Increasing food security is vital for economic growth, as a healthier population contributes to a stronger workforce, boosting the economy. Diverse strategies, such as cash crops, present mixed outcomes, including higher profits but potential farmer debt and unemployment.
Vertical farming is more energy efficient, and you can use cold climates to your advantage
--> (saves money on energy)
Vertical farms can also be harvested year round, even in cold climates
Vertical farms eliminate the need for pesticide use
Climate controlled environment --> there is no risk of flooding or environmental damage
With vertical farms, you can get much more density per square foot, than on a regular farm
Governments can invest in vertical farming infrastructure
It is cheaper to buy bugs as food ingredients than other sources of proteins
Adding bugs as ingredients to cultural dishes can create a whole new range of things to eat
Eating bugs results in less pollution and habitat destruction
Producing one pound of beef requires 1,800 gallons of water, whereas one pound of cricket protein requires only one gallon of water
80% of a crickets body is edible compared to only 40% of a cows body
Eating bugs is also more sustainable than eating regular animals
Bugs can be the new alternative instead of food industrialization. Bugs are an efficient source of protein and can be found anywhere in the world
The government should provide those farmers with information that would help them manage their land more effectively
Government should give the local farmers formal rights to their land
Local farms provide nearby residents with a healthier alternative and provide increased nutritional value than food that is imported from other countries or food that is grown with GMO's
Empowers local residents and communities by giving them some control over their food
Local/alternative farms add diversity to our farming landscapes, --> which mean governments wont need to import food from other countries as much
Farmers will also receive a decent and better income, because they will receive a higher percentage of the value of the food they produce
When the producers and the consumer know each other and interact with each other, --> then the entire community has a say in how food is produced
Since the food is produced and consumed in the same region, there will be less fossil fuels burned for transportation of imported foods
They are also more sustainable and equitable then regular/traditional farming methods
Alternative/local farms use fewer chemical inputs (ex - fertilizers & pesticides)
- Coffee
- Tea
- Cocoa
- cotton
- Rubber
- etc
Cash transfers also have great multiplier effects on the economy of the country. This is because cash transfers give purchasing power to individuals
Cash transfers also strengthen local markets and communities --> allow individuals to continue cultural traditions
Cash transfers are also beneficial to the environment. They do not cause any pollution because they are mainly transmitted electronically. --> Therefore cash transfers are a part of global efforts to reduce climate change.
Cash transfers give the households in need the ability to make their own choices on where to spend the money. They can choose to spend it on food security, their wellbeing, medical fees, etc
Cash Transfers; are distributed by global aid corporations and governments. (They include bank notes, electronic money, value vouchers, etc) They are sent to vulnerable households and people in need
Increasing rural income and employment will also improve living conditions and will have a positive effect on local communities
There is a global concern regarding future demand of food production. Subsequently, Abbott suggests that "by increasing rural income and employment, it will reduce poverty and will create in increase in food demand which is beneficial to both donors and underdeveloped countries"(Stewart,2012).
Global aid corporations such as the UN estimate that"40 billion dollars a year would need to be invested in order for agricultural production to grow fast enough to meet the world’s food needs"(Stewart, 2012).
Abbot states, "that Donors must pay attention to how agricultural production can adapt to the effects of climate change and to how agricultural production can
develop in a sustainable manner" (Stewart, 2012).
We must also consider the negative effects and implications that this food production may cause on the environment (ex - soil degradation, pollution, etc)
They are aiming to make a long term solution that will increase the livelihood of individuals living in the economy
For example, In May 2012, the Obama administration announced the “New Alliance for Food Security”. The project enlists 45 private companies who are to invest in food production in some of the world′s poorest countries (Stewart, 2012)
Private global companies are working together with governments to invest in food production in underdeveloped countries
Food availability has a direct impact on health
Malnutrition is a medical condition where there are deficiencies or excesses in essential nutrients
Many individuals around the world suffer due to a lack of opportunity/ability to earn enough income to buy food
Chronic Hunger
Effects of chronic hunger include:
- High infant mortality rates
- increased vulnerability to illnesses
- Poor physical and mental development of children
Shortage of food
Political conflicts have detrimental and damaging effects on economic growth
Stops local communities from growing and having cultural foods
In times of political conflict, farming is disrupted and crops do not grow well
Starvation; which is extreme hunger that occurs over an extended period of time
Political conflict can lead to the destruction of; food supply, farmland, infrastructure, etc. --> (Which in return causes famine)
Have adverse effects on the culture of the family which is experiencing famine
Slows economic growth of the country and can affect the economic sustainability of country
Cause widespread poverty, political and social instability, a declining work force <-- (all which must be solved by the government)
Famine; which is a shortage of food caused by a temporary failure of food production or food distribution
Natural disasters and/or inadequate environmental conditions for farming
Farmers in ecoomic stress cannot support their families and cannot provide cultural meals
Monsanto also creates herbicides that have detrimental effects on the environment. --> (leads to loss of biodiversity, pollution, decrease in soil condition, etc)
Monsanto leaves millions of farmers in India in economic distress and debt. Small farmers in India take their own lives due to financial debt
Monsanto is a company that produces genetically modified crops, herbicides, and pesticides. They also produce seeds and sell it to farmers
The Green Revolution involved the widespread use of chemicals in agriculture that had many unintentional impacts on the environment
Increased production of new and high-yielding varieties of grains --> (Farmers can now create cultural meals at a cheaper prices)
Decrease in food prices and an overall increase
in accessibility to foods
Norman Borlaug (determined to stop world hunger), developing incredible varieties of wheat that will increase agricultural production in developing parts of the world. (The Green Revolution)
Developing countries that have an increasing risk of hunger and famine for an increasing population
Increase in diversity of cultural commodities available worldwide and year round
Leads to increase in employment opportunities
Increased government income through taxes and export revenue
Cash crops improve the transportation infrastructure that form part of the export process
Cash Cropping can have detrimental effects on the environment, such as; soil degradation, increased insects/pests, etc
Sustainable farming practices that reduce crop yield/profit will not be incorporated into cash crops
It is generally presumed that majority of farmers will
eat whatever food they are producing, and that farmers are growing solely for their families
Cooking, storage, water & sanitation, hygiene, individuals health, etc
Ensuring Food Security
By: Iqbal Najafi
Economic
Unemployment for farmers
Farmers going into debt, distress, etc
Less food = increase in prices for food
Healthier Populations result in a greater work force
More food = increase in work force
of population = increase in economy
Cash crops generate a better profit because they only have equipment and materials suited to one crop
Political
Government can import food from other countries, through trade or aid
Government must consider stock, production, etc
Food Availability:
Government must ensure that food is available in sufficient quantities on a consistent basis
The majority of farmers are growing only one crop;
also known as a "cash crop"
If the government ensures that food is available in sufficient quantities
Cultural
Food Utilization:
Food that is consumed must have a positive nutritional
impact on people
People will have access to make their own cultural foods
& improve on their wellbeing
Other factors include:
- Deforestation
- Overgrazing
- Over-cultivation
Less strain on the natural environment
Social
Food Access:
People must have the ability to obtain enough
quantities of food, whether that be through purchase,
production from home, gifts, borrowing, etc
ensures that they maintain a healthy and active life
Family sizes will decrease and there will be a lower birth rate
