Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity (SL IB Geography)

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 [popover id="w772lam4L-pdIAPv" label="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