Regional nations in Asia, deliberate advancements in combating food scarcity.
In the Global Hunger Index 2024, Tajikistan stands as the sole Central Asian nation with significant concerns regarding hunger, while Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are classified as low-risk. This disparity can be attributed to various factors.
Economic vulnerability, with Tajikistan being one of the poorest countries in the region, exacerbates food insecurity, as many households struggle to afford basic necessities. The country faces challenges in ensuring consistent food availability due to its mountainous terrain and limited arable land, which hinder agricultural productivity and food production. This issue is compounded by the reliance on imported food, which can be volatile in terms of price and availability.
Tajikistan also faces difficulties with infrastructure, including roads and water systems, which can impede the distribution of food and essential goods. International aid, such as USAID's support for water systems and food assistance programs, is being employed to address these issues.
External shocks like climate change, global economic downturns, and the Russia-Uzbekistan war pose ongoing threats to food security across the region by raising the costs of food, energy, and agricultural production. Despite agriculture's economic significance, according to the survey, nearly all countries in the region are underinvesting in the sector.
In contrast, the other Central Asian states have made significant strides in economic development and infrastructure, contributing to their lower hunger risk. Kazakhstan, for example, boasts a more diversified economy and better agricultural conditions, which have helped maintain lower levels of hunger.
Uzbekistan has made the most progress over the past quarter-century in reducing hunger. In 2000, the threat of hunger in Uzbekistan was rated as "serious" by the Global Hunger Index. In the latest survey, the threat of hunger in Uzbekistan was the lowest in Central Asia.
The countries of the South Caucasus - Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia - were all at low risk of hunger, according to the GHI survey.
This trend indicates that continued efforts towards economic growth, agricultural development, and infrastructure improvement are crucial to reducing hunger in Central Asian states, particularly in Tajikistan.
Weather patterns in Tajikistan, influenced by its mountainous terrain and susceptibility to climate change, can impact agricultural productivity, further exacerbating food insecurity. The country's cultural traditions, rich with folklore and music, offer a unique perspective, but may not provide immediate solutions to the country's health-and-wellness concerns, such as malnutrition. In contrast, the food and nutrition sectors in countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with their advancements in science and technology, are fortifying their local populations with balanced diets and improved health outcomes.
