Mismanagement of food resources

Nature

Much of the starvation and malnutrition prevalent today is not due to problems of food production, but rather international food disorder rooted in the mismanagement of food resources. Many countries in the South produce foods which are insufficient in providing their peoples with a balanced diet, thus they are dependent upon the markets of wealthier nations. Agricultural infrastructure, research and finance are aimed at improving the production of export crops rather than at producing foods to be consumed by the countries' peoples; concurrent with this is the forced reduction of crops in industrialized countries, which elevates food prices.

Incidence

Mismanagement of food resources is a pervasive issue affecting millions globally, with approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption—around 1.3 billion tons—wasted each year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This waste occurs at various stages of the food supply chain, from production to consumption, and is particularly pronounced in developed countries, where consumer behavior contributes significantly to food loss. Geographically, regions with high levels of food waste include North America and Europe, while developing nations often face challenges related to inadequate infrastructure and storage facilities.
A notable instance of food resource mismanagement occurred in 2020 in the United States, where the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, leading to the disposal of millions of gallons of milk and the culling of livestock. Dairy farmers reported dumping approximately 3.7 million gallons of milk daily due to a sudden drop in demand from restaurants and schools, highlighting the fragility of food systems and the consequences of mismanagement during crises.

Claim

Food is often used in international affairs as a political weapon. This bargaining, interfering and manipulating is counter to the fundamental and basic human right of all people to have adequate food. Every national also has the right to self-determination and self-reliance, and under no circumstances should food supplies - and food disorder - be used to control or limit that right.

Counter-claim

The notion that mismanagement of food resources is a significant problem is exaggerated. In a world where abundance often overshadows scarcity, the focus should shift to innovation and consumption rather than lamenting waste. People are more concerned with convenience and choice than with the intricacies of food management. Instead of fixating on mismanagement, we should celebrate the vast availability of food and encourage individual responsibility in consumption, rather than overemphasizing a non-issue.