Gke Task 2 Food Security Research Paper
Humanities II
25 January, 2014
Part II: Food Security
The average American takes for granted the aisles of food with loaded shelves in grocery stores around the country. Elsewhere in the world and in Africa specifically, access to food can be a struggle of life or death. The FDA defines food security as a condition that "exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (Food Security USDA). With this definition, food security is very difficult to find in Africa. Many people do not have the “sufficient, safe and nutritious food... for an active and healthy life.” Although food security in Africa from 1900 to the present varies significantly throughout the continent, the ongoing efforts to create food security, along with obstacles, have changed over time. …show more content…
The situations of food security vary throughout the very diverse continent.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the arid and desert like climates lead to extreme food insecurity. “Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest concentration of food insecurity of any region” (Food Security). Other regions of Africa also suffer. The African food development bank points out that the “Ecological constraints on food production in North Africa, however, are severe, with shortages of both arable land and water” (North Africa). While there are some differences, North Africa has food insecurity that stem from its heavy reliance on food imports which is why it has the largest food deficit in the world (North
Africa).
There are many efforts going on to improve the food security in Africa, from global companies to governmental organizations. Some countries have taken it upon themselves to help. For instance, “Australia is supporting African efforts to improve food security by boosting long-term agricultural productivity and building resilience, while meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable people when humanitarian crises occur” (Improving). Meanwhile, agricultural corporations have used genetically modified crops (GMOs) in Africa, improving food security but adding to controversy. Another organization involved in food security is the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Part of the United Nations, this organization implements and develops new technologies to combat food insecurity, and takes part in emergency food problems.
The problems in creating food security are manifold, which hinder improvement efforts. A chief issue is that food insecurity is linked to other problems. “Food security is deeply connected to other development challenges and poor health” (Food Security). The challenges of poor health and poverty are obvious reasons for concern in and of themselves. But food security is also fundamentally connected to the environment, such as the issue of how much food can be produced to support its people. For example, “North African countries are forced to import a large percentage of their total food requirements” (North Africa). Such importation can create a volatile food supply. Another complication in creating food security is bringing together the diverse groups that aim to help the situation. “The task of identifying, informing and implementing programs falls on various public, private and civil society groups. Ascertaining the principal actors can be a challenging exercise, as the food security movement encompasses a wide swath of sectors – from those that increase farm productivity to entities that improve agricultural infrastructure.” (Top Food).
Overall, the issue of food security in Africa is a multi-faceted problem with yet even more complicated solutions. Problems range from the unsolvable, such as environmental obstacles to cultivating food, to the will of governments in transportation and distribution. Food security represents the fundamental ability of human beings to lead meaningful lives. Ultimately, what is at stake is sufficiently critical to compel a multitude of organizations to continue their efforts. One day, hopefully, their labors will fill the many gaps that exist between needs and solutions and millions of people will be able to provide for themselves and their futures, secure in their access to food.
Works Cited
"Food Security: Facts and Figures - SciDev.Net." Food Security: Facts and Figures - SciDev.Net. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"Food Security USDA." USDA. United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"Improving Food Security in Africa." USAID. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"North Africa and Food Security." African Development Bank. AFDB, 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2013.
"Top Food Security Groups: A Primer." Devex.com. N.p., 04 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
25 January, 2014
Part II: Food Security
The average American takes for granted the aisles of food with loaded shelves in grocery stores around the country. Elsewhere in the world and in Africa specifically, access to food can be a struggle of life or death. The FDA defines food security as a condition that "exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life” (Food Security USDA). With this definition, food security is very difficult to find in Africa. Many people do not have the “sufficient, safe and nutritious food... for an active and healthy life.” Although food security in Africa from 1900 to the present varies significantly throughout the continent, the ongoing efforts to create food security, along with obstacles, have changed over time. …show more content…
The situations of food security vary throughout the very diverse continent.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, the arid and desert like climates lead to extreme food insecurity. “Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest concentration of food insecurity of any region” (Food Security). Other regions of Africa also suffer. The African food development bank points out that the “Ecological constraints on food production in North Africa, however, are severe, with shortages of both arable land and water” (North Africa). While there are some differences, North Africa has food insecurity that stem from its heavy reliance on food imports which is why it has the largest food deficit in the world (North
Africa).
There are many efforts going on to improve the food security in Africa, from global companies to governmental organizations. Some countries have taken it upon themselves to help. For instance, “Australia is supporting African efforts to improve food security by boosting long-term agricultural productivity and building resilience, while meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable people when humanitarian crises occur” (Improving). Meanwhile, agricultural corporations have used genetically modified crops (GMOs) in Africa, improving food security but adding to controversy. Another organization involved in food security is the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Part of the United Nations, this organization implements and develops new technologies to combat food insecurity, and takes part in emergency food problems.
The problems in creating food security are manifold, which hinder improvement efforts. A chief issue is that food insecurity is linked to other problems. “Food security is deeply connected to other development challenges and poor health” (Food Security). The challenges of poor health and poverty are obvious reasons for concern in and of themselves. But food security is also fundamentally connected to the environment, such as the issue of how much food can be produced to support its people. For example, “North African countries are forced to import a large percentage of their total food requirements” (North Africa). Such importation can create a volatile food supply. Another complication in creating food security is bringing together the diverse groups that aim to help the situation. “The task of identifying, informing and implementing programs falls on various public, private and civil society groups. Ascertaining the principal actors can be a challenging exercise, as the food security movement encompasses a wide swath of sectors – from those that increase farm productivity to entities that improve agricultural infrastructure.” (Top Food).
Overall, the issue of food security in Africa is a multi-faceted problem with yet even more complicated solutions. Problems range from the unsolvable, such as environmental obstacles to cultivating food, to the will of governments in transportation and distribution. Food security represents the fundamental ability of human beings to lead meaningful lives. Ultimately, what is at stake is sufficiently critical to compel a multitude of organizations to continue their efforts. One day, hopefully, their labors will fill the many gaps that exist between needs and solutions and millions of people will be able to provide for themselves and their futures, secure in their access to food.
Works Cited
"Food Security: Facts and Figures - SciDev.Net." Food Security: Facts and Figures - SciDev.Net. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"Food Security USDA." USDA. United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"Improving Food Security in Africa." USAID. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.
"North Africa and Food Security." African Development Bank. AFDB, 2012. Web. 13 Jan. 2013.
"Top Food Security Groups: A Primer." Devex.com. N.p., 04 Nov. 2010. Web. 14 Jan. 2014.