The majority of those who are hungry worldwide reside in rural regions and work in agriculture. It is no accident that, as a result of inadequate infrastructure, people frequently lack access to basic utilities like energy and irrigation. Their susceptibility to starvation is mostly due to this lack of infrastructure. The current food systems have not succeeded in providing the impoverished with affordable and sustained access to a nutrient-dense diet. As a result, at least three billion people are undernourished, have dietary deficiencies, or are overweight. The world food system has become less effective over the last 70 years at achieving its main goal: providing wholesome food in a sustainable manner.
In order to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, nutrient-rich diets, we must overhaul the global food systems. They need to be redesigned so that everyone who grows, prepares, stores, and markets our food can make a respectable living. They have to become sustainable, equitable, and inclusive. In this study, the issues are examined and remedies are offered. The midstream businesses that provide small-scale farmers with services and inputs, as well as those who deal with the trading, storing, processing, and consumer distribution of food, must be at the center of this shift.
Committing to improving rural food production
821 million people are predicted to be hungry worldwide; financing infrastructure, such as roads, storage, and regional electricity systems, can assist create food security for them today. Approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted annually, or one-third of the food produced for human use. Grain and rice silos, cold storages, and warehouses are examples of storage facilities that are essential to guaranteeing food security and putting an end to hunger. Governments ought to establish special funds with the express purpose of funding infrastructure initiatives related to storage. Financing on favorable terms can also be given to farmers or cooperatives to invest in agricultural storage, either via a partner bank or a specific infrastructure program. Reducing post-harvest loss requires better methods, infrastructure, and capacity for storage.
Up to 25% of people on the planet do not have access to power. Almost 85% of these individuals reside in rural, dispersed communities in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Higher energy costs translate into higher food costs, which limits access for lower-income households. Energy is a revolutionary tool in agriculture. It is necessary for many different kinds of operations, including as charging communication devices, powering and lighting establishments, and controlling machines. Tax incentives can promote deployment on both the supply and demand sides at various points in the decentralized renewable energy transition, such as installing wind turbines. Another reasonable choice is a concessional loan.
Support
Technical support and financial access are two more investments in food security that perform poorly in the absence of channels for obtaining inputs and reaching markets. The availability payment plan is one method of funding roads wherein governments provide a private company a certain sum of money in exchange for the company managing and maintaining the roads. Road project co-financing is an additional feasible alternative. Co-investment in a project by national governments, local governments, or multilateral development banks (MDBs) sends a clear message to potential investors about the initiative’s credibility. Feeder road investments can support development, reduce poverty, and ensure food security.
On a per-hectare basis, irrigation can result in agricultural productivity that is more than twice as high as rainfed produce. Its why it’s so important to invest in water distribution. Public-private partnerships represent a viable means of financing. To increase agricultural productivity, this means working with the private sector to build or maintain drainage and irrigation infrastructure. Through improved sanitation, local employment creation, food security, and enhanced asset ownership and control over resources, access to dependable water sources favorably impacts women’s empowerment.
Countries that export goods like rice, coffee, chocolate, tea, palm oil, and cacao need to diversify their agricultural output to protect themselves from drops in commodity prices. These drops can affect a country’s currency and government revenue, making it harder for its people to afford food today. In order to gain knowledge, increase value capture, and generate employment, they must also establish mid-stream processing SMEs. Additionally, they must facilitate food exchange between nearby nations. Supporting farmers to innovate or preserve the environment can make them more competitive without going against WTO regulations. Both producers and consumers gain from investments made in food safety and quality systems. Small producers can access both domestic and foreign markets by assisting them in meeting quality standards and enhancing the transportation infrastructure.
Final Word
So it stands out clearly that food today needs a comprehensive and integral approach that involves all stakeholders. Individuals, the public and the state all have a role to play to assure adequate food production for local needs and global consumption.
