Why do food shortages still occur?

Political

Civil strife

Poor governance

A situation in which a country faces major internal conflicts such as riots, unrests or civil war.

Definition

May lead to disputes over control of resources that affect food production

Exercise of economic & political authority to manage a country’s affairs

Poor governance

Definition

Corruption

Policy errors

Inability to implement policy

Food shortage

Example

Prioritises other developmental needs of the country

Resources may be destroyed, hindering food production.

The lack of food supply can be the root of conflict, starting a viscious cycle of civil strife and shortage of food.

Farmers left with smaller plots of land for farming

Smaller crop yield

Example

Indian state of Madhya Predesh in 2010

Critical shortage of flour and other food items at Syrian village of Houla due to civil unrest where there was a massacre of over 100 people in may 2021

Development of mining, a steel plant and a port

40 000 Villagers deprived of land for farming

Villagers lost the means to produce their own food

Left with extremely limited income to buy food

leads to economic loss, lowered standard of living