Science of Life
Conclusion
After gathering results and information, we found that the issue of world hunger is extremely complex and cannot be solved with just one solution. To prepare the developing world with food to accommodate a large population, multiple solutions were highlighted. Based on evidence, the best possible solutions have been chosen to fit the developing world and ensure enough food can be produced and accessed by its citizens.
Genetic Modification
Genetic Modification (GM) is a very advanced and effective method of improving a given crop's abilities to resist disease, drought, pests, and other environmental factors that affect plant life. As a concept, genetic modification really has very few downsides once a GM crop is planted in the ground - it needs less water, less care, and still produces more food than non-GM plants would.
Despite this, it is difficult to produce GM seedlings without a strong infrastructure to create, modify, and distribute them. Whilst viable in some countries, other countries that are extremely poor may not be able to afford the infrastructure needed to effectively switch over to GM plants. On the other hand, plants that produce more will also mean that more can be sold by a farmer, which will increase their profits and possibly allow them to switch to buying GM crops full time.
Despite the small additional initial cost, GM is probably one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase the efficiency of farms and once developing countries can attribute the needed resources to getting good, approved genetically modified crops. The added extra 15-20% of produce can really make an impact in a world facing overpopulation and thus is one of the most realistic, short-term goals that can be implemented to combat food shortages stemming from overpopulation in developing countries.
Vertical Farming
Vertical farming is a modern and high-tech system designed to save water, produce more crops and have more stable yields all year long. It proves to be a great system for the long term and can be set up locally even in large cities. However, with such helpful technology, it takes a lot of funding and investment to start up.
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If vertical farms are set up incorrectly, it can often have a devastating effect and ruin crops and their health. With such a fragile system, experts are essential to help the installation of a vertical farm. This makes it a difficult process especially in developing countries where professionals are not as common in this field.
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Considering this technology is quite recent, most of it is reasonably expensive. Therefore, vertical farming shouldn’t be the main solution at this current time especially in countries that struggle with money. The spread of these farms will be a gradual process as the technology becomes more advanced, easier to install as well as being less expensive, vertical farming will become easier to spread faster in the future.
Urban Agriculture
Urban agriculture has proven to be beneficial in many ways, especially as populations grow and many shift to urban ways of life. Not only is it a solution to decrease malnourishment, it can also often provide nearly as much income on the side as certain full-time jobs including low skilled construction work. This makes a substantial difference, especially in the lives of poorer people, to not only feed their families but improve their quality of life.
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However, is urban agriculture the best solution for feeding an ever-expanding population? Urban agriculture is a great solution for communities of developing countries. The form of traditional farming does not require any excessive amount of investment to get it started. Generally, many substitutions can be made, and it therefore does not require a high access to resources.
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Urban agriculture may seem a great solution, but there are still things that must be considered. Urbanisation is a gradual process. Farmers must be educated on the concept of urban agriculture and the benefits it provides for their families; this would encourage the use of the method. It mostly relies on the public to grow their own gardens, and consequently isn’t the primary solution for large farms with high food demands.
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is undeniably a top solution for facing food insecurity in developing countries. There are so many benefits of switching from monoculture cropping to crop rotation, and farmers are able to change systems immediately and at a low cost. While monoculture cropping leads to a reduction in soil health, spread diseases among plants, and cause deforestation, crop rotation allows for the increase in soil health and fertility, increase in nutrients, limits the chance of disease and pest infestation, and reduces the need for fertilizers and toxic chemicals which would do more harm to the environment than good.
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Crop rotation would allow farmers to meet food demands both in small communities and large populations, and earn an income with low pressure. The system increases yields for multiple crop species by an average of fifteen percent and ensures quick efficiency without requiring a large land mass. Subsequently, farmers would no longer have to rely on the unstable process of monoculture cropping to secure their daily food sources, and would have a farming system that benefits themselves and other families in their area.
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Most in sub-Saharan Africa are used to monoculture cropping, which is not effective and negatively affects the environment. This is why education programs should be established to share our knowledge of crop rotation to smallholders and farmers all over sub-Saharan Africa. The Food and Agricultural Organisation, who have provided education programs across Zimbabwe, prove that education is important and would quickly increase yields and agricultural productivity in developing countries.
Entomophagy
Entomophagy is a dietary practice recommended by many experts worldwide and brings a variety of benefits to the world. Insect eating provides us with nutritional, environmental and economic advantages and would especially reduce undernourishment rates in certain developing countries such as Thailand and Nigeria, where insect eating is common.
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Insects are high in protein, fat, fibre, vitamin and mineral content. Crickets are able to provide the same amount of nutrients as beef, but can be farmed in just a tenth of the land required to farm cows. Furthermore, insects are known to be an environmentally friendly food source as the greenhouse gas production is much less in insects than in common animal foods such as beef, pork and chicken. Unemployed people also have the chance to earn an income from insect farming, as there is a huge market in South-East Asia and this market is predicted to grow overtime.
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Entomophagy is misunderstood in western cultures, which would make it very difficult to promote. The task of convincing would be less difficult and gradual in the developing world as many are impoverished and left to starve, and would generally be open to the concept. However, entomophagy in the western world would require more encouragement. We suggest implementing the practice in supermarkets and restaurants, starting with insect flours and then slowly adjusting to foods consisting of entire insects. Entomophagy in the developed world would mean that agricultural foods grown in the developing world would be left to their own communities, establishing a foundation for food security in developing countries across the globe.