1 – Put the furthest behind first
821 million people are hungry in the world, and this number is growing. There are several reasons for it, and one of the is inequality. To overcome hunger, we need to reach out to the most vulnerable people, those who most need assistance. We need to protect the poorest people and create conditions for them to thrive. Inclusive development is good for everyone, and for our countries’ economies.
2 – Pave the road from farm to market
We all need nutritious, affordable food. To make sure all 7 billion people can eat well we need efficient supply chains. Farmers, especially smallholders, need access to markets to sell their produce. 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 waste one third of it. Along with food, we also throw away the water, soil, energy, and workforce we use to produce it. This generates a loss of 750 billion dollars every year. We need to reduce food waste from production to final consumption. It’s not fair to have people starving while we throw food away.
4 – Encourage a sustainable variety of crops
Around the world, four crops account for 60% of all the calories we consume: rice, wheat, corn, and soy. To overcome the challenges of ensuring nutritious food for all and adapting to climate change, we need greater diversity in food production. We must work with farmers to ensure they have access to knowledge, skills, and tools. We must also work with consumers to inform them about the nutritional importance of a diversified diet.
5 – Make nutrition a priority, starting with a child’s first 1000 days
Eating well is important at all stages of life, and nothing is more determinant for a child’s development than good health and nutrition. It starts already in the mother’s belly. That is why we say that the first thousand days of a child’s life, from the beginning of pregnancy to two years of age, are crucial to the full and healthy development of these boys and girls.
You can help too.
Make a donation to the World Food Programme.
