Key facts
- Conflicts and energy market disruptions could push millions more into hunger.
- Global hunger has eased but remains fragile, with over 500 million projected to face chronic hunger by 2030.
- Africa is expected to bear the largest burden of chronic hunger.
- Affordability is a major challenge, with a significant portion of the population in low-income countries unable to afford healthy diets.
- Climate shocks like floods and droughts are increasingly disrupting agriculture.
- Governments are urged to invest in resilient food systems and climate adaptation.
Conflicts and disruptions in global energy markets pose a significant threat to progress against world hunger, potentially pushing millions more into food insecurity, according to Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). A new United Nations report indicates that while global hunger has seen a modest decrease, it remains fragile, with projections suggesting over 500 million people could face chronic hunger by 2030, a burden disproportionately shouldered by Africa.
Lario highlighted that geopolitical tensions and potential disruptions to shipping and energy supplies, particularly in light of conflicts like the one impacting the Strait of Hormuz, could exacerbate hunger by an additional 9 to 18 million people if these shocks continue. He emphasized that conflict is a primary driver of hunger and displacement, creating a cyclical relationship that hinders efforts to achieve food security.
Higher energy prices are directly impacting agricultural production by increasing the cost of fertilizers and fuel, which are essential for small-scale farmers for irrigation, harvesting, and transportation. This rise in production expenses inevitably contributes to higher food prices for consumers.
The UN report also identifies affordability as a critical challenge, noting that while food production is increasing, a substantial portion of the global population, especially in low-income countries, cannot afford a healthy diet. Climate change further compounds these issues, with extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves increasingly disrupting agricultural activities worldwide.
Africa is identified as the epicenter of the global food security crisis, with projections indicating it will host nearly 60% of the world's chronically undernourished population by 2030. Lario attributed this to factors including rapid population growth and slower economic gains compared to Asia, underscoring the need for increased investment in agriculture, infrastructure, and food systems within the continent. African nations currently import a significant amount of food, highlighting the critical need to bolster local production, storage, distribution, and regional trade networks.