Food security a major concern

FOOD security is becoming a major concern in many parts of the world due to demand and supply issues.
The increase in population and limited resources and climate change are some issues, hence, the need to strengthen efforts to address the situation.
Everyday, there are people around the world who do not have enough food to support a healthy, active lifestyle.
The problem has been compounded by climate change, which often has a devastating impact on food security.
Severe droughts have often led to shortages of food, water and energy.
When natural disasters hit a country, many people will be homeless with no food, water and sanitation topping the things in the to-do list.
When disasters strike, they have a direct impact on the livelihoods and food security of the people and the communities they live in.
Food security is a condition related to the supply of food and individuals’ access to it.
On a greater scale, food security has become a major global issue and concern and it is an issue that needs to be highlighted before it reaches a crisis point.
The priority of the Policy Partnership in Food Security this year during the Apec meetings is to focus on food security in the agriculture and fisheries sector, climate change and gender inclusion.
PNG through the Department of Agriculture and Livestock has three priorities: Enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture through the use of ICT in response to climate change; promoting women in agriculture and fisheries; and sustainable fisheries management and development.
The three main focus areas are: food security in agriculture and fisheries sectors, inclusive and sustainable resource development, and gender inclusivity.
Although we continue to strengthen efforts and build momentum to address food security and climate change as demonstrated in the development of action plans like Multi Year Action Plan (MYAP) on food security and climate change, we should also strengthen efforts to promote rural development through the Action Plan on Rural-Urban Development to strengthen food security and quality growth.
This will ensure that the rural population – which is often dominated by smallholder farmers and it is where poverty is worst – are empowered to increase productivity to achieve food security and poverty alleviation.
Promoting nutritional security as well, together with access to clean and safe water and healthy conditions, is an important component of food security.
There is also a need to strengthen efforts to address disaster and emergencies management for food security by looking at early warning systems and recovery mechanisms in the context of food security.
Here in PNG, what needs to be done for the communities in the affected areas is to maintain adequate a needs-based food supply chain for the affected community.
Cleanliness and hygiene of the food supplies are two very critical factors to ensure that there are no disease outbreaks.
Food safety during disasters is an important issue.