Wednesday, August 12, 2015

How Forests Can Help In Ending World Hunger?

World hunger is a grave issue for which various solutions are being explored. Focus on ending child hunger, supporting small farmers, and ending poverty are some of the major solutions in the fight against hunger. But, forests are the aspects that are usually discounted.
People may not realize but forests could be the key to end world hunger. How? Answer is –

By supporting farmers and poor people – It is a well-known fact that small farmers profoundly depend on the natural resources including woodlands. Tree based farming provides better protection against the harsh weather conditions effectively protecting crops. It increases the food production and supports small farmers.

People who cannot afford other fuels like liquid petroleum gas (LPG gas) depend on wood fuels. Forests also help poor individuals in earning some capital. Many people sell various forest products such as oils, fruits etc., to get some extra income. This extra income helps in decreasing and eventually ending poverty, which is one of the major aspects in world hunger. Not being able to afford nutritious food is the probably the biggest reason behind world hunger.

By providing nutritious food options – You may not realize but woodlands also provide various nutritious food options such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, honey and more. Local people consume these options in their daily diet and get numerous nutrients. In case of a natural calamity like drought, these diet options become very essential for people.

By sheltering wild life including various food sources – Woodlands also provide shelter to wild life in which many are used as a food source.

It includes fishes and animals that are used for completing meat requirements of diet. It completes the nutrients requirements including fats, protein and more. All these diet options increase the overall nutrition level for an individual. It also keeps the animal balance in forests while local people get food to eat without spending money.

By providing feed for cattle – Many cattle farmers or small farmers with few cattle depend on forests for animals’ feed. Woodlands provide enough silage to feed their animals, which are an essential source of milk and other products. Waste of these animals is also used to produce biofuel, which reduces the financial burden on an individual.

As mentioned above, woodlands can play a major role in ending hunger worldwide. Natural resources like these may be the key to ending hunger.

No comments:

Post a Comment