7.5.1: Factors affecting food security
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Food security: having enough food to feed a population.
Biological factors affect levels of food security.
The increasing birth rate has threatened food security in some countries.
Changing diets in developed countries means scarce food resources are transported around the world.
New pests and pathogens affect farming.
Environmental changes affect food production, such as widespread famine occurring in some countries if rains fail.
The cost of agricultural inputs can threaten food security.
Conflicts in some parts of the world affect the availability of water or food.
Sustainable methods must be found to feed all people on Earth.
Common exam mistakes
Do not make food security only about population growth; use the named factor in the question, such as pests, pathogens, changing diets, input costs, conflict or failed rains.
Changing diets can affect food security because scarce food resources are transported around the world or used to produce meat.
If using data, compare population demand with food supply rather than describing one line on a graph.
Sustainable methods must feed people now without damaging future food production.