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FAO Study Material

Agenda - Assessing the causes and consequences of unequal food distribution across landmasses and regions

Mandate

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) was founded in 1943 (near the end of World War II) with the goal of increasing the standards of living in member nations and the equality of global food distribution, especially in rural populations (UN). It also deals with crises such as pests and animal epidemics, conducts research, and facilitates education and trainings in countries in need. The organization holds a global conference every two years, where it elects representatives for its governing body. Its foremost guidelines for agriculture management in food distribution are contained in An Indicative World Plan for Agricultural Development. Past FAO practices have included promoting a new high-yielding strain of grain and encouraging countries to support agricultural exports. Recently, the FAO has focused on environmentally and economically sustainable agricultural practices (

Britannica⁠

Introduction to the Agenda

In the eighteenth century, Thomas Malthus theorized that eventually human population would outgrow the food supply unless limits were placed on reproduction or events occurred to reduce the rate of population increase. (

Investopedia⁠

). However, developments such as the Green Revolution dramatically increased crop yields and revealed that the problem was no longer about an insufficient global food supply but instead a food distribution crisis. Despite the fact that 2 billion people around the world are malnourished, one-third of the world’s adults are obese and the same fraction of food produced is wasted. Food inequality is entangled with other forms of inequality, including uneven wealth and power distribution. (

Global Hunger Index⁠

). These inequalities manifest each other–children who lack access to food are unable to focus on their education and are less likely to improve their economic situation.

The UN’s 2nd Sustainable Development Goal aims to reach zero world hunger by 2030. Unfortunately, according to the UN 2023 SDG Progress Report, global hunger levels have returned to levels “not seen since 2005, and food prices remain higher in more countries than in the period 2015–2019” (6). Price inflation due to events such as the Russo-Ukraine War leads to more people without access to the funds necessary to feed themselves. Approximately 735 million people face hunger. To get back on track with the goal, “urgent coordinated action and policy solutions are imperative to address entrenched inequalities, transform food systems, invest in sustainable agricultural practices, and reduce and mitigate the impact of conflict and the pandemic on global nutrition and food security” (8). The UN encourages agriculture-focused government spending. The majority of hungry people in the world are located in Africa and Asia, especially in areas that are torn by conflict. However, food security has improved in several areas, including Latin America (UN).

How do rises in food prices lead to unequal food distribution?

While high prices motivate and benefit food suppliers, they have a negative impact on consumers around the world. Countries that have a high average income will overall face fewer hungry people. However, in developing countries lower-income families spend up to 80% of their income on food (

Humanium⁠

). These people are severely impacted by higher prices and often find themselves unable to compensate for the nutritional needs of their family.

What is causing rises in food prices?

Climate Change

Land that suppliers depend on for high yields are changing rapidly. Some places are becoming unsuitable for agriculture, leading to harvest yields that put a strain on food distributors.

Rising Demand (especially for food and dairy)

Rising demand directly leads to higher prices. One specific impact of rising demand for dairy is that livestock owners will tend to subsequently increase the demand for grain, which can impact consumers directly. Livestock and consumers will compete for grain, exacerbating the problems with school distribution.

Financial speculation and oil prices

Oil is a necessary commodity for food transportation, so higher oil prices translate to high food prices

UN Food Systems Summit

One of the UN’s most recent discussions about food inequality took place on September 23, 2021. The

UN Food Systems Summit⁠

was intended to reassess global progress towards the SDGs and discuss ways of changing food systems to reduce hunger across the world. The summit relates all SDGs to a food systems point of view, utilizing the connections between problems like poverty and education with hunger. Farmers and indigenous groups announced their commitment to this goal.

Main Issues

Food Chain Crisis (FCC) & Hunger and Food Insecurity

The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated existing food inflation issues, which have been a major challenge for both undeveloped and developing countries. While the global health crisis is not the sole culprit for the recent hike in food prices, it has certainly had a significant impact. Furthermore, war, climate change, droughts, natural disasters, and other factors have long contributed to food insecurity and hunger worldwide. According to FAO experts, 32 plant and forest pests, along with locusts and animal/aquatic diseases, were monitored and predicted in mid-2019. Twenty-seven pests and diseases were identified as moderate to high risks, and 275 forecasts were conducted in 119 countries.

Animal Production

While the environmental movement has seen many groups actively tackling the issue, the major environmental organizations are often hesitant on the subject, which is understandable, as larger nonprofit organizations become more concerned with maintaining their members and donors, and many others still have a predominantly omnivorous membership. Regardless of dietary preferences or environmental affiliations: animal factory farming is an environmental catastrophe. This industrialized system, which produces a large majority of our country's meat and dairy supply, has a detrimental impact on our air and water, as well as our soil, wildlife, and climate. It is a corrupt system that is polluting our environment and endangering all life on earth.

Possible Resolutions

Fighting Famine

There are many strategies that can be implemented to prevent famines and provide long-term solutions to food insecurity. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include a target to end starvation and ensure food and nutrition for all by 2030. SDG2, "Zero Hunger," addresses the root causes of food insecurity through measures such as improving agricultural infrastructure, increasing domestic food and nutritional production, promoting sustainable land management, and addressing conflict and climate change. International organizations play an important role in funding these efforts and ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the assistance they need to overcome poverty and food insecurity and build strong, resilient communities.

Still, addressing famine requires a multi-faceted approach that involves action from governments, international organizations, and individuals. Possible solutions that we can individually contribute towards include: supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives, such as agroforestry and permaculture, that help restore degraded land and ensure stable food and nutrition sources; donating to local food banks or charities that provide direct assistance to families in need of food and nutrition; advocating for policies that prioritize food security and access to affordable, nutritious food, such as universal school meals programs and community gardens; eating locally-sourced, seasonal foods whenever possible, which reduces the reliance on imports and provides more stable and resilient food systems, by choosing to eat more plant-based meals, as animal agriculture is a major contributor to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution, all of which can exacerbate food insecurity.

What are recent events that have increased food inequality?

Covid-19 Pandemic (National Institute of Health)

COVID-19 affected the world’s socioeconomic and food security more than other infectious diseases. In many countries, food industries’ workers were moderated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused food factories to reduce or slow down their production. Airline closures, national and international restrictions, and lockdowns have severely disrupted the food supply chain. These, along with structural weaknesses in the world food system such as production, distribution, access, and stability in the food chain, have exposed more people to the food crisis and acute hunger in the world. Therefore it is necessary to use proper planning by governmental organizations and charities in the field of food supply in critical situations.

A recent FAO report (2019) found that 820 million people have been suffering from starvation worldwide. The Global Report on Food Crisis (FSIN, 2020) also showed that approximately 135 million people in 55 countries are affected by acute food insecurity, of which 73 million are in 36 countries in Africa. The United Nations reported that COVID-19 is likely to increase poverty and food insecurity on a global scale. Therefore achieving the goals of sustainable development is considered a top priority. Other international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have also supported this concept. People’s health and nutrition in food crises are at greater risk due to their inability to access healthcare and their inability to reimburse their expenses.

Russo-Ukraine War

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict quickly sparked fears of a global food crisis. Food prices were already high in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many countries were facing serious food insecurity. The Black Sea region is critical to meeting the world’s food needs, as is Russia’s role in supplying natural gas and, along with Belarus, fertilizers. Any disruption to this trade would drive up food prices and aggravate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in vulnerable countries. With other countries undertaking export restrictions, these trade disruptions became even larger. The conflict has primarily affected food systems through effects on trade in cereals and vegetable oils, interruptions to fertilizer exports, and rising energy prices, although a drop in agricultural production in Ukraine is also a significant factor. Together, these impacts could drive millions more people into hunger and poverty. Early in the crisis, the FAO estimated that a prolonged disruption of exports from Ukraine and Russia could increase the number of undernourished people by 8 to 13 million in 2022.

Since February 2022, Russia has waged widespread attacks on Ukraine’s agricultural labor force, farms, and infrastructure. In June 2022, CSIS analyzed satellite imagery of several such attacks—including a

farm⁠

dairy⁠

, and

food warehouse⁠

—and though other anecdotal evidence abounds, it masks the true extent of Russia’s destruction. According to

official estimates⁠

from Ukraine’s Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food (MAPF) and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the World Bank, and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, since Russia invaded Ukraine, 84,200 pieces of agricultural machinery have been totally or partially damaged, four million tons of grains and oilseeds have been destroyed or stolen, and storage for 9.4 million tons of agricultural products has been damaged or destroyed.

Conclusion

Delegates should focus on solutions that are climate-conscious, benefit the agriculture industry, and diminish global food waste.

Policies of major countries may include:

US: The US is well-known for having high obesity rates, and leads all countries in total obese population. As a result, the US delegation may focus on campaigns to promote eating healthy. The US currently subsidizes its agricultural sector. As representatives from a wealthy country, the US delegation may form mechanisms to do the same in developing countries.

China: Food security is a very important issue due to its tremendous population. China places heavy emphasis on its agricultural sector, so we know that the delegation of China would support any motion to fund farmers. The country has faced several drought-induced famines, so the delegation might be interested in looking at ways to protect the good supply from natural disasters (

SPGlobal⁠

)