Food Security under the mercy of coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 drastically reduced the income of many families especially in the Middle East since every day more and more people go under poverty line.

COVID-19 affected majority of the industries, and the profitability and growth of those industries declined too much. There are four industries that are crucial to our survival. They are food and beverage, health, education and technology industry. These four industries cannot be stopped no matter what happens. As they are providing us with the necessity goods that we need to live.

While Food and beverage may be a good sector to work in during this crisis, but It is expected that our country will face difficulties to have enough food to meet the demand. We can say Iraq does not have food safety and security because more than half of the food are import from other countries nearly about 60 percent or more. In addition to the slowdown that available in the world’s supply chain right now as the result of inefficient movements of the products due to COVID-19 prevention policy and its impact. If the situation stays as now and a vaccine will not be found. And, more and more people will be in the quarantine. Demand for food increases worldwide, and they need more food to eat then countries will stop or reduce exporting to other countries even if there would be enough money to buy it. It is expected by mid of May, shortage of veterinary medicine, fertilizers and other required material impact agricultural production in addition to the restriction on the workers behavior that contribute to food production and processing. So, there is a serious threat on the food security in Iraq since food availability, affordability, quality and safety, are disrupted. Consequently, there will not be enough food for all, and the prices go up.

What to do?

Agricultural projects need immediate funded and development to increase local supply. Also, we can stop extra buying and stop wasting food. We must stop buying more than our needs in order to stop increasing the demand and price. The only way to reduce the price is to increase the supply and decrease the demand as much as we can. Hopefully, our country is known for its productive lands, and the best season for food is ahead such as the season for harvesting wheats and reaping summer fruits. Hopefully, by that time fruit and wheat season finished, economy starts to recover, and supply chain starts to work effectively. Under any situation funding and supporting the agricultural projects will contribute to providing food security for our country.