Author: Julieth, Stalbek and colleagues.
Food security remains a critical challenge in many developing countries, particularly in ensuring both availability and access to food. This study analyzes the effectiveness of food security policies in Colombia and Kyrgyzstan between 2000 and 2018 by examining their food balance trade and conducting regression analysis on the Food Production Index using four key economic indicators. The research reveals that despite policy interventions, strategies in both countries have not achieved the intended goals of reducing dependency on food imports or strengthening national production and export capacity.
A closer look at the economic indicators shows that while food inflation, imports, and exports play a role, extreme monetary poverty has the most significant influence on the Food Production Index in both Colombia and Kyrgyzstan. This finding underscores that food access, rather than availability alone, is the defining component that shapes food production in these contexts. In other words, when households lack the financial means to purchase sufficient food, production levels and policy outcomes are deeply affected.
The implications of these results align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger, which emphasizes not only increasing food production but also ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for all. The study highlights the need for Colombia and Kyrgyzstan to integrate food security policies with broader monetary and trade strategies. By addressing poverty reduction alongside agricultural development, both countries can move closer to achieving sustainable food systems and improving resilience against future economic and environmental challenges.
 Read the full article here to explore the detailed findings and their implications for policymakers and practitioners.