SDG 2 ; Hunger : Why and how?

 

Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) is called “Zero Hunger.” It focuses on ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture by the year 2030. In about 500 words, this can be explained through two main ideas: why SDG 2 is needed and how it can be achieved.

Why SDG 2 is important

Hunger is still one of the biggest problems in the world. Many people do not get enough food every day, and many others eat food that does not give them the nutrients they need to stay healthy. When people are hungry, they become weak, fall sick easily, and cannot work or study properly. Children who grow up without enough nutritious food can suffer from stunting, which affects their physical and mental development for life. Hunger is therefore not just about empty stomachs; it is about blocked futures.

SDG 2 is also important because hunger is closely linked with poverty, inequality and conflict. Poor families often spend most of their income on food, and even then they may still not have enough. In times of war, disaster or climate shock, food systems break down and hunger increases rapidly. Climate change makes this worse by causing droughts, floods and unpredictable weather, which damage crops and reduce harvests. If hunger is not reduced, it becomes harder to achieve other goals like good health, quality education and decent work. Ending hunger is therefore a foundation for a peaceful, fair and developed society.

Another reason SDG 2 matters is that it pushes the world to think about how food is produced. Modern food systems often harm the environment through overuse of chemical fertilisers, cutting down forests for farmland and wasting large amounts of food. SDG 2 reminds us that feeding people should not destroy soil, water, forests and biodiversity. It calls for a balance: enough food for all, produced in ways that protect the planet.

 

How SDG 2 can be achieved

To achieve SDG 2, the world needs to act in several connected ways. First, everyone must have physical and economic access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. This can happen through social protection schemes, school meal programmes, food banks and direct support to the poorest families. Governments can create policies that keep basic food affordable and prevent sudden price spikes.

Second, all forms of malnutrition must be tackled. This includes undernutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and even obesity. Special attention must be given to children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls and the elderly. This may involve nutrition education, fortified foods, better healthcare services and clean water and sanitation, since diseases like diarrhoea make malnutrition worse.

Third, small-scale farmers need strong support. Many of the world’s hungry people are actually those who grow food. They often lack secure land rights, good seeds, irrigation, credit, storage, transport and access to markets. By giving them fair access to land, training, technology and finance, their productivity and income can increase. When small farmers, including women, indigenous peoples and pastoralists, are empowered, local food supply becomes more stable and communities become more resilient.

Fourth, agriculture must become more sustainable and climate-resilient. This means using farming methods that protect soil, save water, conserve biodiversity and reduce pollution. Examples include crop rotation, agroforestry, using organic fertilisers, improving seed varieties and protecting local plant and animal breeds. It also involves building systems that can withstand climate shocks, such as drought-resistant crops, early warning systems and better storage.

Finally, SDG 2 requires cooperation at local, national and global levels. Governments, international organisations, farmers, scientists, businesses and citizens all have roles to play: from investing in rural infrastructure and research to reducing food waste and choosing sustainable diets. If these “why” and “how” aspects are addressed together, the vision of Zero Hunger becomes achievable