Even before the pandemic struck in 2020 and disrupted the lives of people across the globe, hunger was a pressing issue. According to the United Nations, around 821 million people were suffering from food insecurity in 2018, with almost one in every nine people going to bed hungry every night.
Darren Dohme believes that the pandemic has only exacerbated this problem, with the UN estimating that the number of people suffering from hunger could increase by as much as 132 million by the end of 2020. There are a number of reasons for this sharp increase in hunger, ranging from loss of livelihoods and incomes due to the pandemic to disruptions in food supply chains. But whatever the reason, it is clear that something needs to be done to avert this global food crisis.
Darren Dohme’s Tips to Avert the Global Food Crisis
1. Improve agricultural productivity
One of the most obvious ways to combat hunger is to produce more food. This can be done through a variety of means, such as improving agricultural practices, investing in better irrigation and drainage systems, and providing farmers with access to quality seeds and fertilizers.
2. Reduce food waste
It is estimated that around one-third of all the food that is produced globally goes to waste, amounting to 1.3 billion tonnes per year. Reducing this food waste would go a long way in ensuring that there is enough food for everyone.
There are a number of ways to reduce food waste, such as changing the way we produce and package food, making sure that food is properly stored and transported, and increasing public awareness about the issue.
3. Promote sustainable diets
The way we eat also has an impact on global food security. Unsustainable diets, such as those that are high in meat and processed foods, require more land and water to produce and are also often associated with higher greenhouse gas emissions.
On the other hand, sustainable diets that are based on plants and vegetables use fewer resources and have a lower carbon footprint. So promoting these types of diets can help to make sure that there is enough food for everyone while also being better for the environment.
4. Improve access to financial services
Giving smallholder farmers access to financial services such as credit and insurance can help them to invest in their farms and improve their productivity. This, in turn, can help to ensure that there is enough food for everyone.
5. Increase investment in social safety nets
Social safety nets, such as food assistance programs, are an important way to help those who are most vulnerable to hunger. These programs provide a safety net for people who may not be able to meet their basic needs and can help to prevent them from slipping into hunger and poverty.
6. Improve governance and accountability
Darren Dohme points out that good governance is essential for any country that wants to reduce hunger and ensure food security. This includes things like having transparent and effective institutions, fighting corruption, and making sure that everyone has a say in how resources are used.
7. Strengthen resilience to shocks
Shocks, such as droughts, floods, and conflict, can have a devastating impact on food security. So it is important to build resilience against these shocks, for example, by investing in early warning systems and disaster risk reduction.
8. Increase international cooperation
International cooperation is essential to addressing the global challenge of hunger. This includes things like providing financial and technical assistance to countries that are struggling to meet their food needs and working together to improve global food security.
Bottom Line
Darren Dohme believes that these are just some of the ways that we can avert global food scarcity. But it is important to remember that no one solution will work on its own – we need to take a comprehensive and holistic approach if we want to make sure that everyone has enough to eat.