Global Report on Food Crises 2022

• 06 May 2022

For Prelims: Highlights of the Global Report on Food Crises, GNAFC, European Union, FAO, WFP, Initiatives Related to Food Security

For Mains: Reasons for the Rising Food Crisis and related Issue, Health, Government Policies & Interventions

Why in News?

Recently, an annual report named Global Report on Food Crises 2022 was launched by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC).

• The report is the flagship publication of the GNAFC and is facilitated by the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).

What is Food Security Information Network?

• FSIN is a global initiative co-sponsored by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to strengthen food and nutrition security information systems for producing reliable and accurate data to guide analysis and decision-making.

What is GNAFC?

• It was Founded by the European Union, FAO and WFP in 2016.
• It is an alliance of humanitarian and development actors working together to prevent, prepare for and respond to food crises and support the Sustainable Development Goal to End Hunger (SDG 2).

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• About:
  • Some 40 million more people globally experienced acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels in 2021 than 2020.
    • Over half a million Ethiopians, southern Madagascar, South Sudanese and Yemenese are suffering from acute food insecurity.
  • Over 193 million people in 53 countries or territories experienced acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels in 2021.
• Main Drivers for Food Insecurity:
  • Conflict:
    • Conflict forced 139 million people in 24 countries / territories into acute food insecurity.
    • This is an increase from 99 million in 23 countries / territories in 2020.
  • Weather Extremes:
    • It forced over 23 million people in eight countries / territories into acute food insecurity, up from 15.7 million in 15 countries / territories in 2020.
  • Economic Shocks:
    • Over 30 million people in 21 countries / territories suffered acute food insecurity in 2021 due to economic shocks, down from over 40 million people in 17 countries / territories in 2020.

What are the Suggestions?

• Need to have an Integrated Approach:
  • There is a need to have an integrated approach to prevention, anticipation, and better targeting to sustainably address the root causes of food crises, including structural rural poverty, marginalization, population growth and fragile food systems.
• Need to Prioritize Smallholder Agriculture:
  • The report demonstrated the need for a greater prioritization of smallholder agriculture as a frontline humanitarian response, to overcome access constraints and as a solution for reverting negative long-term trends.
• Strengthening a Coordinated Approach:
  • The need is to strengthen a coordinated approach to ensure that humanitarian, development and peacekeeping activities are delivered in a holistic and coordinated manner.

What is the State of Food Insecurity in India?

• About:
  • According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, 2021 India, the country with the largest stock of grain in the world, 120 million tonnes (as of 1^st July 2021) accounts for a quarter of the world’s food-insecure population.
  • Estimates show that, in 2020, over 237 crore people were grappling with food insecurity globally, an increase of about 32 crores from 2019.
    • South Asia alone accounts for 36% of global food insecurity.
• Related Initiatives:
  • PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY)
  • One Nation One Ration Card
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana
  • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
  • Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 Scheme

Source: DTE