Introduction
Amidst persistent crisis in offering food security to the global population; the ultimate mission now, is providing reasonably high-quality food that is sustainable and healthy. Developing countries are worse hit with issues of malnutrition creating havoc. Food security is not a one-dimensional case; it affects and influences prospects of the upcoming generation in several spheres of life. Through this paper, I intend to address this crisis in the modern context and how we as responsible citizens can bring about potential changes.
Issues of Global Food Security
According to Global Food Security (2014), the challenge is a continuous supply of sustainable and nutritious food to the growing population. Owing to several issues in farming and availability of agricultural land; the aim is to utilize less land area and capital and needs to be at par with drastic climatic changes worldwide and slumping resources. Availability of fertilizer, fuel, transport and communication adds up to the complexity of the issue. The report mentions that the world’s population would soar up to 98n by 2050 that draws attention towards the extremely high price of staple foods. Associated with food shortage is the increasing mortality rate from hunger and malnutrition (as cited in Global Food Security, 2014).
I aim to offer possible ways on how to best feed the world via considerable recommendations. Even after regular attempts, governments have failed to fix issues of hunger and poverty. Corruption at ministerial level has often resulted in scam with money allocation for food security being squandered. Though I am not dealing with political corruption in this essay directly, but it would form a part of my recommendation later in this essay.
Food security and social justice
Failure to eliminate world hunger is one of the many social injustices. Food for survival is the basic human need. For societal progress and sustenance, a healthy body and mind serve the goal. According to UNFAO (2012), approximately 870 million people suffered from severe malnutrition in 2010-2012 and most lived in developing countries, though a significant figure of 16 million belonged to developed countries (as cited in Continuum, 2014). It urther stated that, though economic progress boosted food security to a certain extent in Asia and Latin America, but Africa’s undernourished population continue to multiply at one in four people (as cited in Continuum, 2014).
If challenges of food security are not met, the global population runs the risk of becoming vulnerable to chronic diseases. Recent evidences show that some countries have taken up providing global food security as a pivotal mission. Yi (2014) reported that China being the most populous country is successfully working towards achieving food security. In the latest development, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced that China has planned to donate 50 million U.S. dollars to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in the next five years. It stated that from 1990-92 to 2012-14, 209 million people have been given aid for a better living, and China alone has managed to reduce the number of malnourished population by 138 million during this period.
However, it is impossible for an individual country to meet the needs of the global population. Social injustice and economic gap between economic classes will continue to thrive unless a common goal is desired by one and all irrespective of communal and political differences,
Stakeholders involved and perspectives
Here, I discuss three stakeholders’ viewpoints and how they are dealing with issues of food security. The target is to find out any potential difference in their approach that might be the reason behind the continuous increase in undernourished people worldwide.
The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) was set up in 1974, is a intergovernmental body that includes The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) or The World Food Programme (WFP) and non-Member States of FAO that are Member States of the United Nations (as cited in CFS, 2014). According to CFS (2009), its mission is in encouraging coordinated attempts by several committed stakeholders with the purpose of eliminating hunger. It strives to make the right to food as mandatory for achieving goals of national food security. It implements international strategies, besides formulating plans of meeting food requirements at both national and regional levels. Bigger plans that target core problems are the vision of this organization. It makes its stakeholders accountable for fair dealing and offer transparent solutions to food insecurities. However, in a report issued last year, CFS (2013) identifies additional aspects for practical realization of this goal. Boosting investments through improvised market shares and technology, enabling small organizations and stakeholders to gain access to markets and reducing risk in investments and infrastructure are some of the main strategies that CFS implements.
According to the World Economic Forum’s New Vision for Agriculture (2014) based in Geneva, agriculture is the main force behind catalyzing global food security. Targeting to feed a population of 9 billion in 2050, it tries to promote “New Vision for Agriculture” - delivering food security, environmental viability and economic prosperity through agriculture. Through this objectives, it would also reestablish rural economy. It urges for active involvement of farmers to bring about the changes and include national level partnerships across Asia, Africa and Latin America. It realizes the long-term impact of agricultural growth to avoid drastic “water scarcity, climate change and volatility”. Vidal (2012) explained that there are warnings from water scientists that in the next 40 years, the global population might have to opt for a complete vegetarian diet owing to shortage in water supply. The cost of staples like wheat and corn has already soared by 50% owing to droughts in the US, Russia and Asia. So, the role of agriculture in providing food security goes beyond focusing on production of crops and equipments involved. Water shortage can tremendously affect the way propositions of food security are taking place. Mandela (2002) acknowledged the “centrality of water” in socio-political and economic issues globally (as cited in Babel, 2002). According to World Economic Forum (2011), utility of water is linked with several other factors like urbanization, climate changes, and economic development that affect safety and security of food (as cited in Babel, 2002).
Here, I refer to another stakeholders’ forum congregated by the Government of the Republic of Malawi in April 2014, under the banner name “Empowering Youth and Women for Food and Nutrition Security”. Malawi’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Honourable Benton Kutsaira observed that the current challenge is providing “physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food”. Improvisation and access to agricultural land for everyone including women, youth and the physically challenged section were on his agenda. He also focused on information technology and communication that determine progress and development of market and agricultural businesses. Water and sanitation facilities and altering cultural practices were also prioritized by him (as cited in South African Development Community, 2014).
Analysis of the different perspectives of the stakeholders claims that they all are targeting to reach the same mission and vision through different channels, ways and sources. They have successfully identified the additional factors that affect food security. Even though the stakeholders’ forum at Malawi set its objectives mainly at the local and national level, but the agenda formulated by the government is similar to the one that cater towards global food security. The basic difference among the stakeholders is their approach towards attaining this mission, which directly or indirectly traverses the same path.
Analysis of global food security in relation to the common good and the principles of human flourishing
The heightened pace of hunger and food insecurity draws global attention to not just the basic right to food, but several interconnected social and individual developmental factors. Spheres of education, employment, women health and upliftment, ratio of a deformed fetus, cultural practices, sanitation, transportation and communication are all involved in this unit of food insecurity. Thus, if principles of human flourishing and common good are to be met, these obstacles need to be overcome. According to the Center of Concern (2008), welfare of the community, without being exploited by authorities in power maintain peace and decorum in society. Stability and security are the essential features for attaining complete human flourishing.
Common good and human flourishing is theoretically explained based upon concepts that practically affect societies. In this context, I apply the concept of Universal Destination of Goods. Clark (2011) explained that the idea elaborates on how individuals have few basic rights that emphasize on equal treatment for all, regardless of how economic rights are distributed,. The outcome is fair and explains how the economic gap in different countries shouldn’t have any impact upon how the weaker class should have access to food and good health.
Issues on human prosperity could be further enhanced by adopting principles of United Nations promotion of peace. International cooperation to bring about, equality and justice towards the global society, and fostering respect towards basic human rights is crucial for maintenance of peace (as cited in United Nations General Assembly, 2005). These purposes refer to sustainable development of society, and until the basic need- right to food is met, it cannot be achieved. Here, Gutierrez (1971) argued on principles of the preferential option and explained that poverty is the result of “structural injustice”, that benefits some while marginalizing others (as cited in Dear, 2011). Global hunger is directly related to economic structures and employment options, state corruption, education and several other factors that instigate conflict, which in turn amplify poverty and hunger.
Here, Clapp & Cohen (2009) explained that the steep rise in food prices made the global food system intensely fragile. This rise in prices affects the income level of individual households as the poor section of the community in developing countries spends about 60-80 percent of their income on food. There exists tremendous gap between agricultural spending and investments between the elite industrialized countries and the developing zone. Developed countries are estimated to spend almost US$300 billion per year on agriculture while areas of sub-Saharan Africa are regularly jostling with poor infrastructure, conflict, extreme weather conditions. Even though private players are coming in as the main actors for determining input sales, marketing and retailing, but the reality is that such boom in the agricultural sector is limited to few large multinationals that use the capital for their own profit. Fallacy in global governance structure presents poorly coordinated food and health issues on a global scale (as cited in Clapp & Cohen, 2009, p. 7).
Schanbacher (2010, p. 27) emphasizes on microfinance that not only paves the way for sustainable food production and security, but it also attempts to target the underlying causes of this issue. Through microfinance, the weaker and poorer sections of the society can attain the possible economic stability. They would have access to loans that they can repay at lower interest rates. The idea is to enable people generate a steady source of income which would assist them in opting for proper medical care, a healthy diet and coping with poverty.
Resolution and recommendations
Promoting welfare of the global society requires implementing the stakeholders’ perspectives (discussed above) at the regional level through a global campaign. In order to boost investment in the agricultural sector, the common ground for the three stakeholders in reducing financial risk needs to be met. Sanction of loans and cutting down on infrastructural cost would help weaken the class differences that dominates world society. Instead of giant players coming in and privatizing the food sector, accountable NGO’s can help in ensuring commitment and delivery results even in remote areas. Educating farmers, youth and women would help address the change in consumption patterns and climatic changes that affect individual health and prosperity. According to the Global Food Security Strategic Plan 2011-2016 (2013), it focuses on food affordability, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, changes in political governance are mandatory in bringing about changes at the international level. Regular campaigns on women and children, nutrition and health care, should aid in maneuvering development in rural areas. Lowering cost of grains, fertilizers, land, import, and export shall enhance agricultural trade.
These plans if coordinated wisely and distributed equally can go a long way in feeding a growing population globally. China has been a great example in alienating and minimizing the undernourished population, but it must be a global attempt to eradicate and win the war on hunger.
Conclusion
After a thorough research on the persistent issues of global food security, it can be concluded that to cater to the common good of human society, it is important to address the persistent issues. Presently, the efforts and initiatives are limited to the elite class with the rural areas still remaining isolated. If these resolutions are followed and fairly coordinated for the sake of human flourishing and non-profit motifs, then the objective of abolishing food crisis can be attained. Dialogue with common people would enable transparent dealing and encourage community involvement. Securing sustainable growth in food productivity and lowering poverty level can help realize the goals of the UN Millennium Development Goals (as cited in UN Summit, 2010). Having pointed to the core issues of this crisis and formulating strategies to overcome them, I believe to have attained the purpose that I set at the beginning of this paper.
References
Babel, M.S. (2002). Water scarcity and food security. Challenges in Water-Food-Energy Nexus.
Retrieved from: http://www.rid.go.th/thaicid/_5_article/6symposium/Keynote-02.pdf.
Center of Concern. (2008). The principle of the common good. Retrieved from:
https://www.coc.org/files/principle.pdf.
Clapp, J. & Cohen, M.J. (2009). The Global Food crisis. Governance challenges and
opportunities. Canada: The Centre for International Governance Innovation and Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Continuum. (2014, September 26). Come to the Table: Food Security and Sustainability as a
Social Justice Issue. Retrieved from: http://www.continuum.umn.edu/event/come-to-the-table-food-security-and-sustainability-as-a-social-justice-issue/#.VEEhsPmSyfg.
CFS. (2014). Committee on World Food Security.
Retrieved from: http://www.fao.org/cfs/cfs-home/en/.
CFS. (2013, October 7-11). Committee on World Food Security- Report. Retrieved from:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/029/mi744e.pdf.
CFS. (2009, October 14-17). Reform on the Committee on World Food Security. Retrieved from:
http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/cfs/Docs0910/ReformDoc/CFS_2009_2_Rev_2_E_K7197.pdf.
Clark, C. (2011, May 24). Universal Declaration of Goods: Why equality matters part 1.
Economics and Catholic Social Training. Retrieved from: http://economicscatholicsocialteaching.blogspot.in/2011/05/universal-destination-of-goods-why.html.
Dear, J. (2011, November 8). Gustavo Gutierrez and the preferential option for the poor.
National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved from: http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/gustavo-gutierrez-and-preferential-option-poor.
Food Security. (2013, November). Global Food Security Strategic Plan 2011-2016. Retrieved
Global Food Security. (2014). From the Global Food Security blog. Retrieved from:
http://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/index.html.
Schanbacher, W.D. (2010). The global conflict between food security and food sovereignty.
California: Praeger Security International.
South African Development Community. (2014, April 14). Towards a common future. Retrieved
UN Summit. (2010, September 20-22). We can end poverty 2015. Retrieved from:
http://www.un.org/en/mdg/summit2010/.
United Nations General Assembly. (2005, December 16). Resolution adopted by the General
Assembly. UN Documents. Retrieved from: http://www.un-documents.net/a60r163.htm.
Vidal, J. (2012, August 26). Food shortages could force world into vegetarianism, warn
scientists. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2012/aug/26/food-shortages-world-vegetarianism.
World Economic Forum. (2014). Agriculture and food society. Retrieved from:
http://www.weforum.org/issues/agriculture-and-food-security.
Yi, Y. (2014, October 16). Xinhua Insight: China contributes greatly to global food security.
Xinhuanet. Retrieved from: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-10/16/c_133719775.htm.
