1 . Prioritize those most in need
According to the latest report from the United Nations, the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI), between 691 and 783 million people suffer from hunger worldwide, and this number is increasing. There are several explanations for this, and one of them is inequality. To overcome hunger, we need to reach the most vulnerable people, those who need help the most. We need to protect the poorest people in the world and create conditions for them to thrive as well. Inclusive development is good for everyone and for the economy of our countries.
2 . Ensure farmers’ access to the market
We all need to consume nutritious food at a fair price. To ensure that 8 billion people can do this, we need efficient supply chains. Farmers, especially smallholder farmers, need access to markets to sell their products. They also need basic infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, to process, store, and transport the food they produce
3. Reduce food waste
We produce 4 billion tons of food every year, but we throw away one-third of it. With food, we also waste water, soil, energy, and labor that we use to produce it. This results in a loss of $750 billion per year. We need to combat food waste from production to final consumption. It’s not fair to have people going hungry while we throw food away.
4. Encourage diversity in agricultural crops
Around the world, four types of food account for 60% of all the calories we consume: rice, wheat, corn, and soybeans. To address the challenges of ensuring nutritious food for all people and adapting to climate change, we need greater diversity in food production. We must work with farmers to provide them with access to knowledge and skills. And we also must educate consumers about the nutritional importance of a diverse diet.
5. Prioritize nutrition, starting with children
Eating well is important at all stages of life, but nothing is more critical for a child’s development than good health and nutrition. And it starts in the mother’s womb. That’s why we say that the first thousand days of a child’s life, from the beginning of pregnancy until the child is two years old, are crucial for the full and healthy development of these boys and girls.
Get to know the work of the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Centre of Excellence Against Hunger and help change this reality!