation instances, rising water problems, and global warming problems. It is only through a combined confrontation of such challenges that global food insecurity could be effectively tackled. Despite its importance in human survival, the concept of global food security is not clearly understood by many people (Behnassi, Draggan, & Sanni Yaya, 2011). Is it perhaps that the view of humans of what is meant by food security is changing? How can the rise in concerns about food security globally be explained? How best should the problem of food scarcity be tackled both locally and nationally in order to improve food security into the future? This paper, therefore, seeks to provide answers into these questions by first providing a clear insight into what global food security actually is, and whether the perspective of humans on what food security actually is has been changing over time. The paper also delves into a discussion on the reasons for the increasing concerns about food security, and then goes ahead to propose suggestions on the best strategies that could be adopted in order to boost food security into the future both locally and nationally. The paper employs a wide range of real life examples in its discussion. Definitions of Food Security Food security has been defined variously by various agencies. According to McDonald (2010), food security may be defined as a situation when everyone has enough, safe, and nutritiously valuable food at all times to not only meet their dietary requirements, but also meet their food preferences in order for them to live an active and healthy life. In a summary of that definition, Great Britain (2013) also defines food security as the state when everybody has food at all times for their comfortable survival. On his part, however, Romeo Casabona, & Escajedo San Epifanio (2010) breaks down his definition into two main parts. First, he says that food security refers to the ready availability of nutritionally acceptable food in the right amounts, and in a safe manner. Secondly, he attributes food security to an assured ability for one to obtain food through means that are socially right (Romeo Casabona, & Escajedo San Epifanio, 2010). Another definition of food security is provided by Kracht (1999) who defines community food security as a scenario when all citizens have equal access to a safe, personally acceptable, nutritious, and sustainable food supply for which there are increased healthy choices, community self-reliance, and equity throughout. According to Kugelman, Levenstein, & Atkin (2013), food security can be defined as a situation when all households have access to the food they need for a healthy life for all their members and that these households are not at risk of losing such access in the foreseeable future. Increasing Concerns about Food Security As was rightly mentioned in the introductory part of this paper, there has been a rise in concerns about food security in the world for the last couple of years, and this is attributed to a number of factors. These include population dynamics, emergence of biofuels for cars, increase in soil degradation problems, water problems, excessive wastage of available food, and global warming (McDonald, 2010). Population and Food Security According to Emmott (2013), the world population is projected to stand at a staggering 9.6 billion by 2050. This projection is approximately 39 percent higher than the world’s current population, and much of this increase is expected to occur in developing countries (Lawrence, Lyons & Wallington, 2010). According to World Summit on Food Security (WSFS), at least 75 percent of this population will be urban population in comparison to today’s urban population of 53 percent (Euromonitor International, 2009). The greatest concern, however, is not just the increase in demand for food by this population, but also the fact that with such population increase, there will be a sharp reduction in the availability of agricultural land for growing food. World Bank estimates that in the next 50 years the available agricultural land will be reduced by half (Euromonitor International, 2009). Emergence of Biofuels There has been a worrying trend, especially in developed countries, of redirecting food to the production of biofuels for cars (Swaminathan, & Jana, 1992). While the argument has always been that biofuels are aimed at reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere, the problems such inventions are likely to cause has created a lot of concerns, particularly among the populations of the developing nations (Kracht, 1999). One such problem is food insecurity. How? Biofuels ironically increase emissions through the clearance of land, use of fertilizer, and by replacing other crops for biofuel crops (Swaminathan, & Jana, 1992). Converting huge tracts of tillable land into growing biofuel crops at the expense of food crops automatically leads to a drop in global food production, which essentially causes food prices to rise (McDonald, 2010). Water Problems FAO estimates that at least 65 percent of global fresh water is channelled to farming. According to the UN, there will be a sharp rise in the need for irrigation in the next two decades particularly due to the perennial water problems affecting various parts of the world. In Africa, for instance, 25 percent of the population already lacks water. This in itself is reason enough why there are increasing concerns about sustainable clean water supply in relation to food security (Kugelman, Levenstein, & Atkin, 2013). Generally, the amount of water available for every individual is rapidly decreasing despite the significant role played by water in the production of food. It is increasingly becoming common for countries to divert water for irrigating large tracts of land mainly for food production. A good example is the Mekong Delta where China has intentions of using water redirected from Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia for its food production purposes (Kugelman, Levenstein, & Atkin, 2013). Recommendations for Food Security Despite the process of transitioning from food scarcity to food abundance being much slower, various approaches could be taken to ensure there is enough food for everyone at all times. These are discussed below: Reduce Food Wastage Owing to the high food wastage, typically up to 30 percent, the food supply chains should be strengthened through the diversification and up-scaling of the production and marketing of small scale farmers in remote areas (Kracht, 1999). Such farmers should be linked directly to the buyers so that they may not end up wasting their excess produce in the name of lack of market. Raise Low Water Productivity Because of the ever reducing amount of water available for agriculture, low water productivity measures should be taken. The efficiency of irrigation should be enhanced in order to raise water productivity overall. Dams that supply water to farmers via a network of canals should also be constructed in order to increase the supply of water to farmers for agricultural activities. Low water productivity may as well be raised through the adoption of efficient irrigation methods such as the drip irrigation for which there is minimal losses of water through evaporation. Give Priority to Food Production Even though it has always been argued that the use of biofuels significantly reduces greenhouse emissions (Swaminathan, & Jana, 1992), such significance should not supersede the importance of food. It is recommended that world resources such as finances, innovations, and agricultural land should be channelled towards food production at the expense of anything else until food security is achieved. Only then can such resources be redirected towards other sectors such as the transport sector. Population Control Owing to the 90 million annual increase in global population, population control measures such as the use of contraceptives, adequate legislation, sterilization, and abstinence should be strongly advocated for (Eager, 2004). On the local scene, abstinence, sterilization, and the use of contraceptives should be adopted by individual households. On the national level, however, legislation on population control measures and strategies is the best way to go (Romeo Casabona, & Escajedo San Epifanio, 2010). Conserving Natural Resources First, locally, the rehabilitation of the traditional and indigenous food crops that have been abandoned in many countries should be encouraged. On the national platform, clear regulations on the management and conservation of natural resources such as natural forests, land, and water bodies should be passed (Romeo Casabona, & Escajedo San Epifanio, 2010). Conclusion While much of food production is done on individual levels, there is need for combined efforts between governments and the individual households together with various agencies in the fight to eradicate food scarcity. From the definitions of food security and the main areas of concerns about food security, it is evident that global food security is a perfect scenario that is not achievable at any given time. In conclusion, therefore, it is important that the above recommendations be taken into account so as to help in achieving a near-perfect food security scenario as it were. References Behnassi, M., Draggan, S., & Sanni Yaya, H. (2011). Global food insecurity rethinking agricultural and rural development paradigm and policy. Dordrecht, Springer. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=690916 Eager, P. W. (2004). Global population policy: from population control to reproductive rights. Aldershot, Ashgate. Emmott, S. (2013). 10 billion. Euromonitor International. (2009). The future demographic: global population trends and forecasts to 2020. London, Euromonitor International Plc. Great Britain. (2013). Global food security: first report, session 2013-14. Vol. 1, Vol. 1. London, Stationery Office. Kracht, U. (1999). Food security and nutrition: the global challenge. Münster [u.a.], Lit [u.a.]. Kugelman, M., Levenstein, S. L., & Atkin, C. (2013). The global farms race land grabs, agricultural investment, and the scramble for food security. Washington, DC, Island Press. Lawrence, G., Lyons, K., & Wallington, T. (2010). Food security, nutrition and sustainability. London, Earthscan. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=483775 Mcdonald, B. (2010). Food security. Cambridge, Polity. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk &AN=577209 New South Wales & Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. (2014). Restoring agriculture after a tsunami: the experience from Aceh, Indonesia. Romeo Casabona, C. M., & Escajedo San Epifanio, L. (2010). Global food security: ethical and legal challenges EurSafe 2010, Bilbao, Spain, 16-18 September 2010. Wageningen, Wageningen Academic Publishers. Swaminathan, M. S., & Jana, S. (1992). Biodiversity, implications for global food security. Madras, Macmillan India. (2013). Global food security challenges for the food and agricultural system. Paris, OECD. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264195363-en Read More

On his part, however, Romeo Casabona, & Escajedo San Epifanio (2010) breaks down his definition into two main parts. First, he says that food security refers to the ready availability of nutritionally acceptable food in the right amounts, and in a safe manner. Secondly, he attributes food security to an assured ability for one to obtain food through means that are socially right (Romeo Casabona, & Escajedo San Epifanio, 2010). Another definition of food security is provided by Kracht (1999) who defines community food security as a scenario when all citizens have equal access to a safe, personally acceptable, nutritious, and sustainable food supply for which there are increased healthy choices, community self-reliance, and equity throughout.

According to Kugelman, Levenstein, & Atkin (2013), food security can be defined as a situation when all households have access to the food they need for a healthy life for all their members and that these households are not at risk of losing such access in the foreseeable future. Increasing Concerns about Food Security As was rightly mentioned in the introductory part of this paper, there has been a rise in concerns about food security in the world for the last couple of years, and this is attributed to a number of factors.

These include population dynamics, emergence of biofuels for cars, increase in soil degradation problems, water problems, excessive wastage of available food, and global warming (McDonald, 2010). Population and Food Security According to Emmott (2013), the world population is projected to stand at a staggering 9.6 billion by 2050. This projection is approximately 39 percent higher than the world’s current population, and much of this increase is expected to occur in developing countries (Lawrence, Lyons & Wallington, 2010).

According to World Summit on Food Security (WSFS), at least 75 percent of this population will be urban population in comparison to today’s urban population of 53 percent (Euromonitor International, 2009). The greatest concern, however, is not just the increase in demand for food by this population, but also the fact that with such population increase, there will be a sharp reduction in the availability of agricultural land for growing food. World Bank estimates that in the next 50 years the available agricultural land will be reduced by half (Euromonitor International, 2009).

Emergence of Biofuels There has been a worrying trend, especially in developed countries, of redirecting food to the production of biofuels for cars (Swaminathan, & Jana, 1992). While the argument has always been that biofuels are aimed at reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere, the problems such inventions are likely to cause has created a lot of concerns, particularly among the populations of the developing nations (Kracht, 1999). One such problem is food insecurity. How? Biofuels ironically increase emissions through the clearance of land, use of fertilizer, and by replacing other crops for biofuel crops (Swaminathan, & Jana, 1992).

Converting huge tracts of tillable land into growing biofuel crops at the expense of food crops automatically leads to a drop in global food production, which essentially causes food prices to rise (McDonald, 2010). Water Problems FAO estimates that at least 65 percent of global fresh water is channelled to farming. According to the UN, there will be a sharp rise in the need for irrigation in the next two decades particularly due to the perennial water problems affecting various parts of the world.

In Africa, for instance, 25 percent of the population already lacks water. This in itself is reason enough why there are increasing concerns about sustainable clean water supply in relation to food security (Kugelman, Levenstein, & Atkin, 2013). Generally, the amount of water available for every individual is rapidly decreasing despite the significant role played by water in the production of food. It is increasingly becoming common for countries to divert water for irrigating large tracts of land mainly for food production.

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