A member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, Lord Paul Yaw Boateng says some 309 million people are experiencing severe food insecurity.
According to him, inadequate food storage is a significant issue affecting many countries.
"The latest figures from the World Food Program suggest that as many as 309 million people are facing acute levels of insecurity for all domestic food. Price inflation remains stubbornly high, there is no country in the world that has not experienced domestic food price inflation."
He said this at the 2024 Annual Leadership Lecture at the UPSA auditorium in Accra.
Food insecurity is a major problem, stemming from inefficient food systems. Farmers face numerous challenges including; climate change, low prices, poor road infrastructure, lack of access to finance, inadequate markets, post-harvest losses, insufficient education and knowledge, unsustainable farming practices, and rural-urban migration.
He emphasised that both low and middle-income countries widely experience these issues.
Lord Boateng cited higher energy costs, trade restrictions, and the loss of fertiliser supplies from the Russian Federation and Belarus as factors that caused fertiliser prices to rise even faster than food prices.
"Ask any farmer, and they will tell you this is their experience," he added.
He also noted that the geopolitical situation has heightened tensions between competing factions.
For him, conflict in the Middle East, insurgencies in the Sahel, and their impact on livelihoods are compounded by the fundamental effects of climate change on the agricultural sector and high-risk communities worldwide.
Latest Stories
-
SWAG congratulates Muftawu Nabila Abdulai for winning GJA Sports Journalist of the Year 2024
1 hour -
Joy Sports’ Muftawu Nabila Abdulai named 2024 GJA Sports Journalist of the Year
2 hours -
JoyNews’ PM Express wins Best TV Programme (English) at 28th GJA Media Awards
2 hours -
Joy SMS wins Best Radio Programme (English) at 28th GJA Media Awards
2 hours -
Dr Neta Kris Abiana Parsram wins Best Feature (Online) at 28th GJA Media Awards
3 hours -
Find ways of resolving concerns of striking university unions – UTAG urges government
5 hours -
Democracy Hub Protest: All protesters had access to legal representation – Tuah Yeboah
6 hours -
Remand of Democracy Hub protesters: ‘Justice is being delivered’ – Deputy AG
6 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Accra Lions beat Nsoatreman 3-1 to secure first win
7 hours -
Election 2024: The only verdict we know is victory – Salam Mustapha charges NPP youth
7 hours -
Electricity tariff goes up by 3.02%, 1.86% for water
8 hours -
Late goals see Arsenal survive Leicester City scare
8 hours -
Cole Palmer scores 4 as Chelsea come from behind to beat Brighton
9 hours -
Soucek scores to salvage point for West Ham against Brentford
9 hours -
At least 45 dead as Helene pummels south-east US
9 hours