Why is the question of food security still subject of an unresolved debate in the MENA region?
There are two sides to the longstanding debate on food security in MENA. On the one hand, there are public voices who are trying to push governments towards a self-sufficiency goal. On the other hand, there are experts who argue that the scarcity of natural resources and increasing demand for limited land and water-triggered by rapid population growth-render self-sufficiency objectives cost prohibitive. The important thing to remember is that self sufficiency and food security is not the same thing. Self sufficiency means you produce all your own food. Food security means that you have access to affordable food. Financing self sufficiency today will come at the expense of future generations in the sense that the very high investments in land and water management required to achieve such a goal will take resources away from critically important sectors such as education and health. What can governments do in terms of addressing the concerns expressed by different stakeholders? There is
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