In 2007-2008, there was a global problem called “the world food price crisis.” There was a rapid increase in food prices, causing more than a billion of people to suffer from hunger. The food riots broke out in 37 undeveloped countries such as Bangladesh and Haiti. At that time, ‘Agflation’ phenomenon occurred. Agflation, a word that combines agriculture and inflation, is a phenomenon that takes place when increases in agriculture commodity prices affect the entire economy and ascend the entire price. For example, if the price of grains such as corn, beans and wheat greatly increase, not only does the price of agricultural products but also meat and processed food increase as well. The FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, stated that because of the rise in food prices, at least 37 countries would face a serious food crisis and also warned that global starvation would deteriorate. In 2008, the warning became a reality.
*GAM: Global Acute Malnutrition. It is an international criteria used to evaluate the nutritive conditions of people who are chronic refugees.
10%↑: It is generally considered as serious food crisis or shortage problem.
15%↑: It is quite critical food crisis.
30%↑: More than 2 people per thousand die a day. Eastern Africa’s food crisis is an example.
In 2012, because of abnormal climate changes, food prices are rising sharply. Many people are concerned that the world food price crisis of 2008 could happen again. The FAO warned “If the current trend continues, it is possible for “the world food price crisis,” that we suffered in 2008 to repeat its history.”
l Causes of Food Shortage
First of all, El Niño, a phenomenon that takes place when the temperature of the Pacific Ocean abnormally rises, will occur this autumn and winter. Currently, the temperature is increasing and droughts are occurring all around the world.
El Niño disrupts the agricultural production such as beans, corn, sugar canes etc. Because of this, people are concerned that ‘Global Food Supply Crisis’ will happen again. If El Niño appears strongly, severe droughts will occur in Australia, Africa, and South East Asia. Therefore, the production of cocoa, coffee, rice and sugar cane may decline sharply in Asia. There may also be wheat damages from the harvest in Australia.
The second cause that triggers food shortage is droughts in various parts of the world. Almost all nations are experiencing drought. Even the United States is experiencing the worst drought in 56 years. The Midwest is a breadbasket of America called the 'corn belt,’ and not only does it supply Americans, but it supplies many other countries as well. The output of corn in this area is about 36% and 44% of the corn is exported to the rest of the world. Also, 35% and 30% of beans are exported. However, it has not rained much in ‘the corn belt’ since last April, because of the severe drought. The corn prices thus have increased by about 50% and about 25% for beans in the global grain market.
Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, the global wheat (the world's 3 representative grains: corns, beans, wheat) producing areas, are suffering from drought. The future price of wheat will rise sharply in Russia because of continuous dry climate. Ukraine and Kazakhstan are also confronted with the same problem. If the grain production decreases and the prices increase, the world food crisis could happen again.
Lastly, the world food crisis happens because the food price increases. The FAO announced that international food price rose 6% because grain and sugar price increased rapidly. The FAO explained "The main factor of food price increase is due to the rapidly increasing corn price that has resulted from the critical drought in mid area of America.” People are concerned about the global food crisis because heat wave and droughts are lasting longer in the world major breadbasket such as North and South America and Russia. Experts expect that the 2008 world food crisis would come again if the drought continues.
l Solutions to solving food shortage
1. Utilizing the Ocean
2012 Yeosu Expo-FAO international symposium was held in the international conference hall regarding 'Alleviating Hunger & Poverty: Making a Difference with Fish’, on Aug 8-10. Experts from all over the world debated about world food crisis solutions using the ocean. The topic of the debate was-‘The sustainable availability of marine products and solutions’. Arni M. Mathiesen, a deputy executive director (DED) of FAO, said, "Over a billion people in the world suffer from famine and another billion people is in malnutrition. Their future food should be produced in the marine".
In addition, Park Young-dae, DED of the organizing committee said, "We should notice boundless potential of the ocean and recognize that using marine is a solution to food crisis. We held this international symposium FAO to utilize the ocean as a solution to food shortage.” If the people around the world eagerly participate in this project of using marine to produce food, there might be a solution that will rise and accommodate the idea for the whole wide world.
- Using Biotechnology
Biotechnology (BT) agriculture is a skill inserting typical genes into another grain and recombining the genes. Genes are combined or the cells are transformed. For example, if genes are strong in resistibility toward drought it can be applied to grains that are susceptible to dry climate. The grains will then become immune to drought. Using this technology, experts can assign typical features to grains selectively, such as grains that are not damaged in flood condition and those that can endure diseases and insects. One or the other or both can be inserted in to the grain. This helps to get a stable supply of grains and overcome food crisis. Furthermore, experts can make corn that is not damaged by insects and golden rice full of vitamins. Beans made by BT are cultivated about 98% and 70% in America and Argentina respectively.
Agriculture biotechnology increases production and saves agricultural land. It is also predictable to climate change because it reduces carbon dioxide and insecticide. According to a report, the production increased 2760 thousand tons and cultivation area expanded 94 times since agricultural biotechnology has been commercialized from 1996.
Monsanto, a global industry committed to sustainable agriculture, invested in a BT study to increase crops through developing superior seeds and to use sources efficiently. For example, researchers at Monsanto developed advanced seeds that are resistant to diseases, insects, and droughts. They also made ‘Round-up ready’ corn seeds that are immune to insects such as moths and root borers.
However, Agricultural biotechnology is a less developed field in South Korea compared to other countries. Kim Tae-san, a representative of Croplife Korea (Agricultural biotechnology development business) said Agricultural Biotechnology is an important solution to solve the world food crisis. He added that because there are no indigenous genes and technical skills in Korea this technology industry is less developed compared to other countries.
Brazil is the second largest cultivation area in 29 countries which cultivate using agricultural biotechnology. The reason cultivation increased rapidly in Brazil is through relaxed regulations by the government and cooperation with public and private institutions. Developed countries such as America, Japan and China consistently invest a great amount of money in BT. Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao forced to invest 3 billion dollars in BT for 15 years.
To develop BT in Korea, the government should relax regulations, invest in BT and the technology skill should be improved. Research agencies should devote to BT research not only to solve food problem but also to save humankind as a mission. However there are some factors to consider in BT, because changing genes inside a living object is quite a new technology. There is no knowing if it will bring side effects in the future. There could be no side effect but if it does come up later in the future it could bring havoc to the world. Therefore considering the path to produce food products underwater in the marine is another great way to escape world famine. Although it also is a relatively new technology, if the environment and the living beings that live underwater are left unharmed, the marine project would be an excellent way to escape food crisis.
Presently, the climate is changing abnormally, the food prices are increasing rapidly, and the food shortage is gradually coming. Because these situations are happening, we should come up with solutions to prepare for the upcoming food crisis. The global food crisis will be solved with new solutions such as biotechnology and marine project that will secure the stable production of grains.