There are a number of significant challenges facing food production around the world, which is contributing to the global hunger crisis. However, with these challenges comes some hope, as there is a lot being done to help achieve the right levels of food production relative to the planet’s population.

What is Food Production?

When we talk about food production, we’re talking about the process of converting raw ingredients into food that is fit for consumption. There are a number of different types of food production, though some of the most common include the growth and harvesting of crops on farms around the world, the collection of milk and eggs, and even the fermentation of ingredients to create products (such as vinegar and probiotic yogurt).

Factors that are considered to be challenges to food production are those that disturb these processes at any point. This is because we are likely to experience delays in fulfilling orders, as well as poorer product quality and even complete unavailability of products as a result.

Challenges to Food Production

There are multiple challenges facing food production, and it’s important that we know as much as possible about each so that we can effectively tackle each challenge and make a difference to lives during the hunger crisis and beyond. Three of the most significant challenges to food production are the effects of climate change, population growth and soil degradation.

#1 Climate Change

The effects of climate change disrupt the availability of and access to food, as well as the quality of food products that are added to supermarket shelves around the world. In Australia, it’s easy to see the impact that climate change is having on farmers, with extreme events causing not only a change in weather patterns, but also frequent droughts. This is no different in other countries around the world, particularly countries that have a similar climate.

Disruptions to the availability of and access to food are likely to cause an increase in food prices. An increase in food prices has the potential to lower the nutritional quality of dietary intakes and amplify food inequality.

#2 Population Growth

Population growth is another significant challenge to food production, with the global population expected to hit 9.7 billion by 2050. This would mean that food production would need to increase dramatically, which would likely lower the standards of food quality. As a result, the food production industry must keep up with and even outpace population growth in order to improve upon the current level of food security around the world.

However, there are a few things that can be done to help prepare the food production industry for an increase in the global population, such as:

• Optimising the land currently used for farming and growing more on the land currently available.
• Using resources more efficiently and increasing the uptake in organic farming practices.
• Implementing global initiatives to help reduce food waste.

There is an incredible importance on ensuring the initiatives taken to reduce the effects of population growth don’t contribute to increasing the effects of climate change. That’s why there is an emphasis on initiatives such as organic farming, reducing food waste and making the most of the land currently available for farming.

#3 Soil Degradation

Soil degradation is simply the decline in the quality and condition of soil. There are a number of factors that contribute to soil degradation, such as improper use and poor management. Soil degradation is considered to be one of the main challenges that is affecting the growth of the food production industry in keeping up with the increasing population. Soil erosion is already affecting food production around the world, with losses noted across ingredients like wheat and maize.

Can The Challenges to Food Production Be Overcome?

While there is no definitive answer to this question, there are things happening that are likely to contribute to offsetting some of the pressure created by the challenges affecting food production. Agriculture is an area of focus when it comes to knowing if these challenges can be overcome, and it’s clear that this is an industry that will need to become more productive and sustainable.

With developments in agricultural technology, we have already seen changes that can be used to make food production more efficient and tackle the issues associated with challenges such as climate change, population growth and soil degradation.

Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture is a form of agriculture that is using technology to inform crop management. This practice ensures that crops and soil are treated exactly as needed depending on real-time weather forecasting, data relating to the condition of crops and soil, and more.

High-Resolution Imaging

With advances in technology has come the ability to capture extremely high-quality images of crops and soil. This means that early signs of disease, water stress and even soil degradation can be identified and treated as required. High-resolution imaging can therefore contribute to optimising processes and ensuring agricultural practices are as efficient as possible.

Charities Tackling Food Insecurity

Food production and insecurity is not just an issue that needs to be considered for the future, but right now too. That’s where charities, organisations and initiatives come into play – and they’re making a huge difference. Each with different focuses and initiatives, there are a number of organisations tackling the hunger crisis that is unfolding across a number of countries around the world in 2022, including:

• Plan International
• Save the Children
• Oxfam Australia
• Tearfund Australia
• Caritas Australia
• Anglican Overseas Aid
• Act for Peace Australia

These organisations and more are currently working with the Emergency Action Alliance as member organisations. Donating to our initiative ensures our member organisations can pool all their resources together to tackle the hunger crisis, while we help with the fundraising and distribution of donations to where they are needed most.

Help make a difference to lives during the global hunger crisis by donating to our member organisations: Hunger Crisis Appeal. If you have any questions or would like to chat with a member of our team, please contact us online.

Find out more how you can make a difference here:

How you can help.