Solutions to food shortages in the third world countries

 Introduction 

The shortage of food in a given country is a big problem to citizens. The population experience adverse effects such as hunger ,poor standard of living ,starvation especially in children,poor health etc. The shortage of food is contributed by various Factors especially in the third world countries. 

Factors that have contributed to the shortage of food in the third world. 

1. Adverse climatic conditions .

The climatic conditions is when there is little or no rain at all. A place where the rainfall is limited experiences the shortage  of food. Where there is no rainfall at all in the country for a period of time, the place is most likely to be desert and no production is done.

2. Poor agricultural policies 

Most of the third world countries have emphasised on cash crops such as coffee, tea, rubber, cotton sugarcane etc and abandon the production of food crops such as maize ,rice,beans,wheat etc.

3. Rapid population growth 

As the rate of population growth overtake the rate of food production in most of the third world countries, the food decreases. Also when the population is wholly dependent on food and not involved in the production. 

4. Development of Infrastructure 

The infrastructural development in third world countries such as transport, communication, storage facilities and marketing is insufficient. The farmers efforts in food production are often frustrated by this. This lowers the food production in these countries. 

5. Rural- Urban migration 

Rural-urban migration has increased labour shortage in the rural areas and negatively affected food production. The young people who have energy in food production move from rural to urban to look for white colour jobs. This cause food shortage in the country.

6. Capital 

Most of the third world countries are still using traditional methods of farming due to lack of capital to buy farm machinery, farm inputs such as fertilisers and agricultural chemicals. Lack of capital to practice modern agriculture has had adverse effects on food production. 

7. Human activities 

Destructive Human activities like deforestation, overgrazing have lend to soil Erosion, landslides and a reduction in soil fertility. These have lowered food production. 

8. Pests and diseases 

Crop Pests and diseases have rendered many potentially productive areas useless. These areas are infested with tsetse flies, locusts, grain borers,army worms  etc. Locusts, grain borers and army worms have destroyed large quantities of food crops in the third world countries. 

9. Poor processing facilities 

The processing facilities in most of the third world countries are poorly equipped and in efficient. The processing firms do not pay the farmers that provide the raw materials promptly. This has discouraged the farmers from seeking ways and means of improving production. 

10. Political instability 

In countries that experience Political instability such as war tend to import food. Political instability make these countries to divert attention from food production and many have been rendered refugees hence depend on food aid.

11. Natural calamities 

Natural calamities such as floods,droughts earthquakes are experienced by many third world countries. These destroy farmlands and lower crop yields. 

12. The declining production of indigenous  crops 

Most of the farmers in the third world countries have abandoned the growing of indigenous crops such as cassava, yams,sorghum and millets. These crops are  disease and drought resistant. Farmers have opted for crops such as maize,  wheat and rice without paying attention to their suitability for the area.

13. Poor implementation of policies

Most of the third world countries have poor lmplementation of polices and plans laid down on food production. This reduce the production of crops.

14. Overdependence on donations and foreign  Aid

The donations from external donors are used in cash crops than in food production. The economic programmes of these third world countries are changed to suit these donors. This has led to heavy debts repayments that  leave inadequate finances for the agricultural sector. 

Effects of food shortage in the third world countries 

• High mortality rates.

The death rate increases due to starvation of the people. This is caused by drought which makes people and animals not to get food to sustain in their lives. 

• Increase in poverty levels 

Lack of food increases poverty in thtry. This result to crimes such as robbery with violence. 

• Decline in Economic  

The shortage of food make people not to participate in Economic development of their country. Instead they use their time to look for food.

• High debts burden 

Most of the third world countries that depend on other countries or  receive food aid experience High burden of paying debts as they use their revenue towards food and not servicing their foreign debts.

• Decrease in population growth rate.

A hungry population cannot reproduce as food is an essential element in human reproduction. The population growth rate decreases due to high mortality rates and low birth rates. 

• Increase in insecurity and political instability 

Food shortages may result in insecurity as people who do not have will result to violence and criminal activities inorder to get food. 

• Neo - colonialism 

Countries that experience food shortages depend on foreign Aid and grants. These may lead to overdependence on outside assistance which makes the countries not to stand on their own. The situation can result into neo-colonialism.

• Refugees problems  

The movement of people from countries that are experiencing food problems become refugees in neighbouring countries. They cause problems to people they are living amongst such as population, insecurity and environmental destructions. 

• Spread of diseases 

Diseases that are related to food shortages such as kwashiokor, marasmus and stunted growth are likely to breakout. Again the desperation may cause people to engage in immoral practices such as prostitution leading to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. 

Solutions to food shortages in the third world countries

Land reclamation

Land reclamation is the turning of potential land that is otherwise wasted into productive use. This can be through irrigation in arid lands,draining swampy places or clearing bushes. In places where this has been attempted new land has been availed for cultivation leading to increased food production. 

Agricultural policies 

The agricultural policies should be reformulated from a concentration on cash crops to pay more attention to food production. 

Provision of extension services 

Extension services are vital for the development of agriculture. These should be well equipped and kept conversant with all the developments in their field,so as to pass on this information to the farmers. 

Family land use

Families should be encouraged to have at least a sizeable portion of their land  under food crops. This would lead to self-sufficiency for the households which could eventually contribute to national food self sufficiency.

Infrastructural development 

Infrastructure such as transport, communication, storage, marketing, banking and credit facilities should be improved to link the farming areas with towns which provide market for the produce,machinery and inputs. 

Research and development  

There should be an increased emphasis on research and development. Research can lead to the use and production of more efficient fertilisers, pesticides and equipment and machinery. 

Reforestation programmes 

The planting of more trees where unplanned and wanton destruction has taken place influence the pattern of rainfall. This will prevent desertification. 

Environmental conservation measures 

The conservation of environment involves Building of gabions and  terraces to check soil Erosion and the proper utilisation of land. This lead to an increase in food production.