DVA4804 Sustainable Development: Policy, Practice and Environment
Assignment 01 Semester 02 2025
Due: Thursday, 28 August 2025, 4:00 PM
185368
, QUESTION 4
Understanding Food Insecurity and the Path Towards Solutions
In many parts of the world, food insecurity continues to cast a long shadow over the
lives of millions. It is not merely a matter of not having enough to eat it reflects a deeper,
more complex web of social, economic, environmental, and political challenges. As a
student of sustainable development, I have come to realise that tackling food insecurity
requires much more than increasing food supply; it requires structural change and an
inclusive, forward-thinking approach.
One of the strongest themes that emerge from the literature is the link between poverty,
inequality, and access to food. People may live near farmlands teeming with crops or
shops stocked with groceries, but if they don’t have the economic means or rights to
access them, food insecurity persists. Candel (2017) stresses that food security is
shaped by more than just agricultural policies it is also about how governance structures
either support or marginalise vulnerable communities. In rural areas especially, small-
scale farmers many of whom are women often lack secure land rights or access to
credit, making it difficult for them to produce or purchase food (Zewdie, 2014).
Then there’s the growing pressure of climate change, which we can no longer ignore.
I’ve read about how unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather
events have made farming a risky venture, particularly in Africa where much of the
agriculture is still rain-fed. Jacobsen et al. (2013) argue that one way forward is to focus
on climate-resilient crops. For instance, they mention quinoa, a traditional grain that can
thrive in poor soils and tough conditions making it a potential lifesaver in areas most
affected by climate variability.
However, it’s not just the environment that’s a concern political instability and weak
governance also play a major role. Conflict can destroy supply chains and displace
communities, cutting people off from the food they need. I found Candel’s (2017) work
helpful in understanding that food insecurity is a governance issue too. Without
coherent policies that bring agriculture, trade, environment, and health together,
Assignment 01 Semester 02 2025
Due: Thursday, 28 August 2025, 4:00 PM
185368
, QUESTION 4
Understanding Food Insecurity and the Path Towards Solutions
In many parts of the world, food insecurity continues to cast a long shadow over the
lives of millions. It is not merely a matter of not having enough to eat it reflects a deeper,
more complex web of social, economic, environmental, and political challenges. As a
student of sustainable development, I have come to realise that tackling food insecurity
requires much more than increasing food supply; it requires structural change and an
inclusive, forward-thinking approach.
One of the strongest themes that emerge from the literature is the link between poverty,
inequality, and access to food. People may live near farmlands teeming with crops or
shops stocked with groceries, but if they don’t have the economic means or rights to
access them, food insecurity persists. Candel (2017) stresses that food security is
shaped by more than just agricultural policies it is also about how governance structures
either support or marginalise vulnerable communities. In rural areas especially, small-
scale farmers many of whom are women often lack secure land rights or access to
credit, making it difficult for them to produce or purchase food (Zewdie, 2014).
Then there’s the growing pressure of climate change, which we can no longer ignore.
I’ve read about how unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather
events have made farming a risky venture, particularly in Africa where much of the
agriculture is still rain-fed. Jacobsen et al. (2013) argue that one way forward is to focus
on climate-resilient crops. For instance, they mention quinoa, a traditional grain that can
thrive in poor soils and tough conditions making it a potential lifesaver in areas most
affected by climate variability.
However, it’s not just the environment that’s a concern political instability and weak
governance also play a major role. Conflict can destroy supply chains and displace
communities, cutting people off from the food they need. I found Candel’s (2017) work
helpful in understanding that food insecurity is a governance issue too. Without
coherent policies that bring agriculture, trade, environment, and health together,
