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This chapter explores the issue of world food problems, focusing on the increasing world population, regions experiencing rapid growth, and the persistent problem of insufficient nutrition. It also discusses the challenges in increasing world food supply, including land limitations, capital investment, and cultural and institutional concerns. Additionally, it examines potential solutions such as genetic breakthroughs, export diversification, arable land expansion, political and institutional changes, and fish farming.
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Chapter 16: World Food World Food Issues
World population 4.83 billion or more Perhaps 500 million or more undernourished (plus those in centrally planned economies)
Estimated number of People withInsufficient Protein/EnergySupply by Regions (1974)
Since 1974, China has made great strides in feeding its people, and there is less hunger in Latin America than was true 50 years ago Less developed african nations remain the most important areas of the world for insufficient caloric intake, plus certain countries in other parts of the world, such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia are still experiencing the most rapid growth in population, and these are areas where world hunger persists
Approximately 7.1 billion people currently living in the world (US Bureau of the Census, 2010)
Population in North America, Europe, Oceana, and parts of Asia increasing slowly Africa, Latin America and parts of Asia increasing rapidly Greatest population growth in countries least able to feed themselves
Geographical Distribution of World Food Problem, 1985 Band of Calorie-Deficient Countries ' ' 65 percent of world population 65 percent of world population 65 percent of world population 20 percent of world-wide agricultural production 20 percent of world-wide agricultural production 20 percent of world-wide agricultural production
Percent of Population Undernourished according to UN Statistics (Wikipedia, “malnutrition”)
Diets in Developed Countries High in Meat & Animal Products High animal protein High fat Diets in Third World countries Low in Meat & Animal Products Lack Animal Protein Soybeans, Rice Low-fat high carbohydrate protein balance Calories not enough
Issues in increasing world food supply Land where needs are greatest not well suited to food production Capital investment to improve production efficiency Where does capital come from? Foreign currency issues Economic development Export market development Genetic improvements Cultural, Institutional, Religious concerns (sacred cows)
U.S. Efforts: 1. Food give-aways Public Law 480 "food for peace" 2. Private donations & assistance 3. Technical assistance Federal government (AID) Universities 4. Loans & Grants for capital investment 5. Efforts at genetic improvement (help grow food, not give them food)
Barriers: 1. Acts of god (hurricane, flood) 2. Cultural & Religious barriers 3. Limitations due to poor soil inadequate rainfall 4. Financial barriers (loans become grants) 5. Institutional barriers Financial incentives to farmers "Low cost" food for consumers
Possibilities: 1. Genetic Breakthroughs 2. Exports of nonfood items by third world countries as a source of foreign currency to buy food 3. Increase arable land base irrigation Saudi Arabia did it but requires major capital investment Cutting the rainforest! 4. Political & Institutional changes "Farm policy" of third world nation 5. Fish farming and food from the Sea
Limits: 1. Generosity of the US & other developed countries Phenomenal genetic breakthroughs occur 2. infrequently and are often unplanned 3. Only huge capital investments could make some land suitable for ag use 4. Greenhouse effect, ozone layer other environmental concerns 5. Bounty of the sea not limitless Malthus--food supply grows arithmetically population geometrically
