, DVA4804
ASSIGNMENT 4 2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
Critically Analysing the Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity and Their Amelioration
Introduction
Food insecurity—the lack of consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food—remains a
persistent global challenge. Despite international commitments such as Sustainable Development
Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), an estimated 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, with projections
suggesting over 500 million may still experience chronic hunger by 2030 (FAO, 2025). This essay
critically analyses the multifaceted factors contributing to food insecurity and evaluates strategies
for amelioration, arguing that effective responses require integrated approaches addressing
interconnected drivers.
Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity
Conflict and Political Instability
Conflict remains a primary driver of food insecurity, operating through multiple mechanisms:
displacement of farming populations, destruction of agricultural infrastructure, disruption of supply
chains, and the deliberate weaponisation of food (UNHCR, 2025). The IFAD President has warned
that ongoing conflicts and energy market disruptions could push an additional 9 to 18 million
people into hunger by driving up fuel, fertiliser, and food costs (IFAD, 2025). Critically, the evidence
suggests that conflict and climate shocks interact non-linearly—households exposed to both
simultaneously face amplified vulnerability beyond what either factor alone would predict (WFP,
2025).
Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
Climate change increasingly undermines food security through extreme weather events, shifting
rainfall patterns, and temperature extremes. In 2025 alone, weather extremes were the primary
driver of acute food insecurity in 16 countries, affecting 87.5 million people (WFP, 2025).
Smallholder farmers are especially vulnerable, as they lack the resources to adapt through
irrigation, drought-tolerant varieties, or soil conservation practices (IPCC, 2024). The projected El
Niño could push an additional 49 million people into acute food insecurity by 2027 (FAO, 2025).
Governance Failures and Institutional Weaknesses
A critical yet often overlooked factor is governance inefficiency. Research evaluating food security
programmes across sub-Saharan Africa reveals that policy implementation failures, corruption, and
weak institutional capacity frequently undermine otherwise sound interventions (Smith & Jones,
2024). In many contexts, inadequate infrastructure for storage, transportation, and market access
leads to significant post-harvest losses—estimated at 30-40% in developing
countries—exacerbating food scarcity (World Bank, 2024). Furthermore, political instability and
ASSIGNMENT 4 2026
DUE AUGUST 2026
Critically Analysing the Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity and Their Amelioration
Introduction
Food insecurity—the lack of consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food—remains a
persistent global challenge. Despite international commitments such as Sustainable Development
Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), an estimated 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, with projections
suggesting over 500 million may still experience chronic hunger by 2030 (FAO, 2025). This essay
critically analyses the multifaceted factors contributing to food insecurity and evaluates strategies
for amelioration, arguing that effective responses require integrated approaches addressing
interconnected drivers.
Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity
Conflict and Political Instability
Conflict remains a primary driver of food insecurity, operating through multiple mechanisms:
displacement of farming populations, destruction of agricultural infrastructure, disruption of supply
chains, and the deliberate weaponisation of food (UNHCR, 2025). The IFAD President has warned
that ongoing conflicts and energy market disruptions could push an additional 9 to 18 million
people into hunger by driving up fuel, fertiliser, and food costs (IFAD, 2025). Critically, the evidence
suggests that conflict and climate shocks interact non-linearly—households exposed to both
simultaneously face amplified vulnerability beyond what either factor alone would predict (WFP,
2025).
Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
Climate change increasingly undermines food security through extreme weather events, shifting
rainfall patterns, and temperature extremes. In 2025 alone, weather extremes were the primary
driver of acute food insecurity in 16 countries, affecting 87.5 million people (WFP, 2025).
Smallholder farmers are especially vulnerable, as they lack the resources to adapt through
irrigation, drought-tolerant varieties, or soil conservation practices (IPCC, 2024). The projected El
Niño could push an additional 49 million people into acute food insecurity by 2027 (FAO, 2025).
Governance Failures and Institutional Weaknesses
A critical yet often overlooked factor is governance inefficiency. Research evaluating food security
programmes across sub-Saharan Africa reveals that policy implementation failures, corruption, and
weak institutional capacity frequently undermine otherwise sound interventions (Smith & Jones,
2024). In many contexts, inadequate infrastructure for storage, transportation, and market access
leads to significant post-harvest losses—estimated at 30-40% in developing
countries—exacerbating food scarcity (World Bank, 2024). Furthermore, political instability and
