Presentation on Threats to the Global Environment

Analysis of food security

Introduction

The United States member states have tried as much as they can to ensure that global food security is achieved in every nation, every place and on a daily routine. The United Nations providing that food is not a problem, but having access to that food is the issue. There are a number of limitations issued by governments over the available food. Such limitations on the access of the provided food lead to ‘weaponized’ food issues. This paper consists of three sections that cover the meaning of food security, the useful technologies that can help in improving food security, as well as hunger reduction and also the specific factors that bur food flow to people in South Africa. These issues can be eradicated through governmental policies put in place to ensure that whenever food is released to the citizens, there should be no limitations on the accessibility, hence, a way to ensure food security in South Africa (Burchi et al. 2016).

Section I: Background

The United Nations define food security as the ability with which people of a given country are able to physically, socially and economically gain access to sufficient, nutritious and safe food (Burchi et al. 2016). These feed should meet their daily preferences as well as the required dietary supplements that offers active and healthy lifestyles. Food security is a concept that came into existence in the mid 1970s. It first emerged during the international food issues which occurred during the global crisis on food. Initially, the focus on food was directed on issues related to food supply. It was aimed at assuring that food is available and the prices are stable enough both nationally and internationally. Essentially, security in food supply and accessibility is a phenomenon that is relative to individual levels (Burchi et al. 2016). Nutritional levels of a given household are what matters in food security. However, more focus is directed on the barriers that limit accessibility of the available due to government regulations.

Population growth plays a vital role on food security as well as related matters. Production of food depends on the croplands as well as the amount of water supplied, which is influenced by population increase. Limited resources of land and related pressures have an impact on expansion of croplands, which is a result of population growth. Population growth often results to destruction of arable land and forestry leading to over-exploitation of thereof, hence, affecting food security. In most cases, the power exerted by population growth rate always surpasses the ability of the earth to substantially produce food for human consumption. Therefore, in general, as the population grows, food security becomes a concern due to the need to feed the population.

Section II: Technologies That Can Reduce Hunger and Improve Food Security

Globally, more than 793 million people face food insecurity, and South Africa is not an exemption. As much as some societies might be able to have their daily meals with ease, there are individuals who totally struggle to have a single meal in a day. Fortunately, there are various technological advances that can be employed and utilized by the South African government to reduce hunger, as well as improve on food security. The forms of technology used to carry out these activities include; irrigational, water harvesting as well as techniques used for conservation of water (Valdes & A. 2019).

These technological forms are essential for addressing constraints related to water scarcity in South Africa and, hence, essential for food production that in return will improve food security and reduce hunger issues. Poor and unfertile soils, unsuitable temperatures, pests and diseases cause low food production, hence, a need to address such (Peter 2015). More so, some losses are incurred during storage and processing and, hence, technological advances in such sectors would vitally address losses in tuber and root crop production. Similarly, technology also helps in improving the varieties of crops planted on the arable land, hence, generating more food to address the issues of food insecurity.

The most probable causes of food insecurity that these technologies attempt to address in South Africa are poor soils, water scarcity, unsuitable temperatures as well as poor storage facilities (Peter 2015). More so, more food security complications arise due to governmental instability, social inequity as well as economical instabilities. Technology is vital for provision of basic and extra food to the needy populations. Also, poor and old versioned varieties of crops tend to low the yields produced and, hence, the technological advances improve varieties planted on farms.

Section III: Specific factors in chosen developing country

Even though South Africa is advancing both politically and economically, the country still faces food insecurity as well as unemployment (Will 2010). According to the recent studies, access of food as well as the measurements of thereof has been under focus. Even if food is somehow available in the market, several households are unable to access the food. Therefore, there are several factors that interrupt the way food flows from the source to the needy household in South Africa (Valdes & A. 2019). The first factor is the distance from the source. It is noted that households from the urban centers are likely to have access to the food sources or available food as compared to households from remote settings. More so, governmental barriers and policies placed on the food released limits and ‘weapons’ the flow of the food. It is unfortunate that the government of South Africa have imposed regulations and controls over the amount of food released to its citizens (Will 2010). The population is drastically growing and, hence, limiting the flow of food provided towards the people causes alarms of food security in South Africa. Moreover, the government of South Africa maintains control over population by limiting access to nutritious food to certain groups of people. Therefore, in this case, food is used as a weapon for population control and not a factor to solve food insecurity in the country. Majority of South African citizens are unable to access the land in South Africa (Valdes & A. 2019). Another crucial factor that limits the flow of food from the source to the people in South Africa is transportation network. Poor roads limit faster transportation of food especially perishable food and, hence, only those households around the source can access such food.

Conclusion

In summary, there are a number of considerations that the United Nations can use for future policy decisions. It is important for the UN to put in place policies that ensures proper flow of food to the needy households regardless of the location. Also, the government should not use food as a weapon to control population but rather use it as a weapon to fight food insecurity. Moreover, technological advancements should be considered in an attempt to improve food production as well as address food insecurity issues.

References

Burchi, F., & De Muro, P. (2016). From food availability to nutritional capabilities: Advancing food security analysis. Food Policy, 60, 10-19.