Food Security in the Developed and Developing Worlds - Essay Example

?Food Security in the Developed and Developing Worlds: A Contrast I. Introduction As the world population marches to 8 billion people, food security is an important concern both in the local and in the global arenas. The official United Nation definition of food security is that it means the “availability of adequate world food supplies of basic foodstuffs to sustain a steady expansion of food consumption and to offset fluctuations in production and prices” (Food and Agricultural Organizations of the United Nations, 2003, p. 27, citing the definition adopted by the World Food Summit in 1974). The specific routes that countries choose to address food security, however, are determined by their specific circumstances and the routes they choose may be inconsistent with the food security interests and perspectives with the rest of the world. Josling (2010) noticed this point when he said that “food policies in industrialized countries may also have somewhat negative impact on developing economies.” The OECD website in http://stats.oecd.org/glossary/ revealed that there is “no established convention for the designation of ‘developed” and ‘developing’ countries” but Todaro and Smith (2006, p. 810) pointed out that the developing countries are the “present countries of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union, mainly characterised by low levels of living, high rates of population growth, low income per capita, and general economic and technological dependence on developed economies.” It is important to identify how food security is being addressed in developed countries versus how it is addressed in developing countries so we can define the starting points through which the international community can develop a unified strategy in addressing food security. We must develop a unified world food security strategy that is congruent or consistent with country specific conditions and whose content is compatible with country specific interests. Josling (2010) pointed out that “food assistance programs in industrialized countries have marginally disadvantaged consumers in other countries.” Further, “food and safety regulations seem to be biased against developing country imports” (Josling, 2010). At minimum, Josling’s statements indicate that the food security strategies adopted by countries are not in harmony with each other’s policies. It is important to address the issue of food security because it involves the right to food. Meanwhile, the right to food has four complementary components---food availability, food accessibility, food adequacy, and sustainable food system (UN Mission to the People’s Republic of China, 2010, p. 1). II. Food Security in Developing and Developed Countries Food security in developing and developed countries can be contrasted on at least four aspects. First, developed countries generally address food security through large-scale agricultural and industrial production while developing countries address food security through small and scattered production systems. The latter constitutes what Todaro and Smith (2006, pp. 430-439) described as latifundio or mini-fundio agricultural economies in the developing world. The latifundio or mini-fundio economies are characterized by fragmented agricultural production side-by-side with large tracts on land for agriculture using primitive or semi-primitive agricultural tools. Second, developed countries address food security by integrating its economy with the world market while small and independent producers in many developing countries or a large section of producers in developing countries attempt to realize food security through small, independent, and self-reliant production systems. For instance, one main feature of the so-called “’new farm’ and food policies of industrial countries” is the “removal of governments from management of commodity markets” (Josling, 2010, slide 5). Third, notwithstanding the earlier point, developed economies are protecting and subsidizing local food production and their agricultural sector while developing economies are largely unable to do the same because they need the international community to access food. Along this line, Josling (2010) noticed that “food safety and quality regulations sometimes seem to be biased against developing country imports.” Yet, at the same time, Josling (2010) observed that “price support has dropped markedly.” Related to this, the BBC recently reported that even China introduced food subsidies (2010). Finally or fourth, developed economies address food security under situations of economies of scale and decreasing marginal costs while developing economies are largely unable to do the same. This means that developed countries are able to enjoy the benefits of large-scale production while many developing countries are constrained from doing the same. III. Factors Impacting on Food Security There are at least six factors impacting on world food security that affect both developing and developed nations. We enumerate the six and briefly compare at least two countries on the first three factors. First, developing economies have limited means and resources with which to address food security while developed economies generally have larger means and resources with which to address food security. Because of this factor, developing economies are more likely vulnerable to a food crisis than industrialized countries, even if greater food production has been identified with developing rather than developed economies. As Oxfam (2011, p. 1) pointed out, poor nations are more vulnerable to a food crisis than richer nation. Developing countries are also becoming more vulnerable to a food crisis because of the funding shortfalls in addressing food security (Oxfam, 2011, p. 2). Yet, the Yahoo news report of July 2011 is also highly indicative of the vulnerability of developed countries to a food crisis or to food security issues. Ultimately, the higher grocery prices reported in the Yahoo news can lead to the inability of some UK households to avail adequate and nutritious food for their families. Nevertheless, the standard of living in the UK as well as in other developed countries of Europe and the United States enable many people in the said countries to have adequate or relatively adequate food. In contrast, countries Ethiopia are known to have people dying in the streets because of poverty. Countries like Ethiopia are known to have a large percentage of their population that tries to make ends meet on one pound a day while their many of their counterparts in Europe and especially in the United Kingdom have a higher standard of living (Shah, 2010). In the United Kingdom, for example, families spend more than seven pounds a day for food (Beard, 2007). Second, many of the developed economies are enjoying economies of scale while developing economies are usually unable to enjoy economies of scale in food production. As of 1999, for instance, the value added per agricultural worker in the United Kingdom was US$34,370 (Todaro and Smith, 2006, p. 427). In Sweden and Japan, value added per agricultural worker was US$34,285 and US$30,620 respectively for 1999 (Todaro and Smith, 2006, p. 427). In contrast, the value added per agricultural worker in low income countries has been as low as US$340 (Todaro and Smith, 2006, p. 427). Todaro and Smith (2006, p. 427) described that the gap in agricultural or food production ability between developed and developing countries is “immense.” In 1960, agricultural productivity in developed countries is 13 times than the agricultural productivity of developing countries. In 2000, however, the gap widened: the agricultural or food production productivity gap between developed and developing countries is such that developed countries produce 50 times than what each agricultural worker of developing countries can produce (Todaro and Smith, 2006, p. 427). The gap in productivity between developed and developing countries is also such that, in United States for instance, only 2% of the labour population has to be engaged in agriculture (Todaro and Smith, 2006, p. 427). In contrast, in many developing countries, the labour force engaged in agriculture is roughly from 25 to 50% of the country population. Third, the extent of a country’s integration with the world economy is an important factor that provides the specific options under which food security can be addressed. Countries that enjoy greater integration with the world market enjoy manifold options in addressing food security despite the presence of market risks. In contrast, developing economies that took the path of “self-reliance” and autarky have less international market risks but are extremely vulnerable to natural and climate risks. In particular, the United Kingdom exported ?12 billion of food and drinks in 2007 but it imported around 40% of their food (Global Food Security, 2011). An example of a developing country that has been described as closed and in autarky is North Korea. North Korea. Ryall (2010) reported at least 10 percent of North Korea’s 24 million people face starvation in that country. Fourth, countries and markets are increasingly being concerned with the health implications on how they address food security and on this matter, developed countries appear to be most sensitive and alert. Josling (2010), for instance, pointed out that there is “an increasing concern for good quality and safety” among developed countries.” There is also an “emphasis changing to environmental implications of farming” (Josling, 2010). One of the recent developments in the 21st century is that “production methods are becoming important” in food marketing (Josling, 2010). Fifth, the international community is an era where new uses are being promoted for farm products (Josling, 2010). Josling reported that “significant subsidies to biofuel use (ethanol and biodiesel) divert corn and other crops away from food uses” (2010). The diversion of crops away from food uses “exacerbated price rises” especially in 2007-08 and poses “significant challenge to food security” (Josling, 2010). This factor will likely negatively affect developing countries compared to developed countries as much of a developing country space is devoted to agricultural production for energy. Finally or sixth, disease outbreaks constitute another factor that impacts on food security both on developed and developing countries. This is recognized by Global Food Security (2011). For instance, in developed countries, one disease outbreak that threatened food supply is the mad cow disease although the disease can also affect developing. The bird flu virus that was associated with developing countries had for some time threatened both man and the food he eats or poultry. The latter continues to be a threat because an outbreak remains possible in both developed and developing countries. IV. Conclusion In conclusion, developed and developing countries are in different circumstances with regard to addressing food security. Because of this, there is a need to work at the international level to harmonize how countries can address food security in a manner that the results would be consistent or be in harmony with the interests of the international community and the local economies as well. Industrial countries, for instance, should ask whether their farm and food policies are compatible with the food security programs of developing countries and whether there is a case for a beneficial harmonization of food security policies between developed and developing countries (Josling, 2010). The international community and international bodies like the World Trade Organization (WTO) can also ask themselves “how might trade rules be adjusted to make sure that conflicts between industrialized countries policies and food security are minimized” (Josling, 2010). Some suggestions are provided by Josling (2010). For instance, he identified the importance of adjusting trade rules based on the new realities for our time (Josling, 2010). He also suggested that “food quality standards need to be watched …to ensure that developing countries do not suffer from bias in implementation” (Josling, 2010). References BBC News Business. (2010, 17 November). China introduces subsidies amid food shortages. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11772184 [Accessed on 21st July 2011] . Beard, M. (2007, 19 January). Families spending “less on fresh food than on takeaways.” London: The Independent. Available at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/families-spending-less-on-fresh-food-than-on-takeaways-432765.html (Accessed 21st July 2011]. Food and Agricultural Organizations of the United Nations. (2003). Trade reforms and food security: Conceptualizing the linkages. Rome: UN FAO. Global Food Security. (2011). UK threat. Available at http://www.foodsecurity.ac.uk/issue/uk.html [Accessed on 18th July 2011]. Josling, T. (2010, April). Trade Policy for Food Security: Farm Policies of Developed Countries. ICTSD (International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development), Available at: http://ictsd.org/downloads/2010/04/timjoslingpdf.pdf [Accessed on 21st July 2011]. Oxfam 2011. (2011, 20 July). East Asia food crisis: poor rains, poor response. Oxfam Briefing Note. Available at: http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bn-east-africa-food-crisis-200711-en.pdf [Accessed on 21st July 2011]. Ryall, J. (2011). North Korea food crisis: Factfile. The Telegraph. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/8759134/North-Korea-food-crisis-factfile.html [Accessed 4 December 2011]. Shah, A., (2010, 13 September). Poverty facts and stats. Available from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats [Accessed on 2nd December 2011]. Todaro, M. and Smith, S. (2006). An introduction to economic development. 9th ed. Harlow: Pearson Addison Wesley. UN Mission to the People’s Republic of China. (2010). Preliminary observations and conclusions. Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, 15-23 December. New York: United Nations. Available at: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/5CEA70A608AE05A4C1257802003794DC-Full_report.pdf [Accessed on 21st July 2011]. World Bank. (2011). Country and lending groups. New York: The World Bank. Available from http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-classifications/country-and-lending-groups Yahoo! News, Press Association. (2011, 19 July). Grocery price hikes hit households/ http://uk.news.yahoo.com/grocery-price-hikes-hit-households-132901286.html [Accessed on 19th July 2011] . Read More