Case Study 5

Case Study Structure: The World Food Problem
1. Background and Context
 Global Food Security Overview:

o Current statistics on food insecurity (e.g., hunger affecting millions, food waste
issues, the gap between food production and access).
o Major causes of food shortages: climate change, population growth, inequality,
political instability, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
o Role of international organizations (e.g., FAO, World Food Programme) and
governments in addressing food security.
Example:
 By 2050, the world population is expected to reach 9.7 billion, but current food
production systems may not be sustainable enough to meet demand. Regions like Sub-
Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America are particularly vulnerable to food
insecurity due to economic disparity, climate change, and inefficient distribution.
The world faces many food problems, including:

 Food waste
One-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted each year.
 Climate change
Extreme weather events are more frequent and intense due to climate change, and over 80% of
the world's hungry people live in disaster-prone countries.
 Conflict
Conflict is the biggest driver of hunger globally, responsible for 65% of people currently facing
hunger and food insecurity.
 Poverty
People living in poverty often lack the financial resources to buy food or grow their food.
 Unsustainable agricultural practices

Unsustainable food systems contribute to climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss.
 Increased biofuel production

Increased biofuel production has been one of the principal causes of the dramatic rise in food
prices.
 Disparities among income groups

There are stark disparities among income groups, with upper middle-income countries showing
promising improvements.
2. The Case Scenario
 Scenario: A global food crisis is looming as crop yields have been dramatically affected
by climate change and soil degradation. The global food supply chain is also disrupted
due to political conflicts and pandemics, making it difficult for several countries to access
essential food supplies.
 A multinational corporation, AgriWorld, along with government and non-governmental
organizations, is tasked with addressing the growing food insecurity in multiple regions,
including Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.
 Challenge: AgriWorld must balance the need for increased food production with
environmental sustainability and ensure that food is distributed equitably, considering
both immediate relief and long-term agricultural improvements.
3. Key Issues to Address
 Food Production: How can global food production be increased to meet future demand
while minimizing environmental impacts (e.g., deforestation, water use, carbon
emissions)?
 Technology in Agriculture: What role can technology (e.g., precision farming,
genetically modified crops, irrigation techniques) play in boosting production and
efficiency?
 Distribution and Access: How can we improve food distribution to ensure that
vulnerable populations have access to affordable and nutritious food? Consider logistical
challenges in conflict zones and remote areas.
 Policy and Governance: What policies should be implemented by governments and
international bodies to promote sustainable food production and equitable distribution?
How can global trade regulations be modified to help?
 Economic Impact: Analyze how fluctuating food prices affect local economies,
especially in developing countries. What are the economic incentives or disincentives for
farmers to produce certain crops?
 Environmental Sustainability: How can AgriWorld address food production challenges
without contributing to climate change or harming local ecosystems?
4. Questions for Participants
1. Strategic Options: What should AgriWorld prioritize to address food insecurity in the
next 5-10 years? Should they focus on technological solutions, distribution networks, or
public-private partnerships?
2. Sustainability: How can AgriWorld ensure that its efforts to increase food production do
not exacerbate environmental degradation? What are some sustainable practices they
should implement?
3. Collaboration: Which international organizations, governments, or other stakeholders
should AgriWorld partner with to tackle food security? What roles should each play?
4. Long-Term Plan: Develop a long-term (20-year) plan to address the global food
problem, with key milestones. What is the role of education and innovation in this plan?
5. Data and Analysis
 Food Supply and Demand Data: Provide global and regional statistics on food
production, consumption, and waste. Include projections for 2050, taking into account
population growth and resource constraints.
 Environmental Impact Reports: Offer data on land use, deforestation, water use, and
greenhouse gas emissions related to agriculture. Include research on sustainable farming
techniques.
 Economic and Trade Reports: Include information on food prices, subsidies, and trade
barriers that affect global food markets.
6. Presentation and Evaluation
 Presentation of Solutions: Teams present their analysis and solutions to a panel of

experts (role-play as government officials, industry leaders, or NGO representatives).
 Criteria for Evaluation:
o Feasibility of the proposed solutions.
o Innovation and creativity in addressing sustainability and distribution challenges.
o Consideration of short-term vs. long-term impacts.
o Collaboration and partnership strategies.
7. Learning Outcomes
 Participants should gain a deeper understanding of the complex nature of global food
insecurity, balancing humanitarian needs with environmental and economic factors.
 They will develop critical thinking and strategic planning skills in addressing large-scale
global challenges.
 Emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and the role of technology and policy in solving
real-world problems.

Case Study 5

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Case Study 5

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Case Study 5

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Case Study Structure: The World Food Problem

1. Background and Context

 Global Food Security Overview:

The world faces many food problems, including:

 Unsustainable agricultural practices

 Increased biofuel production

 Disparities among income groups

3. Key Issues to Address

4. Questions for Participants

5. Data and Analysis

6. Presentation and Evaluation

 Presentation of Solutions: Teams present their analysis and solutions to a panel of

You might also like