Food Security

FOOD SECURITY

by Anton Antonio

June 25, 2015

The term “food security” is a commonly used term… others use it to stress a point… while others use it as a punch line.  Some even use it as a “stand-alone” term which is even more disturbing since it resolves nothing.

Food is the energy source of both animals and plants.  It provides the nutritional element that guarantees the cycle and continuance of life.

Food security is the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food.  At the core of food security is access to healthy food and optimal nutrition for all.  Food access is closely linked to food supply and food chain.  Food security is largely dependent on a healthy and sustainable food system.  Food quality, on the other hand, has a lot to do with organic crops grown on safe soil.  “Safe soil” means no modifications and use of synthetic pesticides, bioengineered genes (GMOs), petroleum-based fertilizers, and sewage sludge-based fertilizers.  More often, people resort to growth enhancing interventions to attain production volume at the shortest possible period.   

Conventional thinking of the term “food security” emphasizes supply as its centrepiece.  In fact, economic managers think that providing sufficient food alone (with no regard for food quality whatsoever) is more important in the food chain and food system.  However, the concepts of food security and food quality should remain inseparable.  Food production that puts premium on “quantity” alone and totally disregarding or ignoring “quality” may not work in the long run.  This condition will only result to a weak and unhealthy populace… if not widespread malnutrition. 

Sustainable organic agriculture, therefore, should be “it” for man at present and the future generations.  "Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.  It emphasises the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems.  This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system." (FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, 1999).  If we were to populate this planet with healthy inhabitants, organic agriculture should form an equal part of the concept of food security.

Just my little thoughts…

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REFERENCE:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, (1999).  Retrieved on June 25, 2015 from http://www.fao.org/organicag/oa-faq/oa-faq1/en/