Global Food Security Index 2021: Jordan

A state where all individuals consistently have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets dietary needs and preferences for active, healthy living.

A vital human need, considered a fundamental human right, crucial for sustainable development.

An annual index measuring food security in 113 countries using 58 indicators related to affordability, availability, quality & safety, and natural resources & resilience.

The cost of food and its impact on consumers, including vulnerability to price changes and support programs during food price shocks.

The sufficiency of the national food supply, potential disruptions, food distribution capacity, and agricultural output research efforts.

The nutritional quality and variety of average diets, as well as food safety measures.

A country's resilience to climate change, its exposure to natural resource risks, and its adaptation strategies.

Ireland, with a score of 84.0, ranks first globally. Burundi, with a score of 34.7, comes in last place.

Qatar ranks 24th globally and 1st among Arab countries with a score of 73.6. Jordan ranks 49th globally and 7th regionally with a score of 64.6.

Jordan performs well in 'natural resources & resilience' (36th globally, 1st among Arab countries) and 'affordability' (42nd globally, 3rd among Arab countries).

Jordan shows weaker performance in 'availability' and 'quality & safety' (both 64th globally, 9th among Arab countries).

Jordan's GFSI ranking improved from 62nd in 2020 to 49th in 2021, indicating progress in food security.

Jordan's strong performance in 'natural resources & resilience' is due to factors like land degradation and forest change indicators.

Jordan's success in 'affordability' involves indicators such as average food cost changes, poverty rates, and food safety net programs.

Jordan's 'availability' category requires improvement due to factors like government spending on agricultural R&D, access to agricultural technology, and infrastructure.

Jordan's 'quality & safety' category needs attention. It involves indicators like dietary diversity, nutritional guidance, food labeling regulations, and micronutrient availability.

A comprehensive vision for Jordan's economic modernization launched in 2022 encompassing 8 national economic drivers and 366 initiatives.

One of the 8 economic drivers in the 'Economic Modernization Vision' focuses on 'Agriculture and Food Security'.

The 'Economic Modernization Vision' proposes initiatives such as establishing a food security governing body, a national food security research center, and a food data intelligence system.

The proposed food security initiatives aim to reform agricultural regulations, promote modernization and innovation in agriculture, provide training for farmers, and support investment in AgTech and FoodTech.

Successful implementation of the proposed food security initiatives is expected to lead to improvements in Jordan's 'availability' category and overall GFSI ranking.

The 'quality & safety' category requires thorough examination of sub-indicators to develop plans for promoting awareness about healthy and balanced diets across Jordan.

Indicators considered for the 'availability' category include government spending on agricultural Research and Development (R&D), access to agricultural technology, total factor productivity of agriculture, crop storage facilities, and road infrastructure.

Indicators used to assess food 'quality & safety' include dietary energy consumption from non-starchy foods, government nutrition guidance and education campaigns, national nutrition strategies, food labeling regulations, and micronutrient availability.

The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) is a methodology used to measure the amount of high-quality protein in the diet.

The 'Economic Modernization Vision' aims to address food security as a core strategy for Jordan's future economic development.

The 'Economic Modernization Vision' emphasizes the need for a multi-pronged approach to food security, involving agricultural innovation, skill development, and investment in technology.