by Colette Georgii

Created on: May 19, 2008   Last Updated: April 09, 2009

Hunger and global food deprivation: Issues and solutions

Food riots and protests have broken out worldwide in Cambodia, Indonesia, Egypt, Haiti, and Africa. Food riots in Africa are reported in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Somalia, and Senegal.

Food prices in West Africa have risen by 50%. Sierra Leone food prices have risen by 300%. Food prices in the United States have risen by 41% for wheat, corn, and rice. In Haiti there is a 50% price increase in rice, beans, and fruit. People in Haiti are eating mud cakes according to Raj Patel author of "Stuffed and Starved: the Hidden Battle for the World Food System."

In many cases it is not a matter of food shortages, but of governmental laws and controls that are causing food deprivation such as in Somalia where the local coinage is no longer accepted for purchasing food at some markets.

WE NEED A WORLDWIDE COALITION TO FIGHT HUNGER

First and foremost we need a Worldwide Coalition of all environmental, hunger and food organizations, and NGOs (non-government organizations) who will send volunteers and workers to all countries experiencing the worst food shortages. They will assess land, soil, and water conditions specific to their environments and come up with long range solutions to long term economic independence for the residents of these developing countries.

Existent food organizations that feed the hungry should continue with their efforts, especially in hard hit disaster areas; but they should keep in mind that handouts destroy the ability of people to pursue their own economic ends.

A LONG-TERM STRATEGIC SOLUTION

1) Organic and Sustainable farming must be taught worldwide to all people especially the small farmers in developing countries. Small farmers in the developed countries such as America also need to practice organic and sustainable agriculture.

Studies show that organic farming produces yields up to three times greater than traditional farming and with less money. Large corporations who want to capitalize on the hunger of the masses are responsible for traditional farming propaganda that floods the media worldwide. Traditional farming practices that produce high yield also deplete the soil and water systems, making the soil unsuitable for continued farming after a few years. Organic farming produces soil that renews itself and continues to be productive.

2) Citizens in all countries need to take control of their economic well being. Economic development must be a grass-roots, bottom up effort

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