Chapter 6: Food Security and Nutrition

Food security is the assurance that individuals have consistent access to sufficient food without facing or fearing shortages. It is achieved when people are free from hunger or the threat of it. This concept is categorized into two distinct levels: absolute and relative. Absolute food security exists when a country can produce food internally at levels that meet or surpass local demand, achieving complete self-sufficiency. In contrast, relative food security pertains to a country’s capacity to produce and supply food, fully or partially, to meet its population’s needs.

The pursuit of food security has emerged as a crucial issue for individuals, societies, and global organizations, particularly in response to recent crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change impacts, and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. These events have disrupted food, energy, and agricultural inputs, leading to sharp increases in global prices and impacting international supply chains, especially affecting developing African nations.