The Necessity of Sustainable Food Systems to End Nutritional Disparity
By Atulya VK.
Having a fulfilling meal every day is an ecstatic blessing and a right that no one should be deprived of. Even though the world has progressed beyond measure in the past two decades, the problem of hunger still prevails as a multi-faceted and concerning global issue in the core of unprivileged and rural areas that struggle to meet their basic needs while keeping up with this fast-paced world. According to the United Nations, an estimated 811 million people suffered from chronic undernourishment between 2020-22. This number has been rising after years of decline, largely due to conflicts, climate change, economic downturns, COVID-19 impacts, and gender aspects. The fact that hunger disproportionately affects small-scale farmers—those who cultivate food for a living—is one of the most cruel ironies of the situation. It could be observed that farmers in rural areas who manage fields of five acres or less account for more than half of the world’s hunger. The absence of basic resources such as farming equipment and fertilizers causes these farmers to miss out on economic prospects.
Gender inequality is deeply interconnected with SDG 2 and its aim is to “end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition while promoting sustainable agriculture”. Women and girls, particularly in rural and agricultural communities, face significant challenges related to food, security, nutrition, and access to resources. Women typically shoulder the burden of unpaid care work, including food preparation, caring for children, and elderly family members, which affects their ability to engage in other economic or educational activities. This leads them to have limited access to resources, agricultural inputs, and technology, hindering their ability to contribute fully to food production and agricultural development.
Following are some ways in which the issues of food and hunger could be significantly reduced:
Agricultural investment: Agriculture is the most important aspect of the economic development of the country. But extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and storms, are increasingly frequent due to climate change taking a toll on farmers. These events can devastate crops, livestock, and food production, leading to food insecurity. Investing in regional agriculture boosts the local economy and helps farmers run their businesses efficiently. Therefore, to help out such farmers, organizations like the World Food Programme have commenced upon measures like the Purchase for Progress initiative, wherein they provide the guidance and apparatus necessary to expand their livelihoods by investing in rural infrastructure, agricultural research, technology development, and plant and livestock gene banks to enhance agricultural productivity. Putting money into this kind of local expertise enhances the quality of life for people within the community, thereby improving overall prosperity.
Women empowerment: Empowering women and girls can help end hunger for good and transform whole communities in the process. Especially in rural areas, it is of utmost priority to empower the female population, eradicating financial dependency among them. They need to be taught survival skills like basic education, handicrafts, farming skills, to live confidently on their own.. In this way, women would be able to equally participate in the earning process, resulting in a reduction in financial problems and hunger.
Gender issues: Gender inequalities are pervasive, even in the face of hunger and malnutrition. Women are generally the first to suffer from hunger in Indian households, although they do more work to provide food for their households. Still today, in many cultures and households, it is a tradition to prioritize the men first while the women eat later after everyone has had their fill. These inequalities in access to food and nutrition are caused by entrenched beliefs within households themselves, which support the unspoken laws of the traditional household that save the lion’s share of food for men and children. While the women are usually expected to feed themselves with what is left. With the modernizing world, many people have stopped following these customs, but they still prevail to certain extents, mostly affecting the rural strata.
School Meal Plans: Economic downturns, rising food prices, and poverty affect people’s access to sufficient, nutritious food. Unemployment, low wages, and income inequality contribute to food insecurity for many households. During such times, the government needs to play its part and help the people in need. Introducing mid-day meals would serve as a strong incentive, encouraging parents to send their kids to school. It has shown great improvement in Yemen, Kenya, Rwanda, and Syria. In Bangladesh, fortified biscuits have improved school enrollment by 14.2%, while in Madagascar, the attendance rates increased from 88% to 98% within two years of introducing packed food rations. This would also help in the equal distribution of food among the children without any disparity, as the contrary could often be noticed in hunger-ridden areas where some families would prioritize boys over girls, thinking of them as their future support and earners.
Conflict management: Wars, conflicts, and political instability disrupt food systems, leading to food shortages, limited access to markets, and the displacement of communities. In conflict zones, people are often unable to access or produce food, leading to acute hunger. Men in countries facing conflict and hunger would be out finding solutions for the issue while women take care of the family and often eat last, sacrificing for their families. This shouldn’t be the case, as it also relies on the government’s shoulders to reduce the distress among its citizens with food, aid and water in such situations. Efforts to address hunger in conflict zones require a comprehensive approach, including short-term aid for immediate relief and long-term strategies to rebuild agricultural infrastructure and create sustainable food systems. Governments play a crucial role in providing aid, security, and resources to support affected populations in these challenging circumstances. In severe humanitarian crises, the government and the United Nations should join forces to ensure water and food availability, as it’s the most basic right that no human should be deprived of in such situations.
Therefore, empowering women and promoting gender equality in decision-making processes related to agriculture, land rights, and food security is vital for achieving food security. Addressing gender inequality is crucial for the success of SDG 2 and its aim to eradicate hunger, ensure food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. It involves empowering women, ensuring their access to resources, and addressing societal norms and practices that perpetuate gender disparities in the agricultural sector. These efforts not only contribute to eradicating hunger but also to the overall advancement of sustainable development worldwide.