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The agri-food sector is pressured to produce more livestock products with fewer resources due to global drivers like rapid population growth and challenging climate changes. Food insecurity can lead to hunger, malnutrition, and famine over time. Recently, half of Afghanistan’s population has been food insecure due to COVID-19 and climate change, as...
Citations
Food security and safety constitute essential components for the welfare and survival of any sovereign nation. In
Afghanistan, food security and safety status remain a pressing concern. Recently, out of 43.4 million population,
approximately 14.8 million individuals are experiencing acute food insecurity, with one in three Afghans uncertain
about the source of their next meal. Over one-third of the Afghan populace is enduring hunger, which
includes more than three million individuals confronting emergency levels of food insecurity. The prevalence of
malnutrition is particularly acute within the pediatric population, where around 3.5 million children below the
age of five are classified as stunted due to enduring malnourishment. The inadequacy of the healthcare infrastructure
and the scarcity of potable water further contribute to the incidence of foodborne diseases. Overall,
climatic perturbations, economic stagnation, elevated food prices, unemployment, and displacement constitute
the principal factors contributing to food insecurity in Afghanistan. To enhance food security and safety, proposed
interventions include strengthening agricultural infrastructure, augmenting farmers’ access to credit,
advocating for climate-resilient farming practices, and bolstering nutritional and food safety standards. By systematically
addressing these challenges, Afghanistan has the potential to enhance the well-being of its populace
and foster sustainable development. This paper seeks to elucidate the current landscape of food security and
safety in Afghanistan. The analysis will concentrate on discerning the factors contributing to food insecurity, the
specific challenges faced by the country, and the initiatives implemented to ameliorate food security. Furthermore,
a thorough examination of food safety issues will be conducted, investigating the potential repercussions
and the strategies employed to mitigate them.
