Innovative Agricultural Practices to Combat Hunger

Global hunger is a severe crisis that plagues people worldwide. Individuals born at the bottom of the metaphorical food chain find themselves consequently landing at the bottom of the global one. According to the World Health Organization, as many as 828 million people are currently combating starvation. However, the hunger crisis is not as simple as growing more food but a complex issue influenced by poverty, climate change, conflict, and economic instability. In recent years, several inventions and agricultural practices have been created to help alleviate the Global Food Crisis, aligning with SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

Initially, when one inquires about inventions that can combat hunger, they are taught about drones and IoT sensors that can optimise farming efficiency via aerial surveillance and inspecting irrigation equipment. However, one must be cognizant of the fact that the places

most affected by hunger are developing countries plagued with poverty and overpopulation. If farmers had financial access to such technology, the citizens would not be on the brink of starvation.

Instead, we can look at options that ensure local farmers get fairly compensated for their labour with creations such as M-Farm Ltd. It is a transparency tool for Kenyan farmers where they message a phone number to get information pertaining to the current retail price of their produce, buy farming supplies directly from manufacturers at favourable prices and find buyers for their produce. This eliminates the corruption of middlemen who usually receive more profit than deserved. Not only does this software help farmers financially, but it also creates wider access of fresh produce to citizens of Kenya due to the decreased prices, which undoubtedly fight the issue of Hunger in the country.

Additionally, global food security can be reinforced through the use of Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs by enhancing crop resilience, yield, and nutritional content. Prominent evidence in support of this include Golden RiceTM and the use of drought-resistant crops. Golden RiceTM was engineered to address a major health issue in developing countries; Vitamin A deficiency, which can lead to severe health problems, including blindness and increased mortality rates, particularly among children and pregnant women. It was developed

through the insertion of genes responsible for the biosynthesis of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, into the rice genome. Conventional rice lacks significant amounts of beta carotene, and in regions where rice is a staple food, many people suffer from vitamin A deficiency. By providing a source of beta-carotene through a commonly consumed food, it offers a sustainable and culturally acceptable solution to vitamin A deficiency. Unlike supplements or fortified foods, which may be unaffordable or inaccessible to many people in developing countries, Golden RiceTM integrates the nutrient directly into a staple crop. This ensures that those at risk can easily incorporate it into their diet without changing their eating habits.

Furthermore, Drought-resistant crops are a critical innovation for enhancing food security, particularly in regions prone to water scarcity and erratic weather patterns. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “Between 2008 and 2018, the crop and livestock production loss in least developed countries (LDCs) and low to middle income countries (LMICs) converts to a total of 6.9 trillion lost kilocalories per year. In other words, that’s the annual calorie intake of 7 million adults.” Drought resistant crops are genetically engineered or selectively bred to endure prolonged periods of drought, ensuring stable yields even under adverse conditions. This resilience is crucial as climate change intensifies, leading to more frequent and severe droughts globally. This stability supports farmers'

livelihoods and contributes to a more reliable food supply. Additionally, these crops can be cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions, expanding agricultural possibilities and improving food availability in areas previously unsuitable for farming.

In summary, GMOs like Golden RiceTM and drought resistant crops offer significant potential to combat global hunger by improving the nutritional quality of staple crops and increasing agricultural resilience and productivity. These innovations provide sustainable solutions that

address both the immediate and long-term challenges of food security, particularly in the world's most vulnerable regions.

Through all of these discussions about revolutionary technology and accessible resources comes the question of what regular citizens can do to feed starving people and the answer may be much simpler than assumed.

Contrary to popular belief, not every hungry person is located in Africa or Asia but there people are faced with food insecurity in your towns and cities.

In the United States, one in five children does not have access to food.

Regular people can significantly impact global hunger by making mindful choices about their food consumption and financial choices.

One effective way is by supporting local, organic farmers instead of large corporations. By purchasing from local markets, citizens can ensure that their money supports farmers directly, helping them stay in business and maintain environmentally-friendly farming methods.

Finally, simply making monetary or excess food donations can directly alleviate hunger. In many communities, surplus food from households, restaurants, and grocery stores often go to waste. Instead, this food can be redirected to food banks and shelters, providing immediate relief to those in need. Apps and local initiatives facilitate food donations, ensuring that

edible food reaches people rather than landfills.

In conclusion, the use of software like M Farm, Genetically Modified Organisms and the support of citizens collectively offer powerful solutions to end global hunger. By enhancing crop resilience, improving market access, and fostering sustainable practices, these measures ensure a more secure, equitable, and nutritious food supply for all.

References:

“Hunger in America” by Feeding America" https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america#:~:text=More%20than%2044%20million%20people,have%20access%20to%20healthy%20food.

“10 Innovations That tackle World Hunger” by The Borgen Project" https://borgenproject.org/10-innovations-that-tackle-world-hunger/

“Damage and Loss” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations" https://www.fao.org/interactive/disasters-in-agriculture/en/

“UN Report: Global hunger numbers rose to as many as 828 million” in 2021 by the World Health Organization" https://www.who.int/news/item/06-07-2022-un-report--global-hunger-numbers-rose-to-as-many-as-828-million-in-2021#:~:text=As%20many%20as%20828%20million%20people%20were%20affected%20by%20hunger,9.8%25%20of%20the%20world%20population.