FOOD SECURITY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: According to a recently released report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on World Food Day, a mounting global water crisis jeopardizes $58 trillion in economic value, food security, and sustainability.

• The document gave the example of Europe’s Danube basin. 80% of the floodplains along the Danube and tributaries — essential for flood and drought risk mitigation, groundwater recharge and water filtration have been lost.

Food Security

• Definition: According to World Bank, food security is defined when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
• The four main dimensions of food security: -

o Physical availability of food

o Economic and physical access to food

o Food utilization

o Stability of the other three dimensions over time

 World Food Day 

• Founded: In 1945 by Food and Agriculture Organization
• It was declared an international holiday after 34 years during the 20th FAO summit in November 1979.
• Date: 16th October each year
• Theme 2023: "Water is life, water is food." "Don't leave anyone behind." "Water is necessary for life on Earth."

World Wide Fund  for Nature (WWF)

• Established: In 1961 
• Headquarter: In Gland, Switzerland.
• Previously known as the: World Wildlife Fund
• Mission: WWF's mission is to halt the degradation of the planet's natural environment and create a future in which humans coexist harmoniously with nature.
• Global Reach: The world's largest conservation organization, boasting over five million supporters across 100 countries.