Famine – Causes, Effects and Remedies

Introduction

Famine represents one of the most severe forms of food insecurity, leading to widespread hunger, malnutrition, and death. It occurs when a significant portion of a population lacks access to sufficient food, resulting in catastrophic consequences. Understanding famine, its causes, effects, and potential remedies, is crucial in preventing and managing such crises. This article explores famine in detail, providing insights into its definitions, causes, impacts, and the steps that can be taken to address it.

Definition of Famine

The Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) System defines five levels of food security:

• Phase 1: Generally food secure
• Phase 2: Moderately/borderline food insecure
• Phase 3: Acute food and livelihood crisis
• Phase 4: Humanitarian emergency
• Phase 5: Famine/humanitarian catastrophe

United Nations Definition

According to the United Nations, famine is declared when:

• At least 20% of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope.
• The prevalence of acute malnutrition in children exceeds 30%.
• The death rate exceeds 2 persons per 10,000 persons per day.
• 1/3 of children are acutely malnourished, and 4 out of every 10,000 children die each day.

Malthusian Perspective

Thomas Robert Malthus, an English political economist, viewed famine as a “positive check” on population growth. He argued that in the absence of preventive measures to control birth rates, famine acts as a natural way to balance the population with available food resources.

Causes of Famine

1. Economic Causes

Direct Causes

• Income and Poverty Trap: Low-income levels prevent people from accessing sufficient food.
• Land Insecurity: Lack of secure land rights limits food production.
• Availability of Food at the Local Level: Poor distribution and accessibility can cause shortages.
• National Imported Production: Reliance on imported food can lead to scarcity if imports are disrupted.
• Infrastructure (Road, Rail, Water): Inadequate infrastructure limits the distribution of food.
• Food Hoarding: Hoarding by traders can create artificial shortages.
• Lack of Government Spending on Agriculture: Insufficient investment leads to poor irrigation infrastructure and lower productivity.

Root Causes

• Trade Wars and Restrictions: Disruptions in trade can cause food shortages.
• Debt Repayments: Countries with heavy debt obligations may struggle to finance food imports.

2. Social Causes

Direct Causes

• Population Growth: More mouths to feed increase the strain on food resources.
• Poor Health and Reduced Labor: Illness and poor health reduce agricultural productivity.
• Conflict and Wars: Wars disrupt food production and distribution.
• Deliberate Food Restrictions: Intentional withholding of food can occur during conflicts.
• Urban Sprawl: Expansion of urban areas reduces agricultural land.
• Gender Discrimination: Discriminatory practices limit women’s access to food and resources.

Root Causes

• War and Corruption: Political instability and corruption hinder food distribution.
• Refugees and Displacement: Displaced populations face food insecurity.
• Changing Food Tastes: As populations grow wealthier, dietary changes can shift demand away from staple foods.

3. Environmental Causes

Direct Causes

• Natural Disasters:
  • Droughts: Severe rainfall shortages lead to reduced crop yields and famine.
  • Floods: Excessive water damages crops and reduces food supply.
  • Desertification: Land degradation reduces arable land.
  • Pest Attacks: Infestations destroy crops.
  • Harsh Environmental Conditions: Extreme weather events disrupt agriculture.
• Land Degradation:
  • Loss of soil fertility due to nutrient depletion.
  • Reduced vegetation cover and changes in soil characteristics.

Root Causes

• Pollution: Water pollution from contaminated soil affects crop growth.
• Climate Change: Unpredictable weather patterns lead to inconsistent harvests and crop failures.
  • Example: The Great Famine of the 1840s.

Effects of Famine

1. Non-Demographic Effects

• Low Morale and Distress: People experience hopelessness and anxiety.
• Increase in Prices: Scarcity drives up food prices.
• Sale of Property: People sell assets to buy food.
• Scarcity of Fodder: Shortage of animal feed leads to livestock deaths.
• Social Stress and Crimes: Increased crime rates due to desperation.
• Spread of Diseases: Malnutrition weakens immunity, leading to disease outbreaks.
• Delays in Providing Aid: Difficulty in reaching affected areas.
• Environmental Destruction: Overuse of resources during a famine harms the environment.
• Growth of Fatalism: Increased reliance on religion and fate.

2. Demographic Effects

• Change in Sex Ratio: More males may survive due to gender-based discrimination in food allocation.
• Separation of Couples: Migration for work or food leads to family separations.
• Undernutrition: Widespread malnutrition affects all age groups.
• Mortality:
  • Increase during famine.
  • Fall in death rates after the famine as survivors adjust.
• Emergence of High Primary Age Adults: Young and elderly are more affected, leading to a new, younger labor force.
• Increased Deaths of Humans and Animals: Loss of life due to starvation.
• Migration: Both internal and external migration as people seek food and work.

Remedies to Famine

1. Agricultural Solutions

• Drip Irrigation and Technological Advancements: Improve water efficiency and crop yields.
• Increasing Food Production: Use modern farming techniques to boost output.
• Pest-Resistant Varieties: Develop crops that can withstand pest attacks.
• Preventive Checks on Natural Disasters: Implement strategies to mitigate droughts and floods.

2. Education and Awareness

• Better Crop and Soil Management: Train farmers in sustainable farming practices.
• Gender Discrimination: Promote equal access to resources and food.

3. Financial and Structural Support

• Donations to Poor Areas: Provide aid to regions suffering from famine.
• Redistribution of Wealth: Ensure a fair distribution of resources.
• Corporate Incentives to Create Jobs: Encourage companies to invest in rural areas.

4. Waste Reduction

• Reduce Consumption and Waste: Encourage efficient use of food and resources.
• Avoid Delivery Services: Reduce food wastage in supply chains.

5. Government Policies

• Implement policies to ensure adequate food and nutrition for all citizens.
• Promote international cooperation for famine relief.

Conclusion

Famine is a complex issue requiring coordinated efforts at the policy, societal, and individual levels. Addressing its causes and implementing preventive measures can help mitigate the devastating effects of famine and ensure food security for future generations.

1. How do economic and environmental factors together contribute to the occurrence of famines in modern societies? (250 words)
2. What role can government policies and international cooperation play in preventing and mitigating famines? (250 words)
3. Discuss the impact of gender discrimination on food security and how it contributes to famine situations. (250 words)