Question

What are the impacts of food security?

Answer 1

Food security refers to a global situation where sufficient food is available for all groups of people (ethnicities, racial, cultural and religious groups), as well as individuals. It is required by all nations so that its citizens can lead an active, healthy life. Limited availability of food, along with poor nutrients in the food, leads to a condition of food insecurity. The major impacts of having a condition of food security are –

1. Availability
Food becomes available in sufficient quantities, and supply increases through production, distribution, and exchange. Even countries which don’t have natural agricultural resources (Japan, Singapore) can aim to become food secure through the mediums of bartering, exchange, or cash economies and efficient trading systems.

2. Access
Along with availability, the poor and undernourished must be able to access the food if the nation wants to seen as food secure. Access depends upon the socio-economic conditions of the household, and this can worsen if the household is vulnerable to food price spikes. In a food secure condition, the individual would be able to access food without resorting to socially unacceptable ways like resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies.

3. Utilization and Stability
These refer to stable availability and access over a period of time (drought, famine, wars, natural disasters etc). Long-term, persistent lack of adequate food can lead to food insecurity. The utilization of food in a proper manner that benefits the metabolism of the individual is also seen as one of the impacts of having food security. Food security also aims to provide education about nutrition and food preparation, which can affect food utilization.