Causes of food security

There can be many causes of food insecurity. Some causes are short term and are brought about by nature being destructive, eg, when floods, cyclones, droughts, or locust plagues destroy crops and food stores.

Floods

After the cyclones

Drought

Food insecurity is also caused by humans being destructive and fighting wars. A war usually means that many will go hungry. Bombs, bullets and land mines make it impossible to plough, plant and harvest.

Wars

Sometimes the problem is in the environment. If there is not enough fresh water for all the crops the people need to irrigate; if soil erosion has been extensive; if the local rivers and seas have been overfished … then the people will suffer long term food insecurity.

Land Erosion

Sometimes the causes of food insecurity are social and economic. This can happen if farmers have very small farms, or uncertain tenure, or use poor farming techniques, and cannot grow enough food for themselves and to sell to others.

Poor farming technology