Global Supply of Food

This section explains global supply of food and calorie intake. Despite the fact that global food production is sufficient to feed the entire human population, food insecurity remains a major issue. An estimated 828 million people worldwide experience hunger, and food supply is unevenly distributed due to economic, environmental, and political factors.

Global Food Supply

Different regions specialise in the production of specific food types due to variations in climate, soil fertility, and economic investment in agriculture.

• Asia: The leading producer of cereal crops such as rice, wheat, and sugar. It also produces the largest share of meat, milk, and fish.
• South America: Dominates the production of oil crops such as soybeans.
• North America: Produces the most coarse grains, which are used as animal feed and in brewing.
• Europe: A major producer of barley and the second-largest producer of pork, milk, and fish.
• Africa, Central America, and Oceania: Generally produce fewer staple crops compared to other continents.

Global Calorie Intake

Calorie consumption varies significantly between different parts of the world.

• The highest calorie consumption (3,270 - 3,770 kcal/person/day) is in North America, South America, and Europe.
• The lowest calorie consumption (below 1,890 kcal/person/day) is found in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The staple foods of lower-income countries (LICs) are corn, wheat, and rice, which generally provide fewer calories compared to meat-based diets.
• Higher-income countries (HICs) consume more animal products, processed foods, and high-calorie fast foods.

Reasons for Increasing Food Consumption

Global food consumption has been increasing over the past 50 years, driven by:

Economic Development:

• Rising incomes enable people to buy more food.
• HICs experience high levels of food waste due to over-purchasing.
• Processed and fast foods have become more common due to advertising and convenience.
• Example: The USA and Italy have average daily calorie intakes exceeding 3,440 kcal per person, while countries such as Chad and Somalia consume less than 2,850 kcal per person.

Rising Population:

• The global population is projected to exceed 8.5 billion by 2030, increasing demand for food.
• The fastest population growth is occurring in LICs and Newly Emerging Economies (NEEs) such as India and China.

Measuring Hunger

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is used to measure hunger levels in different countries. A score between 0 (no hunger) and 100 (widespread hunger) is assigned based on:

• Undernourishment – Percentage of people consuming too few calories.
• Child underweight rate – Percentage of children under five who are underweight.
• Child mortality – Death rate of children under five, often linked to malnutrition.

Case Study: Hunger in Chad

• Chad ranks among the worst countries for food insecurity with a GHI score of 45.4 (2022), categorised as “alarming”.
• Frequent droughts and conflicts have led to chronic food shortages.
• Poor infrastructure makes it difficult to transport food to remote areas.

Factors Affecting Food Supply

Environmental Factors

• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events (e.g., droughts, floods) reduce crop yields.
• Soil Erosion: Over farming and deforestation deplete soil nutrients.

Technological and Economic Factors

• Lack of technology: Many LICs cannot afford irrigation, fertilisers, and modern farming machinery.
• Pests and diseases: Farmers in LICs struggle to control crop pests due to the high cost of pesticides.
• Biofuels: Farmland is increasingly used for growing biofuel crops instead of food crops.

Political and Social Factors

• Conflict: Wars disrupt farming and food distribution (e.g., the Syrian Civil War has caused food shortages).
• Poverty: People in LICs spend a large percentage of their income on food, leaving them vulnerable to price increases.

Impacts of Food Insecurity

• Hunger and Malnutrition – Prolonged food shortages can lead to famine and disease.
• Soil Erosion – Overcultivation and overgrazing damage soil.
• Rising Food Prices – Supply shortages cause global food prices to increase.
• Social Unrest – Food shortages have sparked riots, such as the Venezuelan Food Riots (2016-2017).

Strategies to Increase Food Supply

Irrigation

• Supplying water to crops increases yields, especially in dry regions.
• Case Study: Indus Basin Irrigation System (Pakistan)
  • One of the world's largest irrigation schemes, providing water to 16 million hectares of farmland.

Aeroponics and Hydroponics

• Aeroponics: Plants are grown in the air with nutrient mist sprayed on the roots.
• Hydroponics: Plants grow in water containing dissolved nutrients instead of soil.
• Case Study: Singapore’s Sky Greens Vertical Farms
  • Uses hydroponics to grow crops in a small urban space, reducing dependence on imports.

The New Green Revolution

• Uses high-yield crop varieties, irrigation, and genetic engineering to improve food security.
• Case Study: Drought-Resistant Wheat in India
  • Scientists have developed wheat varieties that can withstand extreme heat and drought conditions.

Biotechnology

• Genetic modification (GM) improves crop resistance to pests and extreme weather.
• Case Study: Bt Cotton in India
  • A genetically modified cotton plant that resists pests, increasing farmer profits.

Appropriate Technology

• Simple and affordable tools designed for LIC farmers, such as drip irrigation systems.

Sustainable Food Production

Organic Farming

• Avoids artificial fertilisers and pesticides, reducing environmental damage.

Urban Farming

• Growing food in cities using greenhouses and rooftop gardens.
• Case Study: Havana, Cuba
  • Over 200 urban farms supply fresh vegetables to city residents.

Sustainable Fishing

• Uses quotas and selective nets to prevent overfishing.
• Case Study: Norway’s Sustainable Fishing Policy
  • Norway has strict limits on fish catches to protect fish stocks.

Reducing Food Waste

• Developed nations must reduce waste, and consumers should buy only what they need.
• Case Study: France’s Food Waste Laws (2016)
  • Supermarkets are banned from throwing away edible food and must donate it to charities.

Conclusion

Solving global food insecurity requires a combination of technological advancements, sustainable farming, and international cooperation. By implementing efficient irrigation, biotechnology, and responsible consumption, food production can be increased while protecting the environment.