Global Upheaval Undermining Food Security – Matin Qaim
Aug 15, 2023
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Matin Qaim, Director of the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn, discusses the challenges of achieving food security amidst disruptions caused by the pandemic, rising inflation, and failed grain deals. He highlights the importance of small-scale farming, agroecological approaches, and appropriate technology for supporting smallholder farmers.
The disruption of the grain deal between Russia and Ukraine has led to rising grain prices and concerns about food insecurity in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
To achieve food security, countries must invest in agricultural technology and infrastructure while promoting healthier consumption patterns.
Deep dives
Implications of the grain deal falling apart
The grain deal between Russia and Ukraine, which greatly aided global food security, has fallen apart. This deal was crucial as both countries are major food producers and exporters, accounting for a significant portion of international wheat, maize, and sunflower oil trade. The war between Russia and Ukraine disrupted the exports, leading to skyrocketing prices and shortages in many food-importing countries. The grain deal, established with the support of Turkey and the United Nations, temporarily stabilized the situation, but Russia's recent withdrawal from the deal has caused grain prices to rise again. This has raised concerns about increasing food insecurity, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Diversification of food sources and agricultural strategies
To meet their agricultural and food needs amidst the changing landscape of grain exports, countries have been taking various approaches. Russia, as the largest wheat exporter, has increased its exports to compensate for Ukraine's decreased exports. Other countries have looked to diversify their sources of imports and have made short-term efforts to secure alternative supplies. However, increasing domestic agricultural production alone is not a sufficient solution due to limited land resources and rising fertilizer prices. Investments are crucial for agricultural technology, including improved seeds, digital tools, and infrastructure development. While there is a need for African countries to prioritize and invest in agriculture, achieving food security will require a balance between increasing domestic production and maintaining open borders for international trade.
Challenges and resilience in the face of food security
In recent years, food security has faced worsened challenges due to factors such as the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflation. Lockdown measures resulted in income losses for vulnerable populations, escalating hunger. While awareness and education are important, access to affordable and nutritious food remains a critical issue. Building resilience involves both addressing supply-side issues, such as investing in agricultural technology and infrastructure, as well as demand-side changes, including promoting healthier consumption patterns. Achieving sustainable food security requires considering the environmental impacts of agriculture, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation. Balancing trade and local production, investing in small-scale farming, and reducing excessive meat consumption are vital steps towards a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Matin Qaim, Director of the Center for Development Research at the University of Bonn, examines the various aspects comprising food security, namely local and global supply chains, the generation of income for local farmers, investments in the production of nutritious foods, as well as accounting for climate externalities. Attaining food security has become even more difficult given the disruptions around the pandemic, rising inflation, and the failed Black Sea grain deal. He asserts that small-scale farming and agroecological approaches are not necessarily low-tech and that certain technologies, if applied correctly, can assist smallholder farmers.
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