Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.
Food security is a fundamental aspect of human lives. However, lack of sufficient food to feed the human population has resulted in concerns and development of technological solutions to overcome the crisis. Currently, the food prices have gone up, and it has become harder for citizens from developing countries to access this basic commodity required for nutritional value. Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.The government in some of the developing countries have used the shortage as a tool of controlling its people; it uses access to food as a weapon against different groups. Food restrictions have been used to disempower certain groups in the country. Population growth, financial strain, and lack of sufficient farming land have contributed to the increase of food insecurity in developing nations like Zimbabwe. Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.
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Food security refers to the ability of individuals to access adequate quantity and quality of food. Factors that affect food security in developing countries include poverty, political stability, infrastructure, food production, and health among others. Population growth in developing countries like Zimbabwe has led to fewer people having access to balanced diets. Food production has significantly reduced over the years with grain production as depicted in the decline of grains in Africa by 12% (Maisonet-Guzman, 2011). Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment. The rising population has put a strain on agriculture, resulting in strain on land and low food production to sustain the people. The number of people affected by food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa has risen by 20 million between the years 2007-2012. In the case of Zimbabwe, the population growth is significant while the production of food has continued to decline. Therefore, due to poverty, fewer people have access to the right quality and quantity of food. The economic crisis in Zimbabwe has greatly affected the financial situation of its citizens and the constant increase in the basic commodity makes it difficult for most people to consume balanced diets. Population growth has led to an increase in poverty levels in the Sub Saharan Africa therefore compromising food accessibility (Maisonet-Guzman, 2011). The country produces very little to cater to its population and even when there is food not all citizens can afford to buy it. According to WFP, food insecurity has risen in African countries due to the increased population that has affected the demand for food and the reduced productivity that has reduced the supply of food.
Factors that Interrupt Food Flow in Zimbabwe
One of the greatest droughts that hit Zimbabwe happened in April 2002. The country declared a national drought disaster. The harvests for the year were dismal and could not sustain the population considering the previous year had been at 74% of the average of the past five years. The next year was not any better as the harvest went even lower. The World Food Program had to step in and start emergency feeding programs before the situation got out of hand (E.I.C, 2004). The crisis was blamed on poor weather, but many other factors were at play including food policies, the failing economy and poor implementation of resettlement programs. The country has always had policies put in place to ensure that it is self-sufficient in producing food for its citizens. However, the policies have not been effective due to the failure of government agencies, therefore, leading to food insecurity. WFP stepped in to ensure that they covered the food deficit to avoid malnourishment and death. The rural population was greatly affected and thus required most of the aid. However, there was some political interference from political leaders in Zimbabwe who wanted to use food aid to garner votes. The food aid was therefore used as a bargaining chip by political leaders to get themselves supporters. On the other hand, the government of Zimbabwe has been lobbying for mechanized farming, but a high level of illiteracy in agriculture has made it hard to adopt (E.I.C, 2004). Some other factors that have interrupted the flow of food in Zimbabwe include economic factors that have led to an increase in the poverty level making it hard for citizens to purchase quality food. Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.
Technologies that Reduce Food Insecurity
Food security is imperative for the survival of humankind. The United Nations has put strategies in place to ensure that it ends the world’s hunger by 2030 through its Sustainable Development Goals (Economic and Social Council, 2017).). The increase in weather pattern change has made farming unpredictable, and the use of modern technology is essential in facilitating food security (E.I.C, 2004).Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment. Providing farmers with the opportunity to connect and access information facilitates communication and interaction therefore facilitating trade while monitoring weather patterns. Farmers in rural areas would be more productive if they had access to information, financial services, and markets. Mobile networks and applications can deliver weather updates in real-time, news of disease outbreaks and new farming techniques to rural farmers through updates or SMS (Meadu, 2004). Connecting with other farmers can also help in the pricing of produce. Another form of technology that can improve food security is improving crop productivity through conventional breeding, genetic engineering and providing low-cost diagnostic tools to workers among others. Water availability can be upgraded by implementing water storage technologies that could be adopted worldwide especially in Africa (Meadu, 2004). Food access and stability could also be improved using preservation technologies that it will last longer.Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.
Conclusion
Equal access to adequate, nutritious, and safe food due to economic stability enhances food security. Developing countries continue to experience food insecurity due to the poverty levels and lack of sufficient farming land. Similarly, lack of technoloies that enhance food production minimizes production (Potato, 2004). Countries like Zimbabwe depend on foreign aid to feed its population due to the reduction in food crop harvest. The integration of technology into farming methods will facilitate a new and better future in the eradication of hunger in the world. Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.Allowing rural farmers access to information about diseases and the weather, implementing water storage technologies, developing resistant crops among others ensures food security
References
E.I.C. (2004). Food security options in Zimbabwe: multiple threats, multiple opportunities? Evidence Ideas Change. Retrieved from https://www.odi.org/publications/4591-food-security-options-zimbabwe-multiple-threats-multiple-opportunities.
Maisonet-Guzman, O. E. (2011, July 18). Food security and population growth in
the 21st century. Retrieved from http://www.e-ir.info/2011/07/18/food-security-
and-population-growth-in-the-21st-century/ Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.
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Meadu, V. (2012). Agricultural technologies for food security, or something more? Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food security. Retrieved from https://ccafs.cgiar.org/fr/blog/agricultural-technologies-food-security-or-something-more#.XF7nnvkza01
Economic and Social Council (2017). The role of science, technology, and innovation in ensuring food security by 2030. Commission on Science and Technology for Development. Retrieved from
Potato Pro (2016). The effect of population growth on efficiency in food production. Potato Pro.com. Retrieved from https://www.potatopro.com/news/2016/effect-population-growth-efficiency-food-production
Food Insecurity and Technology for Solutions Assignment.