Food Security

In Papua New Guinea (PNG), rural communities play a crucial role in shaping the country’s agricultural landscape and food security. To better understand these dynamics, IFPRI conducted a Rural Household Survey between May and December 2023 that aimed to gain a clearer picture of rural livelihood structures, food security status, and nutrition trends. We outlined some initial takeaways in an earlier blog post. Here we explore the results in more detail, finding an array of serious food security challenges.

The 2024 Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) released in April 2024, reported that around 59.8 million or nearly one-third of the analyzed population across five countries in Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) faced acute food insecurity in 2023 due to economic crises, conflict/insecurity, weather extremes and natural disasters. The 2024 Mid-Year Update of the GRFC, released in September, reports an improvement in food security for Afghanistan and Pakistan but further deterioration in Myanmar and Bangladesh.    

Reducing food loss and waste (FLW) is crucial to improving food security, reducing malnutrition, and providing livelihoods for food system workers. But such efforts are also key to combating climate change. FLW has significant environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in both the production of food that is later lost and in waste management.

Recent disruptions in rice production and trade, coupled with adverse weather conditions, have increased global rice prices, impacting food security and economic stability across Asia and the Pacific. Short-term and long-term strategies are needed to ensure a stable, affordable rice supply.

In global food markets, few commodities hold as much significance as rice. It's not just a staple food; it's a lifeline for millions, especially across Asia where it forms up to 70% of daily caloric intake and a significant share of the food price basket in certain economies. 

Asia faces unprecedented food security challenges due to soaring rice prices, climate-induced disasters, and ecosystem degradation. Strategic action is needed to transform food systems for greater resilience and sustainability.

Food security remains a serious challenge in Asia and the Pacific. This region has the highest number of people facing acute food insecurity worldwide.