Farming and food

A villager in Chukeni, Zambia, where the harvests have been hit by drought [Annie Bungeroth]

Farming provides a living for up to 80 per cent of people in the developing world, and can ensure that food is available at all times to all people

In rich countries, farming tends to be large-scale and heavily subsidised by governments. In poorer countries the reverse is true, making it hard for small-scale farmers to compete on the world market.

But all people, wherever they live, have an interest in the production of safe food in adequate quantities to feed themselves, in a manner that does not harm the land or the environment - called sustainable agriculture.

Food security

Sustainable farming methods can also improve countries' food security because food is available at all times, people can get access to it, and that the quantity, quality and variety provide good nutrition.

This security can be threatened by famine, which occurs when crops and food supplies are destroyed by droughts, floods, torrential rains, cold, hurricanes, pests and plant diseases.

But famine can also be caused by conflict which may lead to the destruction of crops, or the roads and markets through which they are transported and sold.

High prices because of food shortages means poor communities cannot buy enough food to feed themselves if their own crops fail, whereas wealthier people in the same country have better access to the available food.

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