Consumers question impact of President’s “deliberate initiatives and policies” claim on food prices – Stabroek News

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Cost of Living in Guyana

A sampling of urban working class Guyanese, predominantly women with school-age children did not find them as upbeat as President Irfaan Ali might have hoped they may be about what he had to say recently about the “deliberate initiatives and policies” that his administration has undertaken “over the last four years to address the rise of global food prices and cushion the cost of living for Guyanese.”

Current Food Prices and the Reality for Urban Guyanese

After the President had been quoted in an official release published on Saturday August 3 as saying that his government had “implemented deliberate initiatives and policies over the last four years to address the rise of global food prices and cushion the cost of living for Guyanese,” respondents to whom the Stabroek Business spoke to during visits to two urban municipal markets expressed the view that current food prices, particularly the prices of fruits and vegetables cultivated in Guyana, continue to be beyond the reach of large numbers of urban Guyanese for whom – according to one respondent – shopping in urban municipal markets has become a permanent bargain-hunting exercise on account of what our fourteen respondents told us were the exorbitant prices of meats, fruit and vegetables.

The Role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The issue of rising food prices and the affordability of essential goods and services is closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. SDG 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms, while SDG 2 focuses on achieving zero hunger and ensuring access to nutritious food for all. Additionally, SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

However, the reality on the ground in Guyana suggests that these goals are yet to be fully achieved. The high prices of fruits, vegetables, and meats in urban municipal markets make it difficult for many urban Guyanese, especially those from the working class, to afford a balanced and nutritious diet.

Addressing the Challenges

In order to address these challenges and make progress towards the SDGs, it is crucial for the Guyanese government to take further action. This may include:

1. Implementing policies to support local agriculture and reduce reliance on imported food products.
2. Investing in infrastructure and technology to improve agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
3. Providing financial support and training for small-scale farmers to enhance their productivity and competitiveness.
4. Promoting sustainable farming practices to protect the environment and ensure long-term food security.

By prioritizing these actions and working towards achieving the SDGs, the Guyanese government can create a more sustainable and affordable food system for its citizens.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, the following indicators can be implied based on the issues discussed:

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: stabroeknews.com