The first in a series of events focusing on assessing the progress of Latin America and the Caribbean in combating hunger and malnutrition was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for the region. This analysis was based on findings from the State of Food and Nutrition Security in the World (SOFI 2024) report.
The SOFI 2024 report, unveiled during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in July, highlighted that the percentage of hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean increased from 5.6% in 2019 to 6.9% in 2021. However, there was a gradual decline, with the figure dropping to 6.2% in 2023, resulting in 4.3 million individuals no longer experiencing hunger, primarily due to progress in South America.
Brazil stands out as one of the nations where governmental policies have had a positive impact on reducing hunger and food insecurity. At a Master Conference hosted by the FAO regional office, attended by over 400 participants both in person and virtually, Minister Wellington Dias, responsible for Development, Social Assistance, Family, and the Fight against Hunger, shared some of the initiatives implemented by the Brazilian government in the battle against hunger.
Namely, the Brazilian government has established a unified social database that enables a comprehensive assessment of the various dimensions of poverty impacting a household. By utilizing this database, tailored financial aid can be provided to address the specific needs of each family. The allocation of resources is geared towards ensuring access to essential items such as food and other necessities.
This financial support not only benefits the recipient family but also contributes to the economic well-being of the community in which they reside. The Minister highlighted that this form of assistance is complemented by the Safra, or Harvest Plan, which is designed to address issues of hunger and food insecurity. Through this plan, collaboration with small-scale farmers is fostered to boost agricultural production. Subsequently, the government can purchase a portion of the harvest to distribute to those in need.
“Lifting someone out of hunger and poverty is a one-time investment. After that, it is very difficult for the next generations to go back. So it’s a worthwhile investment,” said the Brazilian Minister.
Meantime, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin, underscored that “hunger and food insecurity are not simply issues of food scarcity; they reflect structural inequalities and systemic failures that affect human dignity and social justice throughout the world and also in the region”.
“Having the opportunity to reflect on these experiences forces us to recognize that hunger is a reality that can be addressed with responsibility, determination, and collective work and to ensure that all people, regardless of their geographic location, gender, or economic status, have access to sufficient and nutritious food,” added Lubetkin.
Dominica is able to feed the majority of the eastern Caribbean, but that really not our focus. White elephants called resorts and hotels is the priority. You all saw what COVID did the tourism for 2 years straight right? Instead our smart leaders focus on agriculture, agro processing and manufacturing they chasing the most fickle industry. Latin America has doubled down in agriculture and agrorprocessing and making significant impact. DR is one of the top exporters in the Caribbean as they focus heavily of manufacturing. St. Kitts exports high value products as well. But we are nowhere near any of what these other nations are doing. Our leaders have failed up and prefer to keep us in the dark. Bello faThats is how they control us. But is that all you like. if you think i lying, just look at this site:
https://knoema.com/atlas/Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis/High-technology-exports#:~:text=Saint%20Kitts%20and%20Nevis%20high%2Dtechnology%20exports%20was%20at%20level,is%20a%20change%20of%2019…
One of the greatest wastes ignored in developed civilizations is heat.
If heat exchange units were attached where heat is generated e.g Power Stations & Incinerators then vegetables and fruits can be dehydrated cheaply.
The resultant product if produced in a pellet &/or block form it could be stored and moved easily and cost effectively and when required be simply reconstituted as a basis of soups and stews for use in disaster situations.
When & if the the product is surplice to requirements or reaching its used by date it would be suitable feed for livestock.
Too much overproduction and material unaccepted by markets purely on a cosmetic basis is wasted in the existing system.
Come on FAO. We are not all gullible numbskulls. Cost of living, more specifically foodstuff is more expensive than ever before and rising. Unemployment at an unprecedented high. Wages and salaries are stagnant. With these indisputable facts, fewer people are going hungry?
Not only food but cost of electricity, potable water, taxes are eroding the purchasing power of the poor man. The assertion that hunger has decreased in the region is simply spurious. The evidence at hand suggest otherwise.
The facts are hard for you to digest, huh? You just can’t believe that our reality is very different from your fantasy and the depth of your creative imagination, huh? Just don’t toofay. We need you around to see more progress, just so we can watch how well you struggle to accept our reality. So, doh toofay and deprive us of the pleasure of seeing your unease.