Food Scarcity

Abstract

The demand for food is increasing, particularly because of two elements: population growth & income growth. Nevertheless, supply growth tends to lag, as a result of, for instance, limited land availability, slowing agricultural yields, and the growing biofuels' demand, all of which results in contention for available acreage. Correspondingly, in recent months, the agricultural land's buying-up by foreign investors -- the land-grabbing phenomenon-- has compounded, and this is in likelihood to worsen concerns of supply. The objective of this paper is to determine the factors behind the issue of food scarcity. This paper also examines drivers that have been influencing the supply and demand for food in recent years. This paper recommends sustainable agriculture as a means of ameliorating intensive agricultural production so as to bridge the gap between supply and demand of food.



Food Scarcity

Introduction

'Food is the New Oil, Land is the New Gold'

Stability of food supply is one of the dimensions of food security. There could have long-standing effects of temporary disruption of supplies. Domestic production and food imports are the two options for fulfilling demand, which entail numerous reasons for food supplies' instability. Food security does not only involve the food availability, but also the capacity to purchase food (Rosegrant & Cline, 2003). Price volatility- high fluctuation in food prices is a main cause for food supply instability. Volatile prices result in producers' poor investment strategies and instantaneous effects on consumers. The food price crisis in 2008 demonstrates the types of disruptions that could be experienced in the future more often. In the United States, a number of families were badly affected due to the steep rise in prices; while in developing countries, this food crisis was actually devastating for the poor. Conflict is another source of instability that escalates risks of food supply (www.state.gov, 2009). The imbalance between supply and demand of food increases food scarcity (Castro, 2003). The rationale behind carrying out this research is to describe and assess the major factors that have been influencing the supply and demand for food in recent years, and the rationale behind these factors.

Discussion

Factors Influencing the Supply and Demand for Food

Numerous factors have been influencing the supply and demand for food in recent years. Because of industrial pollution, degradation is being faced by current agricultural land and; therefore, there is a decrease in yields. Potential farmland for the expansion of agricultural production is more and more being constrained because of competing land uses for instance urbanization, biofuel production and, climatic change in the longer term. The supply-side issues are being further compounded by inadequacy of agricultural distribution systems. In recent years, declined availability of food has led to an upsurge in food price inflation globally, aggravating malnourishment in developing countries. In an attempt to make sure the food supplies' security, substantial environmental pressures are being put on agricultural ecosystems. An increasing cause for concern includes the impact of excessive water extraction and widespread deforestation.

Population & Income Growth- Drivers for Increase in Demand of Food ...