TOPIC: FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD AVAILABILITY

Transcript:TOPIC: FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD AVAILABILITY:
TOPIC: FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD AVAILABILITY MAHARSHI DAYANAND SARASWATI UNIVERSITY, AJMER Factors affecting food availability Many factors impact significantly on food availability and distribution, both locally and around the world. Each individual factor can disrupt supply or distribution chains; however, in situations where two or more factors affect food availability, the outcome can be devastating. Geography and Climate Enough food is produced in the world to feed everyone; however, the availability varies enormously. The amount of food produced in many developing countries is insufficient to feed the population, and they may experience severe food shortages. Many areas around the world are unsuitable to produce crops. There can be many reasons for this and can inclide remote or inaccessible locations, mountainous countryside, poor soil for crops and also extreme weather. The countries that are unable to grow crops rely on imported foods and good transportation channels to supply the population's food needs. Worldwide climatic changes are likely to impact the global food security in many ways. Climate change is already bringing unpredictable weather patterns at unseasonable times. This damages crops. Higher temperatures and drier winters are melting the largest ice caps. Rising sea levels threaten to flood low-lying crops and can reduce the availability of safe drinking water. Climate change is causing crops to not to grow which is leading countries to become more dependant on imported foods. With this comes political and economic consequences. Along with climate and weather, there are also natural disasters that can lead to food shortages. This occurs when mostly hit with flood or drought. Individuals and communities during this time are forced to rely on aid organisations to provide food aid. Drought is the most common natural cause and prime contributor to famine in arid and semiarid regions. The income families would have received from their crops would be cut off or reduced for and extended period of time Economic determinants such as cost and income The cost of food and the ability of an individual to afford specific foods (related to income) are primary determinants of food choice. Low-income groups are reported to consume unbalanced diets and low intakes of fruit and vegetables. Increasing the amount of available income for food choices, however, does not necessarily mean that individuals will consume a more balanced and healthy diet. In addition, individuals may resist buying new foods for fear that the food made be wasted as the