Standing Up Against Food Wastage - Fiinovation

Life would have been much easier if we could only point fingers at others and not admit that we are also a major part of the problem of food wastage. We can blame food wastage on the food processing industry or the agricultural sector, but we the consumers are also a part of the problem. Food wastage is an environmental cost that not only impacts the present generation but the future generations will also have to suffer due to this. Approximately, 750 billion US dollars is the estimated cost of wasted food in this world, which is 6 times the amount spent on development aid around the world. It is criminal to waste food when every day 870 million go to bed hungry.

This year the World Environment Day theme was Think, Eat and Save: Reduce your FoodPrint. Fiinovation is observing its environment fortnight and raising awareness about food wastage. Food wastage not only impacts the food supply but also impact the water supply as food production involves unsustainable use of water. As approximately 98% of the world's hungry lives in the developing countries there is a need to empower people with sufficient amount of food. With this objective in mind emerging nations like India is taking up initiatives like Right to Food that will provide security of food to approximately 67% of the population.

It is estimated that about one third of the food produced around the world is either wasted or lost. The food that is kept uselessly around the world can take up as much as half the size of United States. The current world population is more than 7 billion that is expected to grow up to 9 billion by the 2050, food wastage impacts us economically, environmentally and ethically. Food production involves 25% of all habitable land, consumes 75% of fresh water, is responsible for 80% of deforestation and emits 30% of greenhouse gases.

Taking note of the various food facts, Fiinovation suggests that we should involve ourselves in consumption of foods that have less environmental impacts. Fiinovation designs innovative concepts that involve climate smart agriculture to help reduce environmental impacts. Choosing organic foods is an effective way that consumers can involve themselves to contribute towards this cause. Locally grown food should be chosen to be eaten by consumers as they will limit emissions. Food that is wasted and not eaten gets decomposed in landfills emitting greenhouse gases.

This campaign against food wastage can only be successful if the developed nations become taking it seriously. Every individual has to contribute from their part and THINK about their consumption patterns, take that much to EAT what we require, and SAVE food. If we can reduce the foodprint we can put less pressure on the resources of the planet. We need to find effective ways to maximize the food resources of the world. We need to incorporate sustainable food systems by producing nutritious diets for the people of the world keeping in mind the sustainability factor. Waste products like manure and food scraps should be turned into valuable fertilizers or energy that will help sustainability. The food processing industry and the hospitality sector should take more responsibility towards this initiative. With all these measures the world will become food secure and enable environmental sustainability effective.

The revolution of consciousness is connected to the food revolution.

Rahul Choudhury

Fiinovation