Written by: Alishba Khursheed
Edited by: Thomas Lusa
Designed by: Serena Sclippa
Published by: Rayna Almas
The 2007-2008 Food Crisis was eye-opening for politicians all across the globe. World food prices increased dramatically, and it caused political and economic instability. Politicians began to wonder: How would we be able to survive this if it happened a second time, considering all the turmoil from the first? The solution: being food self-sufficient.
Now, the exact definition of a country that is self-sufficient in terms of its food systems is unclear. However, if we look at it from a more broad perspective, it’s easier to conceptualize. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, it’s defined as “the extent to which a country can satisfy its food needs from its own domestic production”. With this definition, in order to be a self-sufficient nation, countries should aim to produce as much food on their own land as their citizens will consume. It is the domestic capacity to produce food in sufficient quantities.
Food self-sufficiency used to be a common national policy objective. Being a food-self-sufficient country provided the advantages of conserving foreign money to procure other products that could not be produced locally, as well as protecting countries from the unexpected events of international trade and unpredictable changes in agricultural material prices. It also ensured that there was always enough food available to satisfy those who lived there.
Now, we know that this solution is not 100% foolproof and it does have its drawbacks. For instance, any natural disaster such as a drought or a flood could heavily impact a nation’s ability to farm, therefore leaving their citizens with less food. Because of these unpredictable events, nations must always rely on either food aid or food imports to an extent. The price for food self-sufficiency is also not to be overlooked, particularly in arid countries, where it’s easier to buy food imports than spend a good chunk of resources on plants that cannot be sustained due to the climate.
Furthermore, simply because of varying climates, land, and population size, it would not be possible for a single country to procure the same amount and variety of food that we have now. Food imports and exports are great for not only the economy but for the citizens as well.
Now that you know the drawbacks, it’s evident that food self-sufficiency is not something that will work for all of us, 100% of the time. However, it’s something that countries should still aim to accomplish because it provides protection against global crises that may disrupt imports and it reduces dependency on global supply chains. The more a country is able to sustain itself in terms of food systems, the better it will do in times of global economic and agricultural uncertainty.
Another crucial thing to note is that food self-sufficiency is not to be confused with food security. Food self-sufficiency does not guarantee food security, and it is more under the umbrella of food security. While food self-sufficiency focuses on the supply of food, food security focuses more so on the access to food for everyone, including food aid, affordability, production & distribution, as well as consumption information systems. So when we look at some of the most food-self-sufficient countries, the list may not align with the most food-secure countries, though both of these things are paramount for a successful country in terms of its food systems.
With that out of the way, let’s finally take a look at 3 of the most food-self-sufficient countries and what other countries can learn from them. This is based on the list compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2010.
- Argentina
Argentina is a major exporter of soybeans and corn. The main reason why Argentina is successful in their food systems is because they use their land effectively. In fact, their agriculture and food sectors account for 54% of their land use! Argentina is also the world’s third largest food exporter, so it can feed its population as well as improve its economy through trade.
Argentina has a very large number of farms: 334,000. Three-quarters of those farms are family-owned and provide about half of the locally-consumed food, while at the same time contributing to about a third of the country’s export revenue! Though they only occupy 18% of cultivated land, they produce 27% of total agricultural output. Argentina is now looking to support those family farms as much as they can so they can continue to help Argentina’s economy and citizens for future generations.
This country has also been very lucky with its land, The Pampas. The soil there is very fertile which makes it perfect for growing crops. Since this isn’t the case everywhere in the world, it emphasizes the importance of caring for our soil and implementing healthy farming practices prioritizing soil health. Maximizing the effectiveness of the land is key to a country that may not be privileged with land as fertile as the Pampas.
Argentina is also best in this regard because of its investment in innovation. Argentina has a no-till farming system, meaning farmers plant crops directly into existing soil, without turning the soil over (which has been a common practice in farming to prepare soil for planting) so that it minimizes soil disturbance. The no-till farming objective has not only reduced greenhouse gas emissions but has also led to reduced soil erosion, increased organic matter content, and potentially higher crop yields. Direct sowing now covers about 90% of areas cultivated with grains.
They have also incorporated many more sustainable farming practices, one being cover crops. These are plants grown to protect the soil rather than for harvest. It’s a natural way to help with erosion control, weed suppression, and improve soil quality. Another incredible practice is crop rotation, which is the practice of growing different crops in the same area over multiple growing seasons. Again, this improves soil health, helps with pest management, and increases yields in comparison with monoculture (cultivating a single crop in the same area).
- Uruguay
Uruguay is one of the biggest exporters of grains, beef, and soybeans. Despite being such a small country, it’s made its mark as one of the most self-sufficient in terms of its food systems, and there’s a lot we can learn from it. While they, similar to Argentina, are fortunate to have flat and fertile farmland, they have also incorporated many sustainable and efficient practices into their strategy.
Like Argentina, Uruguay implements frequent crop rotations. Gert Jan Mulder, a Dutch farmer who encourages farmers to come to Uruguay for better opportunities says: “The only thing that has been restricted in recent years is that you have to rotate your crops to keep the soil quality right…To grow crops, you have to submit a plan where you have to observe certain parameters. Other than that, you are just free to do business in Uruguay.” It is a relatively easygoing environment for farmers with few restrictions. Those restrictions just being certain policies to keep the soil and animals healthy. Uruguay’s government actually uses satellite imagery to identify areas with a higher risk for erosion and then contact the producer responsible for that area to ensure they are using healthy farming practices.
Uruguay also has the most cows per inhabitant than any other country. In fact, it’s about 4x the size of the human population there! Most importantly though, they are free from hormones and antibiotics! This is important because it helps mitigate the risk of antibiotic resistance in humans and other health impacts, as well as promoting animal welfare. Many countries choose to ignore this because it’s a lot easier and more profitable to inject cattle with hormones and antibiotics, but if Uruguay can still be the 2nd most food-self-sufficient country with this law, certainly other countries can find a way.
We can also learn from Uruguay through their use of biotechnologies in their farming. They are using genome sequencing to access genetic information of certain crops and then figure out what needs to be improved or transferred. For example, they would look at the genomes of the longest rice grains, and then by knowing the variants, they’re able to enhance the development of those characteristics. This technology is also being used in barley, wheat, and soybeans to shorten improvement times.
Uruguay is a major exporter of dairy products as well, exporting around 70% of total production. They have significantly improved the hygienic quality with the incorporation of cold tanks, mandatory pasteurization at the industrial level, as well as controlling antibiotics, heavy metals, and pesticides. Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that eliminates harmful bacteria and extends shelf life. The risk of contaminants such as salmonella and E. Coli are significantly reduced. Cold tanks help maintain optimal temperatures and prevent bacterial growth.
Uruguay has taken into account both safety and modernism in its food systems, which makes it a top competitor for the most food-self-sufficient countries in the world.
- Australia
Australia is a leader in food self-sufficiency thanks to many different strategies. These strategies enable the country to export 71% of agricultural production while keeping its citizens fed. Interestingly enough, only 11% of Australia’s food is imported, and this is only to give its citizens more variety.
One smart strategy is that Australia bases its exports on domestic consumption. Even in years of severe drought, they produce more than enough food required for its inhabitants. Essentially, Australia’s agricultural exports serve to mitigate unexpected events. So, during lower production years, instead of reducing food supply, exports decrease while consumption remains around the same. Australia prioritizes its own food needs first, then exports the surplus. This makes it a not only food-self-sufficient country but also one that is food secure.
However, Australia’s farming practices have not always been very sustainable. The good news is that they have been working harder than ever to implement the best solutions to issues in farming while being mindful of the environmental impact. For example, Australia is using satellites to monitor crop and pasture health, providing data that, when combined with ground observations, will guide farmers’ decisions. Studying genetics allows farmers to predict how crops and animals will perform under different conditions. Breeders will use that to develop more efficient and sustainable varieties. Furthermore, Australian farmers use computer models to assess soil, crop, and system health. They then take that data to help in the decision-making process as well as resource allocation. It’s amazing how far agricultural technology has come!
Australia’s use of technology in farming doesn’t stop there: 72% of Australian farmers currently use AgTech, which are cutting-edge tools for farmers. It helps farmers become more data-driven by incorporating remote sensors and drones into the mix, which monitor plant health, soil conditions, and temperature around the clock. This technology is coupled with other AI tools and helps farmers drastically with their day-to-day workload.
Smart drones are equipped with special imaging technology and can detect crop stress caused by pests, diseases, or drought, notifying farmers early. Additionally, field soil sensors have become critical in agriculture. They offer real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and more. When paired with irrigation systems, they help deliver water only where and when it’s needed—boosting not only efficiency and crop productivity but also offering a sustainable route and being conscious of water use.
All in all, these 3 countries are leaders in food self-sufficiency for good reason, and there’s a lot to be learned if we take the time to analyze their food systems and weigh the pros. However, it’s important to note that the food systems in these countries are not flawless. Yes, they are some of the most efficient, but that doesn’t come without problems. Argentina releases a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions, Uruguay is still heavily reliant on imports as its source of energy, and food waste is a big issue in Australia. These countries do have their strengths, but they also come with a wide range of problems that should also be dealt with.
Earth is far from a planet where each and every country is entirely self-sufficient in terms of their food systems. It’s evident that we still have to work together, and this will probably still be the case for many more lifetimes. Ultimately, the goal isn’t complete independence from food imports, but rather a balanced approach that prioritizes local food production while maintaining those necessary trade partnerships that give us variety and help the economy.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%E2%80%932008_world_food_price_crisis
https://www.fao.org/4/y3918e/y3918e04.htm
https://www.resilience.org/stories/2018-03-13/food-self-sufficiency-does-it-make-sense/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_food_self-sufficiency_rate
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