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Food Insecurity
My research will be focused on food insecurity as one of the problems facing worldwide. Food insecurity is one of the critical problems affecting most people worldwide, which has led to health and nutrition issues. I choose this problem because many people have suffered due to a lack of food, resulting in hunger, hence the death of a significant number. It has also resulted in the migration of many from one place to another since no man can survive without food. In other words, food insecurity can be defined as a condition where a family or household lacks enough or adequate food for an active body and healthy life hence being referred to as a complex problem. Many people lack resources to meet their needs, which has created food insecurity, thus poverty. This paper discusses the causes of food insecurity, the effects of food insecurity, and possible solutions to curb this complex problem.
One of the causes is the lack of access to farming areas. It has to be grown to have food, which may generate growth of the economy and income. However, most people in many countries do not have their land. It is the leading cause of food insecurity since most do not have an area to grow their crops. Land grabbing is another issue. It is whereby a community, family, or community owns a piece of land. The land is taken away by maybe the government or large investors; in that case, most people will lack food hence hunger and poverty, resulting in social instability. Conflicts, wars, and violence can also cause food insecurity in that when their wars, people are unable to concentrate on their farming since most of the people are displaced from their households. Even if the fight may end, food shortage crises can trigger for several years. A good example of countries affected are south -Sudan and Somali in Africa due to wars
Natural disasters such as floods, drought, and famine can result in food shortages. For example, floods can sweep away all the crops planted hence minimal harvest. Attacks on crops by pests can result in food shortage. It can significantly affect communities that rely on farming, mostly rural areas communities. (2015) Unfair trade rules are another cause. It is the way farming producers and business people co-operate to reward farms for their labor. However, the effects come when the farmers are supplied with seedling and insecticides hence working as laborers for the contractors. Therefore, when they sell their produce, they are left with little, resulting in food shortage after a few months or weeks since the contractors will have to subtract the insecticides and seedlings they gave them.
There are several effects on food insecurity; for example, it affects children. Children facing food shortages in their home are likely to be prone to chronic diseases such as asthma and anemia, resulting in hospitalization. (Conserve energy 2020) It may also lead to frequent health oral problems. Food insecurity can also affect the way children socialize in school since their peers may avoid them due to their health problems hence causing a low quality of life. Hunger can be a result of food insecurity. Therefore, most counties spend a lot of money on food supply to areas affected to avoid people being hungry. Another effect is an increase in food prices; thus, most people will be unable to afford to purchase everyday products due to high prices hence causing insecurity to the country, resulting in health issues. Food insecurity may also lead to the unemployment of many people. This is because inadequate food in a country results in a decline in the economy; therefore, most people will lose their jobs, wages, and income. Besides, food insecurity may impact health-related costs, in that when children or people lack food, they are prone to chronic health issues such as asthma and anemia. As a result, this will lead to many hospitalized people, leading to many costs being incurred.
Despite the food insecurity is one of the complex problems affecting around 840 million people worldwide, the government and other organizations have solved this problem. Below are several possible solutions for fighting the food insecurity problem. One of the solutions is food wastage should be reduced. This is by providing adequate storage facilities, thus reducing food wastage. (Conserve energy 2020) The risk of commercializing should be reduced. When food crops are grown to feed the communities or families rather than commercialize, food insecurity will be reduced since there will be plenty of food worldwide. Improvement of existing programs on infrastructure can be a solution to food insecurity. Inadequate infrastructure such as food processing and roads may result in many farmers not taking their produce to the market, resulting in them rotting. To prevent this, roads and storage facilities should be improved. As a result, there will be various food crops in the market, thus curbing food insecurity.
Improvement of trade policies can also be a solution in that most farmers have failed to participate in agriculture and opted to do other things due to unfair policies. If the government improves on this policy, then most of the farmers will participate in agriculture hence plenty of food products worldwide. The promotion of diversification is another solution. Making one food a staple may bring negative impacts; therefore, farmers should be taught the importance of diversification. If they practice diversification, there will be various food crops in the market, resulting in health boost age minimizing chronic diseases in the body. In conclusion, we can fight food insecurity in our countries if we follow the solutions discussed above and many others. Chronic diseases such as asthma should be reduced, and migration of people from one place to another due to lack of food.
Works Cited
“Causes, Effects and Solutions to Food Insecurity (Lack of Access to Food).” Conserve Energy Future, 19 July 2020, www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-food-insecurity.php.
“Food insecurity: Concepts, measurement and causes.” 2015.
Live links
Causes, Effects and Solutions to Food Insecurity (Lack of Access to Food)
https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319238586