Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
capita availability in the region averaging less than 2300 calories in 2005. Within
this region, there are large variations. Eritrea, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic
of Congo have an average per capita availability of less than 1700 calories, indicat-
ing severe food insecurity. Conversely, countries such as Nigeria and Ghana have
surpassed 2800 calories.
AdequAcy of food
As discussed, at the aggregate level, world food production grew faster than
population over the past several decades. However, the available food has not
been distributed evenly. At one extreme, there is the United States, where per
capita food availability exceeded 3500 calories per day in 2005. At the other
extreme is SSA, where per capita food availability averaged only 2300 calories.
The paradox of the increase in global food availability and persistent hunger
stems from income inequality both among and within countries. The gap in per
capita income across countries has grown over time, and now there are concerns
over widening income gaps in the most populous emerging market economies
(i.e., China and India).
Hunger persists even in well-off countries, but in general, hunger is deep and
most severe in countries where food supplies are low at the national level. According
to FAO, in 2005 about 800 million people, or 20% of the population of developing
countries, were undernourished (FAO, 2006a). In SSA, this share equaled 37%.
Even in countries where per capita income is relatively high, poverty and hunger
continue to be major problems, largely due to skewed income distribution and
the resulting implications for food security for the lower-income groups. Latin
American countries have the most skewed income distribution. On average, the
highest income quintile (20% of the population) in this region holds nearly 57% of
the national income, while the lowest-income group holds less than 5%. In Colombia
and Guatemala, these numbers are even more distorted as the highest-income group
holds more than 60% of total income, while the lowest-income group holds less
than 1%. These resulting low-income levels severely constrain purchasing power of
the lower-income groups and thereby hinder these populations from purchasing a
nutritionally adequate food basket.
PeRfoRmAnce of comPonents of food
consumPtIon: PRoductIon, tRAde, And food AId
In almost all countries, domestic food production accounts for the bulk of food con-
sumption, despite the growing role of food trade. This means that performance of
domestic production is a key to improving food consumption. In SSA, for example,
domestic production accounts for 90% of food availability on average. For lower-
income developing countries, performance of the food and agriculture sectors is
critical because, in addition to nutritional needs, a large share of their populations
depends on agriculture for their livelihoods.
