Annals of the University of Oradea: Economic Science (Jul 2020)
FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY
Abstract
Consumption patterns are constantly shifting towards higher value- added products. There have been positive changes in the fight against global hunger, but despite progress, the world is still a long way from a sustainable food security system. The extreme climate is increasing production risk and placing a growing burden on farmers. Climate change poses a threat to the food supply of both rural and urban populations. Extreme climate events also have a negative impact on agricultural production in the long run, as exposure to risk and increasing uncertainty affect the introduction of effective economic innovations. Sustainable agriculture is essential to safeguard the future. At the same time, the growing population must continue to be provided with the proper quantity and quality of food without further destroying the environment and biodiversity. This endeavour is a huge challenge for scientists, producers, policy makers and consumers. There is no simple or easy solution to feeding the expected 9 billion people sustainably, especially if consumption patterns follow the current unsustainable trend. Sustainable food production can only be achieved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption. We must avoid further loss of biodiversity, not only because biodiversity provides many of the public goods on which humanity relies, but also because we have no right to deprive future generations of the goods provided by nature. Together, these challenges raise a critical issue that needs to be addressed. The solution of this issue requires a social revolution that breaks down barriers to the flow of information between the science of food production and agriculture. The goal is not only to maximise productivity, but also to optimise the results of production, environmental protection and social justice (the equality of food distribution) in a much more complex way.
