Discover the Only Country That Achieves Complete Food Self-Sufficiency: A Game-Changing Study Revealed!

Out of 186 countries, only Guyana can completely feed its citizens without needing imports. This finding comes from a study published in Nature Food, which looked at the ability of each country to produce food across seven categories: fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, plant-based proteins, and starchy staples.

Interestingly, 65% of nations were found to overproduce meat and dairy relative to their dietary needs. Meanwhile, Guyana stands out as the only country achieving full self-sufficiency across all food groups. China and Vietnam come close, producing enough food in six of the seven categories.

Despite some achievements, many countries struggle to meet basic nutritional needs, especially for nutrient-rich plants. Less than half of the countries produced enough plant-based proteins like beans and lentils, and only 24% managed to grow sufficient vegetables.

Regions like Europe and South America fared better in terms of self-sufficiency. In contrast, small island nations, countries in the Arabian Peninsula, and low-income nations often rely on food imports. Alarmingly, six countries—Afghanistan, the UAE, Iraq, Macao, Qatar, and Yemen—didn’t meet self-sufficiency in any food group.

Dr. Jonas Stehl from the University of Göttingen, an author of the study, pointed out that low self-sufficiency isn’t always negative. Countries may have valid reasons for importing food, like poor climate or soil conditions. In some cases, it’s economically sensible to buy food from regions that can produce it more efficiently.

However, relying too much on imports can be risky during global crises like droughts or wars. The study highlights the importance of understanding a nation’s food production in the context of sudden supply shocks.

Researchers measured food production against the dietary needs outlined by the World Wildlife Fund’s Livewell diet. This flexible diet encourages more plant-based foods, vegetables, and whole grains while cutting down on unhealthy options.

The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, revived conversations around the benefits of food self-sufficiency. Dr. Stehl noted a growing interest in national food security, which may reflect a wider trend toward nationalism and a desire to reduce reliance on foreign sources.

Building resilient food supply chains is essential for public health, according to Dr. Stehl. With the world changing rapidly, ensuring steady access to food becomes even more critical.

For more insights, you can explore the findings in more detail in the study found here.

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