Monthly Archives: August 2022

Role of Urban Agriculture in Improving Food Security

• August 22, 2022
• by:  RKN Global 
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The global food system is under immense pressure. The world’s population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and with urbanization and economic growth, the demand for food is expected to increase by 70%. At the same time, the amount of arable land is limited and climate change is putting additional pressure on agriculture. In order to meet the future demand for food, it is essential to increase food production.

One way to do this is through urban agriculture. Urban agriculture is the practice of growing food in and around cities. It can take many forms, from small community gardens to large-scale commercial farms.

The role of urban agriculture in food security

Urban agriculture may play an important role in food security. It increases the amount of food that can a given area can produce, and it brings farmers closer to consumers, which reduces transportation costs and makes fresh food more accessible.

Urban agriculture also has the potential to improve nutrition. By growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, urban farmers can provide city dwellers with a greater diversity of nutrients than they would otherwise have access to.

The benefits of urban agriculture

In addition to increasing food production and improving nutrition, urban agriculture offers a number of other benefits.

Urban agriculture can create jobs and generate income for farmers and farm workers. It can also help revitalize communities by beautifying neighborhoods and providing green space for recreation.

The challenges of urban agriculture

Urban agriculture is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is finding suitable land on which to grow crops. In many cities, land is expensive and scarce. Another challenge is access to water. In areas with limited water resources, farmers often have to rely on rainwater harvesting or treated wastewater.

How to overcome the challenges of urban agriculture

There are a number of ways to overcome the challenges of urban agriculture. One way is to use vertical farming systems, which allow crops to be grown in stacked layers in a small footprint. Another way is to use hydroponic or aquaponic systems, which do not require soil and can be set up in any location with access to water.

The future of urban agriculture in food security

As the world’s population continues to grow and the demand for food increases, urban agriculture may become increasingly important in meeting the needs of the world’s people. With the right policies and support, urban agriculture can have the potential to transform the way we produce and consume food.

Conclusion

Urban agriculture can be an important part of the solution to the global food security challenge. It has the potential to increase food production, improve nutrition, and create jobs and income. Despite the challenges, urban agriculture is a promising field with a bright future.

Reducing Food Waste to Address Food Insecurity

• August 1, 2022
• by:  RKN Global 
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Today we look at the issue of reducing food waste to address food insecurity. Each year, millions of tons of food go to waste while millions of people around the world do not have enough to eat. It is estimated that one-third of all food produced is never consumed. That’s 1.3 billion tons of food wasted each year!

Not only is this a travesty from a moral standpoint, but it also has significant environmental implications. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that if food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases – behind only China and the United States.

Reducing Food Waste: Reasons for food waste

There are many reasons why food is wasted. On the production side, crops can be lost due to bad weather or pests. In developed countries, much food is wasted because it does not meet cosmetic standards – for example, fruits and vegetables that are misshapen or blemished.

Once food reaches the retail level, customers can be picky about what they purchase, and supermarkets will often discard perfectly edible food that is nearing its expiration date. And finally, at the consumer level, we often cook or purchase more food than we can eat, and end up throwing it away.

How food waste contributes to food insecurity

One of the main ways that food waste contributes to food insecurity is by taking away potential resources that could be used to feed people in need.

When crops are lost due to bad weather or pests, that is food that could have fed people. When supermarkets discard food that is nearing its expiration date, that is also food that could have gone  to people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Ways to reduce food waste

There are many ways to reduce food waste. On the production side, farmers can engage in crop rotation and use more environmentally-friendly pesticides.

On the retail side, supermarkets can donate unsold food to food banks or sell it at a discount. And on the consumer side, we can be more mindful of the amount of food we purchase, and cook only what we need.

The other way to reduce food waste is to donate surplus or unused food to charities or food banks. This helps to address the problem of food insecurity, which is when people do not have access to enough nutritious food to lead healthy lives.

How reducing food waste can help address food insecurity

Reducing food waste is an effective way to address food insecurity. By redirecting resources that would otherwise be wasted, we can help ensure that more people have enough to eat.

In addition, by reducing the amount of food we waste, we can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down climate change.

Conclusion

Food waste is a major problem both in terms of food insecurity and environmental sustainability. However, there are many ways to reduce food waste, and doing so can have a significant impact in addressing these two pressing issues.