More than 3.4 billion people – 42% of the world’s population – are under the age of 25 and are confronted with unsustainable and highly vulnerable food systems. This is according to the latest Global Hunger Index (GHI), released in October 2023. Despite international efforts to achieve zero hunger by 2030, little progress has been made in reducing global hunger since 2015. The same source states that the prevalence of undernourishment has been on the rise, with the number increasing from 572 million in 2017 to approximately 735 million today. We asked DevelopmentAid experts what the reasons for this are and you can find their answers in the article below.
Key Takeaways:
- Nearly three-quarters of a billion people are unable to exercise their right to adequate food.
- The impacts of climate change, conflicts, economic shocks, the global pandemic, and the Russia-Ukraine war have reversed previous progress in reducing hunger in many countries.
- Large demographic groups such as women and youth are carrying the burden of these crises.
- Experts state that achieving ‘zero hunger’ by 2030 is feasible if world leaders take swift action to address critical issues such as climate change, global conflicts, trade imbalances, and poverty.
- Young people are urgently needed to replenish an aging agricultural labor force and bring innovative ideas to transition to sustainable food systems.
DevelopmentAid: Why is hunger on the rise despite numerous efforts to tackle it?
“There are several factors, but the main ones are:
- Climate change: Altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events such as prolonged droughts and destructive floods because of climate change are greatly devastating crops and exacerbate shortages in food supply.
- Conflict and instability: Ongoing conflicts and political instability in various regions are additional factors disrupting food production, distribution, and access. As an illustration, the Russia-Ukraine war has had a significant impact on both food production and distribution in the affected areas. Displaced populations resulting from these conflicts frequently face challenges in obtaining an adequate food supply.
- Economic inequality: Income inequality, both within and among countries, results in limited food access for marginalized populations. With a growing global population, the demand for the already limited food supply increases, leading to higher food prices that make it difficult for many to afford. This problem is further compounded by a high unemployment rate, particularly among the youth, who constitute a significant portion of the population.
- Food loss and waste: Significant amounts of food are lost or wasted at different stages of the supply chain, ranging from production to consumption. This wastage diminishes the overall availability of food. One of the contributing factors is inadequate post-harvest management which exacerbates the problem of food loss and limits the amount of food reaching those in need.”
“Hunger rates have been on the rise and this is likely to continue as world food systems face a perfect storm. On the demand side, the global population is predicted to rise to as high as 10 billion, and per capita consumption is increasing as billions transition to middle-class lifestyles, notably in Asia. Meanwhile, supply is severely threatened by the impact of fast-escalating climate change on agriculture, and also by soil degradation, water depletion, the collapse of ecosystem services such as pollinators, and a general plateauing of yield increases. There is really no scope for land clearing, while much land is lost to urban expansion. Some scope exists for agricultural intensification and through sustainable, resilient farming practices but this requires a greater investment, notably in supporting the smallholder farmers who produce most of our food. This looming food crisis is amplified by rapidly increasing wealth and income inequality. As food prices rise, an increasing number of people everywhere will be unable to access sufficient and healthy food. An international food distribution treaty is needed to curb speculation with food futures, price gauging by food traders and retailers, and any excesses of food nationalism such as sudden export bans. The signatories would also need to commit to reducing inequality at all levels.”
DevelopmentAid: Is it possible for the zero hunger objective to be achieved by 2030? Discuss your perspective.
“While addressing global hunger is undoubtedly a complex challenge, it remains feasible to achieve zero hunger by 2030. This will be attainable if world leaders take swift action to advocate for and implement treaties that aim to address critical issues such as climate change, global conflicts, trade imbalances, and poverty. These challenges are intrinsically interconnected and significantly contribute to the overarching global threats that we face. For instance, trade imbalances have the effect of perpetuating poor infrastructure in certain countries, including inadequate road networks and inefficient transportation systems. This, in turn, leads to the wastage of food due to difficulties in moving it from farms to markets, ultimately resulting in reduced food access. Such inefficiencies further contribute to high levels of unemployment and subsequent population migration, often driven by economic hardship. Notably, the continued impact of climate change exacerbates these issues, particularly in countries that are already vulnerable to economic instability, increasing the risk of ongoing poverty and food insecurity.”
DevelopmentAid: International organizations stress that young people must have a central role in the transformation of food systems. What are the reasons? Argue your position.
“Young people represent an underutilized resource in the pursuit of zero hunger. There is currently a larger young population in the world than ever before, constituting 16% of the global populace. This demographic dividend possesses significant potential to enact constructive change. Notably, the field of food systems already serves as the primary source of employment for young people globally. When mobilized and empowered, the youth become a generation of pioneers in agriculture and environmental stewardship, propelling the creation of a nourishing, sustainable, and robust food system that benefits both individuals and the planet. Young people are characterized by their energy, good health, and ambition, making them enthusiastic drivers of economic development. They also exhibit a keen interest in adopting novel technologies. Their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas frequently introduce new dimensions to discussions. Many young individuals are enthusiastic about establishing their agricultural enterprises and food-related ventures. Their entrepreneurial spirit can lead to the emergence of sustainable, locally sourced food alternatives. With their creativity and willingness to embrace modern technologies and practices, young people hold considerable influence in shaping the sustainable, resilient, healthy, and equitable food systems that are imperative for the present and the future.”
“Young people are urgently needed to replenish a seriously aging agricultural labor force, and to bring innovative ideas to the task of transitioning to sustainable food systems. Some farmer movements (such as SPI in Indonesia, where most of my research is undertaken) are now setting up inspirational ‘young farmers schools’, and governments should support this.”
See also: What does the future of food systems look like? | Experts’ Opinions
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