Food Security
in Australia/Samoa

Australia

Foods that are common in Australia are wheat, beef, grains, oilseeds and legumes, rice, sugar, grapes, bananas and potatoes. Live animals excluding seafood are also very common.

Most of the food in Australia is mainly produced through agricultural techniques. The majority of food that is sold or grown is supplied by farmers. There are animal farms and millions of hens, chicken and pigs are kept there.

Most of the food in Australia is agriculturally grown and does not require many methods that will harm the environment. Animals in animal farms do not get proper treatment and are kept in harsh conditions.

Australia exports a lot of beef, wheat and meat.

Australia is a net importer which means it imports more than it exports. It imports foods like seafoods, processed fruits and vegetables, soft drinks, and bakery products.

Between 4 to 13 percent of Australia has inadequate access to food. Due to COVID-19, food shortages have become a little more common now.

The most common food illnesses are campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis.

Australia is working with the World Food Program (WFP) to address its issues regarding food shortages. The WFP is a branch of the UN which solves issues regarding food insecurity and hunger. Australia also has many other organizations in it which help to address the food issues.

Samoa

Different foods that are produced in Samoa include Pani Popo, Palusami, Oka i’a, Sapasui, Samoan Poi, Pisua.

Food are produced through Agricultural techniques, fishing, and greenhouses, as they are all valid and used ways of producing food in Samoa.

Food production and preparation in Samoa negatively impacts the environment by methane from animal farms and landfills, carbon dioxide from machines that involve burning fuel, carbon dioxide from other sources, production of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).

Main foods that are exported to other countries by Samoa are
vegetables, fruits, nuts, vegetable/fruit/nut preparations, beverages, spirits, and vinegar.

Main foods that are imported from other countries to Samoa are meat, rice, and beverages.

In 2018, research found that about 22.7% of the Samoan population lived below the national poverty line. This means that many families and individuals do not have adequate access to food.

9% of chronic disease rates in Samoa belong to diabetes. Research finds that 47.3% of adults in Samoa are obese.

Research regarding any organizations that ensure people have access to food was not found, but two organizations that do something similar were found. The Samoa Umbrella for NGO Inc. is an NGO that helps in improving the overall lives and lifestyle of Samoan people. The Samoan Conservation Society helps in conserving the environment and natural heritage of Samoa. Samoa is a small country and does not have many NGOs that cover various purposes.

Differences in research:

- The main foods that are produced between Australia and Samoa are very different.

- There aren’t many differences in how food is produced. Fish farms can be considered animal farms.

- Australia uses very little methods that will harm the environment compared to Samoa when it comes to producing food since most of its food is naturally grown using agriculture and the help of farmers.

- Exports regarding the two countries are very different. While Australia exports beef, wheat and meat, Samoa exports beverages, fruits and vegetables.

- Besides beverages and drinks, much of what the two countries import is very different.

- Both countries have inadequate access to food for a fraction of the population so there isn’t much to compare there.

- Instead of diabetes and obesity like in Samoa, people in Australia suffer more from campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis.

- Besides both countries having organizations to address the food insecurities, Samoa does not seem to have many NGOs like Australia, the WFP being one of those NGOs.

- Although the two countries have their differences they are also similar in specific aspects which is natural since many countries are similar to each other in one way or another. Besides the types of food they produce and the illnesses they have, the comparison between the two nations is not that interesting.

Similarities in research:

- Foods in Australia like beef, rice, sugar, and grapes are also really common throughout Samoa.

- Both Australia and Samoa use agricultural techniques to produce their food.

- Both Australia and Samoa import beverages.

- Both Australia and Samoa have many people with inadequate access to food.

- Overall, Samoa is similar to Australia in many aspects, but those similar aspects are common as many nations share them. For example, using agricultural techniques to produce food is common and widely used throughout the globe. So, there is a lack of unique relations between these countries in terms of food.

Faraz