Taylor Kirk

Period 2

31 May 2018

Meat Insecurity

Food insecurity is an issue for not only developing countries but for developed countries

as well (Wallace, 2017).The richer countries consume more while the poorer countries suffer

from illnesses like “hidden” hunger. Even in areas of food such as meat, the insecurity has

affected many and more who cannot get a hold of the produce. Why is this specific type of food

insecurity so significant? Well, everyone deserves the right to eat healthily and meat insecurity

can contribute to other food insecurity such as the agriculture used for livestock (Dibb, 2014).

Due to many causes of meat insecurity such as poverty, the green revolution, consumerism, and

etc., it affects people all over the world with challenges such as micronutrient deficiency,

obesity, and more. Gradually, we have changed the statistics but there is still more action to be

ceased.

After the Industrial Revolution, then came the Green Revolution in which changed the

way we produce and maintain agriculture. During the Green Revolution, the power of

technology contributed to the intensive crop-yield and also increased the frequency and quantity

of meat production. Due to more production, more consumership came with it. Those who could

afford this--wealthier countries--consume large amounts simply because they can but those

poorer nations are unfortunate. Connectedly, as the prices rise, the levels and difficulties of

poverty in our world are highlighted through the meat they cannot buy. Another cause of meat

insecurity entails the insurance of farmers. In the U.S., 91% of farmers have insurance to cover

losses in extreme weather, only 15% of farmers in India, 10% of farmers in China, and 1% of
farmers in Malawi and other poor countries have insurance (Seenarine, 2018). Because majority

of farmers do not have insurance, food is more difficult to acquire because it is not covered by

extreme weather which can often be worrisome due to climate change and its vast changes (Food

Security and Food Justice, 2017). As we try to produce more meat, we increase the production of

crops like grain which instead of being used to feed people all over the world, it is being used for

livestock to be shipped out and consumed by rich nations. This furthers food insecurity in

another aspect other than meat.

As a result of all the causes of meat insecurity, many suffer all over the world from

illnesses like micronutrient deficiency or “hidden” hunger due to lack of nutrients in an

unbalanced diet (The Conversation, 2015). When lacking the nutrients lean meat can provide you

with and constantly not replacing it because of an unbalanced diet, it is can be very risky to the

“mental and physical development of children and reduces the productivity and work capacity of

adults” (The Conversation, 2015). In the developed world, with the heavy production and

consumerism of meat, food security will be threatened more regularly (Mayes, 2015) and also

contribute to the widespread of obesity (Dodge, 2013). As farmers continue without insurance

and demands increase, land prices increase and these farmers begin to lose land and their

livelihoods (Food Ethics 2014). Though, only one part of the world could benefit—the rich—

both rich and poor suffer from troubles of meat insecurity. Fortunately, the problem has been

identified and solutions are being worked on.

In South Africa, chicken consumption has increased as a short-term solution to food

insecurity (The Conversation, 2015 ). Chicken is easier, cheaper, and healthier to produce than

other meat. Also to ensure food security, we have to “mitigate climate change” which is one of

the best ways to reduce meat insecurity (Food Security and Food Justice, 2017). Practicing
sustainability is also a great way to mitigate meat consumption but also reduce the impact of

climate change. Specifically, reducing food waste in places like China, India, and the U.S yields

food for at least 400 million people (Seenarine, 2018). In order for these transitions to take place

we, of course, need to capture the mindsets of “politicians, business leaders, the general public,

food companies, and farmers” (Food Ethics Council, 2014).

In conclusion, people all over the world are suffering from food insecurity whether they

are rich or poor. Unfortunately, poorer and developing nations are receiving harsher

consequences from the effects of meat insecurity. Due to high consumption, poverty, and other

factors, food insecurity is a lingering issue in the world. On a brighter note, in the past decades

we have reduced food insecurity which have lowered the number of undernourished people from

18.7% to 11.3% (The conversation, 2015). People are beginning to take notice to these types of

issues which has reluctantly reduced significant factors in food insecurity and as time goes by, it

is believable that we can take a lot more action to feed a larger majority.
 Works Cited

Muchenje, Voster, et al. “Why Meat Is Important in the Global Battle against Food Insecurity.” The

Conversation, The Conversation, 31 May 2018, theconversation.com/why-meat-is-important-in-the-

global-battle-against-food-insecurity-49176.

Harvey, Fiona. “Eat Less Meat for Greater Food Security, British Population Urged.” The Guardian,

Guardian News and Media, 4 June 2013, www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jun/04/eat-less-

meat-food-security.

“Impact of Reduced Meat Consumption for Global Food Security.” Impact of Reduced Meat

Consumption for Global Food Security | Food Climate Research Network (FCRN),

fcrn.org.uk/forums/general-discussion-25.

phys.org/news/2015-03-hunger-meat-food-edge.html+\.

“Reduced Meat Consumption: the Solution to Food Security and Climate Change?” Food Security

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the-solution-to-food-security-and-climate-change/.

Wallace, Jennifer. “Opinion: Root Cause of Food Insecurity.” Burlington Free Press, Burlington Free

Press, 15 June 2017, www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/opinion/my-turn/2017/06/15/opinion-root-

cause-food-insecurity/102786590/.
“XPYRPRESS.COM.” Eating Responsibly: Meat Causes Food Insecurity, 12 Jan. 2018,

www.xpyrpress.com/2018/01/eating-responsibly-meat-causes-food.html.

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