Agricultura e segurança alimentar

Abstract

Prevailing patterns of food production and consumption are spreading throughout the world, while 800 million people in the world are malnourished, representing 13% of the world population, according to 1996 FAO data. Currently in Latin America, 40% of the population is poor and 11% undernourished, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.The urgent need for corrective measures is undeniable.The mobilization of resources for agriculture, which is fundamental for food security in developing countries, must advance in the direction of desired changes. This study, which analyzes various aspects of the relationship between Latin American agriculture and the food security of the populations involved, it generates indicative for improvement of production models and it supplies subsidies to guide actions of public politics. The data utilized (1999, 2000,2001) were from the FAO statistical data base (FAOSTAT). Beans, beef and veal, cassava, eggs, fish (seafood), fruit, maize, milk, rice, pigmeat, potatoes, poultry meat, vegetables, vegetables oil, sugar and wheat were choosen to compose this analysis. We used factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis as the fundamental methodology. This multivariate analysis revealed existing disparities and difficulties of certain countries, and offers guidance for making agro-food patterns more compatible with appropriate nutritional goals, as well as more sustainable from social, economic, cultural, and environmental perspectives.