Abstract
This article outlines a food security synthesis: that food insecurity traces to poverty, that poverty must be addressed by economic development, and that economic development flows from application of the standard model that is now mainstream economics. Food-insecure countries do not follow the standard model; their policies for agriculture and other sectors deter development. Reasons lie in institutions such as government and in attitudes. The economics of food security is straightforward. The challenge of food security for our time is for economists to work with others regarding socioinstitutional changes essential for proven policies and practices to supply adequate diets.
Generated Summary
This journal article outlines a food security synthesis, exploring the intricate relationship between food insecurity, poverty, and economic development. The study is rooted in the understanding that food insecurity stems from poverty, which, in turn, must be addressed through economic development. The author posits that economic development is driven by the application of mainstream economic models. The research adopts a broad economic framework to address food insecurity, touching on cultural and institutional factors while emphasizing the necessity of socioinstitutional changes for effective policies and practices to ensure adequate diets. The research employs the standard economic model. The study reviews the setting and selected perspectives on the economic, social, and institutional foundations of food security. The first objective of the article is to outline the standard model, with the second objective being to initiate a dialogue on the question of why more than 800 million people globally remain food insecure.
Key Findings & Statistics
- The number of undernourished people in developing countries fell from 917 million in 1969–1971 to 839 million in 1990–1992.
- The spectacular 207 million reduction in East and Southeast Asia more than offsets the 112 million addition to the number of undernourished people in sub-Saharan Africa between 1969–1971 and 1990-1992.
- Per capita dietary energy supply (DES) increased 0.52% per year for the world and by even more (0.78% per year) in developing countries between 1969–1971 and 1990-1992.
- One region of the world, sub-Saharan Africa, seems to be losing the capacity to feed itself. The International Food Policy Research Institute projects that the region’s imports of all cereals will grow from 9.4 million metric tons (mmt) in 1990 to 26.1 mmt by 2020.
- In 1943, during the severe Bengal famine, food was available, but many people lacked access due to insufficient buying power, excessive prices, or lack of access to transfers.
- The 1.3 billion people with incomes of less than $1 per day (updated from World Bank 1990, p. 29) will have to escape poverty and food insecurity through economic growth.
- Economic growth largely was responsible for the 158 million reduction in numbers of undernourished people in East, South, and Southeast Asia from 1979–1981 to 1990–1992.
- Income per capita of landlocked countries grew 0.7 percentage points less and of tropical countries grew 1.3 percentage points less than income of other countries, other things being equal.
- Gini coefficients reported by the World Bank (1996, pp. 196–97) range from an average of 40.9 for twenty-seven low-income economies and 39.2 for thirty middle-income countries to 44.9 for eight upper-middle-income countries.
- The proportion of income held by the poorest 20% of the population ranged from 6.2% for low-income countries and 6.5% for middle-income countries to 5.9% for upper-middle-income countries.
- Studies show that desired total fertility rates, though less than actual fertility rates, are still well above ZPG total fertility rates of about 2.1 children per woman in most developing countries.
Other Important Findings
- Food security is defined as access by all people at all times to sufficient food to meet dietary needs for a productive and healthy life.
- The standard model of economic policy has become widely accepted by mainstream economics and has emerged as a proven performer in raising incomes and food security.
- Food security depends on overall policies and economic development, not just on agricultural development.
- The setting of food security requires access, availability, and utilization.
- Food production (availability) is also buying power (accessibility) for many people.
- Cultural and institutional factors play a significant role in food security.
- The main constraint to food security is accessibility.
- The third critical dimension of food security, utilization, refers to actual metabolization of food by the body.
- Despite per capita world food supplies being more than adequate to provide food security to all, food or income transfers among nations cannot be the principal instrument to end food insecurity.
- Fundamental ingredients for economic growth have numerous trade-offs.
- The broad outline for economic progress requires a policy blueprint for the process by which attitudes, natural resources, and institutions create capital and economic progress to alleviate poverty and food insecurity.
- Following the standard model is most important for food security in countries with the least favorable attitudes and natural resources.
- Economic outcomes will be more egalitarian and food security greater if the standard model is applied to countries with more equal initial distributions of asset ownership.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The document does not provide specific methodological details or empirical data analysis.
- The article is a synthesis and overview, thus it lacks detailed empirical evidence or statistical analysis to support its assertions.
- The analysis relies on general economic principles and the standard model, which may not fully account for complexities in specific regional or cultural contexts.
- The discussion of policy recommendations is broad, without specific context.
- The article mentions factors that influence food security, but it may oversimplify complex socio-economic dynamics.
Conclusion
The central argument of the study is that food insecurity is primarily caused by poverty, which can be addressed through economic development. The author emphasizes that the standard model, focusing on markets, institutions, and sound macroeconomic policies, is the most effective approach to achieving economic progress and food security. The study underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach that includes not only agricultural policies but also broader societal changes. The author stresses that socioinstitutional changes are essential for food security, and the standard model is not merely an ideal, but it is a workable prescription for economic progress and food security. The study advocates for economic growth as a means to reduce poverty. The standard model is not the end of economics. The article suggests that economic success differs among countries due to their unique resource endowments, institutions, and attitudes. The final thoughts are that food security requires more than just food; it requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses poverty, promotes economic growth, and fosters socioinstitutional change. The author concludes that political failure, stemming from misguided policies and weak institutions, often hinders the implementation of effective strategies. The article highlights that food security is a complex, multidisciplinary issue that necessitates a deep understanding of development processes and a commitment to constructive change. The key takeaway is that food security is achievable through the consistent application of the standard model, alongside reforms in institutions and attitudes.