Aasai

FOOD SHORTAGE 

Discuss the causes of food shortage 

Food shortage is a situation where there is insufficient food to meet the demand of a certain population. Food shortage can affect a certain region or area or the whole country leading malnutrition, hunger and sometimes famine. The following are the causes of food shortage are:

Rapid population growth. As population increases, more food is supposed to be produced so that shortage may not occur. Population growth creates a lot of pressure on available farms . If the population grows and the food production decreases it causes food shortage.

Occurrence of natural disasters. Natural disaster is a crisis caused by natural forces, for example floods, drought and earthquake can damage crops and farmlands. Ie drought over a longer period of time can make water sources and plants to dry making it difficult for farmers to grow crops. Floods can sweep away food storage and plants in the farm leading to lack of food.

Arise of wars and conflict. Areas with high rate and probability of wars and conflict are more likely to face food shortages because roads and market can be blocked to cut shot the supply of food. At times conflict causes destruction of infrastructure like the irrigations system and storage facilities .

Climatic changes. The rising temperature and rainfall patterns can cause production of low yields. It has also affected the planting and harvesting seasons since the climate has become unpredictable.

Food wastage. Misuses of food has brought about food shortage. Food wastage can occur when a lot of food is harvested or bought and the storage is poor, throwing away of leftovers and spoilage of food during transportation.

Poor agricultural practices. Use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers, outdated tools and poor quality seed has reduced the production rate. Consistence use of farm making it to lose its soil fertility since time of recovery of soil t fertility is not given contributing to low production.

Economic factors. Poverty, increase in food prices has restricted peoples capacity to purchase food even though it is available. The rise of corruption and poor distribution system has hindered the access of food by the local people.

Scarcity of water. Unavailability of enough water for irrigation limit food production. Agricultural sector depends highly on water to get high production and food availability.

Corruption and political instability. corruption can divert financer set aside for agricultural and rural development. Political instability affect agricultural sector, when the is poor policy planning due to unstable government which may fail to enforce good agricultural practices.

In conclusion,  if some of  these causes are managed early enough their could be a reduction in the rate of food shortage. Such causes include poor agricultural practices, food wastage, rapid population growth , corruption and political instability and scarcity of water.