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