Food Security: What it Means and What We Can Do

19/05/2025 37 min Temporada 1 Episodio 7
Food Security: What it Means and What We Can Do

Listen "Food Security: What it Means and What We Can Do"

Episode Synopsis

Dr. Cliff Riley, breaks down the complex nature of food security and its critical importance to Jamaica's economy and future.• Food security encompasses three essential components: access, availability, and quality of food• Jamaica imports over $1 billion worth of food annually, including many staples of the Jamaican diet• Climate change significantly impacts food security through unpredictable weather patterns and rising temperatures• Countries should ideally produce 60-70% of what their population consumes to maintain food security• Food waste is a major issue in Jamaica with 80% of mangoes and 50% of tomatoes being dumped during peak seasons• Policy frameworks are critical for creating sustainable food systems and supporting agricultural investment• Water catchment systems represent a significant opportunity to improve agricultural resilience• Individual actions like backyard gardening and choosing local products contribute meaningfully to food security• Training and education in agricultural practices are essential for building technical capacity• Value-added processing could transform wasted produce into year-round available productsVisit the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), International Trade Centre, or World Health Organization websites for more information on food security initiatives.