Toushif Hossain, ID: 2014-1-10-021

Business Communication, BUS 231 (Section 8)

FE Report #02, 1 June 2016

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC MIGHT FACE FAMINE IN THE NEAR FUTURE
It is undeniable that hunger still exists in this world. Continues change of various aspects of
hunger and food security also cannot be denied. It has now became very important to stay
ahead of the curve. As the problem is evolving day by day, world needs to take notice of this.
And the precaution is mostly necessary for regions of Asia and the Pacific. 61 percent of total
population of the world habitats in this region. By 2050 the population of this region is
expected to touch the 5.2 billion mark. And it is expected that number of older people would
be greater than number of younger people in Asia. This is also true for the farming
community. Non-farming sector would be more popular than farming sector and as a result it
will become difficult to produce appropriate amount of food for this growing amount of
population.
Asia and the Pacific has seen rapid growth of the urban and middle class population because
of strong economic growth. With the urbanization and rise of middle-income consumers
demand for non-grain produce are also increasing. As a result, by following the simple rule of
profit maximization, prices of non-grain produce are increasing. That is also causing an
increase in the prices of grains as well. Increase of the prices of both grain and non-grain
produce would largely affect the poor.
Grains can be also used for non-food purposes like, producing bio-fuel. With the increasing
demand for energy in this region, bio-fuel is a great option to fulfill the demands. Reports
shows that production of bio-fuel would increase by almost 300 percent by 2035 in this
region. Most of developed countries in the west are trying to meet their increasing demand
for energy with switching towards bio-fuel. So, the trade channel would definitely affect price
hike of food in Asia and the Pacific.
Another factor challenging the dimensions of food security of the region is rapid climate
change. Heat waves, prolonged dry spells, or intense rainfall might cause frequent climate
hazards. The farmers of rural areas of Asia and the Pacific depends largely on rain-fed land.
That means they face massive threats from the disasters mentioned above. Countries in South
and Southeast Asia such as Bangladesh, India, or Vietnam alongside Pacific islands faces
another great problem caused by global warming that is rising sea levels. It is estimated that
sea level would rise by 3-16 cm by 2030, and 7-50 cm by 2070.
Ensuring food security for this region would be a huge challenge in the future. And this
challenge would be a lot different in the nature. We have find new solutions for the upcoming
challenges. Old solutions wont be able to solve the problems that is coming in the future.
The Green Revolution of 1960s saw merging of governments, different agencies, and
science to face the possible widespread famine. To avoid another famine in the near future
Asia and the Pacific needs another similar joint effort.

Source: The Financial Express, 18 May 2016