Food security: A pillar of stability amid global challenges

Observer

3 days ago

The Sultanate of Oman has witnessed significant improvements in several food and nutrition security indicators over the past few years, as highlighted by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources when reviewing this issue at the Second United Nations Food Systems Assessment Summit, held recently in Ethiopia.
Like other countries, Oman is working to develop strategies to enhance local food production, diversify supply chains, ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, and combat malnutrition.
These strategies include several aspects, including the development of a national strategy for food security, adaptation and mitigation of climate change, an environment and natural resources strategy, and a strategy for genetic diversity of local animals.
Oman currently ranks high in the Food Security Index, ranking third in the Arab world and thirty-fifth globally in this index for 2022. This places it ahead of many Arab countries in this regard, along with its ongoing efforts to protect the environment, promote sustainability, reduce pollution, and efficiently manage natural resources.
The state is also committed to improving the quality of life by offering products free of negative effects, promoting health prevention, and raising public health indicators.
This is in addition to its great interest in water resources and their daily uses.
The importance of food security for Oman and Arab countries lies in its role as one of the fundamental pillars for achieving economic, social, and political stability in light of global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical crises, and fluctuations in global food prices.
Achieving food security contributes to reducing social and political tensions resulting from food scarcity or rising prices.
It also achieves sustainable development, as providing food contributes to improving population health and increasing productivity, which is reflected in economic growth.
It also reduces heavy reliance on food imports, especially when countries are exposed to external shocks, thereby supporting national security, especially during times of crisis or war.
We are well aware that agriculture and achieving food security require the provision of natural resources, such as fresh water, which is one of the obstacles in the region, limiting agricultural expansion.
This drives the region to a heavy reliance on imports, with more than 80-90% of food imported in many Arab countries, exposing them to global market risks.
Today, this requires reduced investment in agricultural technology and a reliance on modern technologies such as smart agriculture, along with drip irrigation and vertical farming.
This is in addition to providing integrated local supply chains for storage, transportation, and distribution infrastructure, so that the lack of savings in these methods does not lead to significant losses in agricultural production.
Other challenges today include creating sustainable development policies for the agricultural sector, long-term strategic planning, and addressing issues affected by climate change.
All countries in the region are working to enhance food security by developing local agriculture and supporting farmers, improving productivity, providing loans and technologies, expanding modern agriculture, recycling water, and building strategic food reserves by encouraging investment in food security and supporting cooperation between government institutions, the private sector, and international partnerships.
These countries have made significant strides in enhancing food security in recent years, but challenges remain, especially in light of scarce natural resources and reliance on imports. Finally, working to provide food and investing in this field enhances the capabilities of agricultural communities and provides job opportunities for many national cadres.