Impact of National Security on Food Security in Asia; An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

Asia is known as the region with unprecedented economic growth as compared to the rest of the world but this has not improved the food security situation of the region at large. While the region was successful in reaching it MDG targets of halving the number of hungry people by 2015, it failed to decrease the number of undernourished people. It is argued that this strangulation in achieving goals can be attributed to the outdated perspective adopted towards viewing Food Insecurity. Scholars around the globe argue that food insecurity is a result of national level insecurity. Moreover, it also argued that national security should not be limited to the use of military might to protect homeland against rival states. Instead, today’s security is multi-dimensional incorporating security at national, community and individual level, as well as addressing being secure from economic and environmental disturbances. This study aims to measure the relationship between national security and food security in Asian countries. For the purpose of this research national security is conceptualized in a holistic way, as an amalgamation of economic stability, environmental stability and minimal internal and external armed conflicts. In order to deduce conclusions, the study makes use of quantitative regression analysis and checks the correlation between the various indicators of national security and food security. Research is based on secondary data collection from databanks including World Bank, UCDP and FAO. The study allows us to explore that economic disruptions as well as deaths caused by conflicts are significantly correlated with food insecurity. Based on the results of the correlation analysis, the study tends to draw recommendations regarding appropriate course of action that can be adopted in the Asian region.