Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity (DP IB Geography)

Revision Note

Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity

Food Insecurity

  • Food insecurity is the lack of access to nutritious and affordable food

  • There is enough food for everyone on the planet, however, consumption is uneven

  • Many people, particularly in lower-income countries, suffer from food deficits and food insecurity

  • Roughly 783 million people are suffering from severe hunger

  • In more developed countries, there is often a food surplus and large amounts of food waste

Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity

Economic and agricultural solutions 

  • Those working in government could provide more investment in agriculture

    • Investments boost the agricultural economy, modernise agricultural systems, and support those in poverty 

    • This reduces food insecurity

  • Microfinance loans support farmers in investing in technologies or other methods to boost their productivity

  • Ensure that land is used to grow food crops for humans, instead of cash crops for biofuels or animal fodder

  • Moving away from subsistence farming, and adopting commercial agriculture to improve incomes and boost production 

Political solutions

  • Countries or organisations send food aid to those in need during war or after a natural disaster 

    • Natural disasters and warfare can result in food shortages or even famine

    • Alleviates governments so they can focus on infrastructure repairs or other vital tasks

  • Free Trade:

    • Reductions in trade limitations make it easier for food exports and imports

    • Free trade removes import tariffs which lowers food cost

    • Allows agricultural technologies and knowledge to flow more easily, leading to increased productivity

    • Improves the variety of foods that countries may have access to 

    • Boosts economic growth 

    • Examples of Free Trade agreements:

      • North Atlantic Free Trade Area (NAFTA)

      • Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

      • UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement/UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

  • Fair Trade:

    • Reduces the risk of farmers being affected by changing prices, providing them with stable incomes

    • Provides farmers with fair pay

    • Allows farmers to grow food for export and self-sufficiency

    • Provides food loans or fertilisers during low productive seasons

    • Support of agricultural mechanisation e.g. farming equipment 

  • Land Reform:

    • Land tenure and tenure insecurity have a huge impact on food insecurity

    • Farmers are more likely to invest in land that is theirs

    • Provides farmers with more access to financial support

    • Better ownership of land can ensure crops are grown not just for exports or cash crops

    • Giving women more land ownership rights can improve productivity

  • Ending warfare

    • Conflict can cause food insecurity e.g:

      • Crop damage

      • Weaponisation of food 

      • Aid blockades 

    • Many conflicts have resulted in or contributed to famine

    • Promoting peace and ending conflict is vital for ending food insecurity 

  • Creating or improving government policies that focus on reducing food insecurity and boosting production 

    • The UK adopted the Agriculture Act and Fisheries Act to support producers in their transition to sustainability, to ensure food security for the future  

Technological solutions

  • The Green Revolution:

    • Using Irrigation systems during dry seasons and in arid climates 

    • Using high-yielding seeds to increase yield

    • Using pesticides and fertilisers to reduce pests and increase yield

  • The New Green Revolution

    • Crops which can withstand droughts or high salinity

    • Boosting soil production through crop rotation 

    • Integrated pest management 

  • Mechanisation of agriculture

    • Using more machinery like tractors or heavy tools

    • Improving storage and transport infrastructure 

  • Moving to contemporary food production

    • Biotechnology e.g. Genetically Modified Crops or In Vitro Meat

    • Vertical Farming e.g. hydroponics and aeroponics to grow more food

  • Sustainable agriculture - to protect the environment, boost food production, support farmers and prepare for climate change

    • Polyculture to boost soil fertility or crop rotation

    • Solar-powered irrigation 

    • Organic produce

    • Integrated pest management 

  • Appropriate technology to boost local production (typically in LICs)

    • Small-scale irrigation pumps and pipes made of plastic

    • Solar agriculture uses small greenhouses to grow food even during the winter season

Social and cultural solutions

  • Educating women and giving them more rights to improve productivity 

  • Reducing food waste:

    • Encouraging food donations to food banks or other charities

    • Educating people properly about ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates

      • Many foods are safe to eat well beyond these dates

    • Education about food waste, pre-planning and not cooking in excess

    • Improvements to transport and storage infrastructure to reduce spoilage waste

    • Initiatives and programmes to reduce food waste:

      • Food Waste Reduction Alliance Project - working on reducing food waste, donating food and recycling waste/keeping it from landfill

      • Many supermarkets sell ‘Wonky Veg’ or take part in ‘Too Good To Go’ offers

      • Some restaurants have a ban on getting rid of food waste e.g. in Austin, Texas

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