Food security needs greater effort

 By JAMES LARAKI

REDUCING food and nutrition insecurity is the primary aim of many regional and global agricultural organisations. And it is the many research and development organisations that pursue agricultural development in Papua New Guinea. 

But the issue of food security is often misunderstood by many governments and the civil society at large. 

Food security is often viewed narrowly as an issue of production. For example, in Papua New Guinea, it is often assumed that we have an abundance of everything; sweet potato, cassava, taro, banana, sago, variety of vegetables, fruits and nuts, fish, fresh water, so on so why worry. 

Many tend to think we have everything and there should be little concern towards food insecurity. But we must ask ourselves ‘why does food insecurity continue to exist’ even when we have in abundance of everything.

First, we must note that food insecurity is not about insufficient production and availability, but a lack of physical, social or economic access to food. 

Other important requirements for food security are stability, and ensuring food contributes to health. Food stability refers to developing resilience to shocks impacting production and access, such as natural disasters, while health refers to nutritional quality. For example, a food-secure outcome has not been reached, if someone is getting an adequate amount of food but is developing a nutritional disease. That means food security is achieved when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. 

In PNG, food is produced mainly through subsistence agriculture and fisheries. Traditional food systems are secure and resilient when land is available and fisheries are abundant. 

However, with the increase in population and climate change, food security is at risk. There is a risk of increased malnutrition and hunger. Rapid urbanisation is leaving the urban poor without access to land and limited income opportunities. And the changing climate will certainly put enormous pressure on the rural food producers. It is becoming obvious that food production is insufficient to feed the increasing population. 

The problem of food insecurity is clearly seen in symptoms of malnutrition and other related diseases, partly due to consumption of processed and frozen food from supermarkets.

Imported food is increasingly being consumed in rural and urban settings due to changing preferences and a lack of locally produced food in markets. 

This trend is quite common in the urban and peri-urban areas. 

The urban poor lack direct access to land and fisheries, and with low job prospects, food insecurity among this group is high. Our food systems are changing. People are moving to urban centres, where food is sourced from supermarkets. 

Imports are increasing, as preferences are shifting and local production is not keeping pace with the growing population. Food crises are biting, resulting in pockets of food insecurity, particularly among the urban poor. The increased availability of imported food is increasing dietary options, but has health implications. 

The trade in unhealthy food is a source of controversy, such as the import of fatty lamb flaps. Health experts believe poor nutrition is contributing to the rise of non-communicable diseases. With climate change, the health of our people will probably worsen before improving. For ex­ample, malaria is reported to be spreading in the highlands where it was unheard of before. 

Addressing food and nutrition security requires among things; having appropriate policies and long term investment in agriculture, particularly in agricultural research for development.

While we remain relatively food secure, the present situation cannot be used as an excuse for inaction. Under business as usual, food insecurity will increase in all dimensions. There is need to invest now for long-term food security. 

We need to help smallholder farmers to diversify crops and livestock, create local markets, improve postharvest skills, better manage their water resources, and improve their nutrition. 

We need to develop new technologies to bolster drought tolerance, pests and disease resistance and improved crop yield. 

Global organisations continue to criticise developing countries for ignoring investing in agriculture in general, and particularly in food security. 

PNG is no exception. We need to take such criticisms seriously and look at how best to address food insecurity and do things now that will address long term food security. 

While sustaining food security remains a challenge, we can work towards it by pooling our resources and efforts together. 

We have to reach more farmers and communities, and multiply our impact. 

We have an advantage because of our huge resource base and potential. 

We are fortunate to have many research and development organisations like NARI that are making modest advances on the technology front in terms of improved varieties and practices for a range of agricultural commodities and environments.

There must be concerted efforts, by the government and the people to help ourselves. 

The primary responsibility naturally lies on our own hands. 

We certainly know what needs to be done. 

We need to pool our resources together and rededicate ourselves to achieving a sustained food security.