Famine Prepping – How to Survive a Famine?

Thanks to the Green Revolution, food production has more than tripled during the past few decades, and currently, the world produces enough food for the population. Then why is it that more than 800 million people across the world go hungry every year? If you have not given much thought to the food on your table, then it is high time you start doing so and think about surviving food shortage. 

If one looks at it statistically, there seems to be enough food, but if one looks at things behind the scenes, a lot more is going on. While the Green Revolution has been successful in controlling widespread famine and producing more food, there are high environmental costs that come along. The planet has to bear with the rise of injudicious fertilizer usage, exhaustion of freshwater resources, and invasion of natural systems due to agricultural expansion.

Another major issue is the fast-rising numbers of the human population, and by mid-century, the world will have several billion more people to feed.  Issues like urbanization, soil degradation, and climate change will further limit the availability of arable land. The quality of life is likely to degrade further because of pollution, water shortages, and population density. Needless to say, the demand for food will go higher than what it is today and give rise to food security issues and questions like how to survive a famine. 

Today due to economic breakdown and pandemics many societies can face famine like situation. Severe weather, famine, draught, weather can also cause the food shortages and starvation worldwide. Due to loss of jobs and other several reasons we can see the number of people starving or dieing every day every where. We may have never faced famine like situation in our lives but in this changing world environment we need to think about preparing ourselves in advance for famine. 

The Global Food Security 

You may not feel or understand the gravity of food security issues, as all you need to do is head for the local supermarket to shop for the groceries, vegetables, and fruits. You may not even realize it, but it is like that invisible danger that is gradually creeping from all around like an invisible enemy.  However, food security is one of the most serious issues facing humanity today, and what everyone will soon need is a food shortage survival guide. 

 A higher yield is important for feeding a fast-growing population, but currently, we have very homogenous food crops. The U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization states that more than 50% of all human foods come from rice, maize, and wheat. The entire crops become vulnerable because of the lack of genetic variability and susceptibility to changing climates. 
 
Hundreds and thousands of acres of forests and woodlands are getting converted into grazing lands for the cattle and  to make beef. Producing a kilogram of meat protein is thirty times more demanding on the planet and its environment as compared to plant protein.  Current food production practices are not sustainable for the future of the planet and humanity. 

Another challenge faced by most countries is the quality of most important crops like maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans, which provide two-thirds of the calories that are degrading. This is because of the different environmental and political forces working behind. For example, in countries like Europe, Asia, and Africa are facing shortages of water and lack of fertilizers due to socioeconomic factors.  
 
Climate and environmental changes like depleted soils, erosion, heat stress, and disease lead to the stunted growth of the crops. Additional challenges include lack of funds for other inputs, and as a result, the quality and yields of major world crops are not rising enough to meet that demand.  What everybody can do is at least be aware of a reliable food shortage survival guide that can be a support in case of tough times ahead. 

 The demand for agricultural production is expected to increase between 60 and 100 percent by 2050. And still, billions of people would go hungry and will be looking for ways of surviving food shortage. Further expansion of agriculture would not be possible because of limited resources. An increased harvest frequency may be a solution but seems farfetched. The solution lies in how to control the population, improve farming methods, and learn how to survive a famine, just in case. Sooner or later, it won’t be possible to feed the world by simply increasing food and crop production. 

The Food Shortage Survival Guide 

 You might never know when you find yourself in the middle of a famine. After all, we live in such unpredictable times and uncertain economies. The natural calamities can strike anyone and anywhere, and one is never sure what can trigger the next world war, or an epidemic hit the whole world. You may be left facing a severe shortage of food supply and with just what is on your kitchen shelves and refrigerator.  

 Do not make the mistake of thinking that food shortages occur only in faraway poor and developing countries.  The famine can strike any country, and once it occurs, it can last for weeks and months.  Thus, it becomes essential for us to learn more about a famine-like situation and how to survive a famine. 

Here are some essential tips that can keep you ahead and give you that winning edge in case of a famine disaster in the future. 

  • Preparing ahead holds the key 
    Famine can cause acute shortage of food supply in any region. The first and foremost essential tip for surviving food shortage is to prepare in advance. Even if you have never faced a famine before, learn more about it, and gather useful information to understand the situation better. Famine lasts for weeks, days or even months. Food riots are not uncommon, and all one needs to do is search online, and they will get plenty of examples of how people can injure or even kill each other for food. Venezuelans have been dealing with food shortages for many years now. As mass starvation can be a real threat, start preparing well ahead and learn how to survive a famine. Advance preparation can help you and your family to survive during those tough times. 
  • Make a plan 
    Discuss the topic with your family and can even guide your neighbors and friends, and motivate them to do so. Based on where you live and the number of your family members, devise a plan on surviving food shortage. Estimate the amount of food you would need to survive at least six months or a year for the whole family, and do not forget your pet. See how and where you are going to stock the food and what kind of storage would work the best in your area and based on the climatic conditions. You can purchase a land or property to grow your foods and crops. Keeping a livestock is also a great idea during critical situations.  
  • Stock up long-lasting food  
    The two essential items on your list should be food and water, and now that you have an idea about the quantity of food and water you need to store, make a list. Look for food with a longer shelf life, at least a couple of months, and buy in bulk, and an added advantage is that you can get some heavy discounts. Hunting, fishing or growing food may not be possible during certain conditions, hence stockpiling non perishable food is essential. 
     
    Some good choices include foods like white and brown rice, beans, wheat, and more. These foods, when packaged and stored properly, can last even for decades.  Other options include dried noodles, pasta, trail mix and nuts, dry fruits, lard, and honey. Lower the threat of moisture and oxygen absorbing by using good quality and airtight food storage containers. As for meat and vegetables and fruits, it is best to freeze them. Canned and frozen food and beef jerkies, too, are great options. Powdered milk can be a life savior, and it is easy to store and packed with different nutrients. 
     
    Make sure to label the shelves of your food pantry with the date and month of expiry so that you can use them within the period. Monitor and replenish your stocks every six months. What you store and how your store is an essential step of food shortage survival guide. Make sure you have enough space available to store the food. You also need to control the temperature and humidity of the storage space enhance the shelf life of foods. 
  • Grow your food 
    Take a look at your backyard that you may have ignored for months and years. Well, this could be your savior during a famine, provided you learn how to grow food in your garden for surviving food shortage. You can go online and get inspired by countless videos showing you how to grow vegetables and herbs in plastic bottles or even develop an indoor survival garden. Some of the most popular vegetables that are commonly grown broccoli, peas, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, brussels sprouts, spring onions, salad leaves, beetroot, and herbs. Its essential to learn the skills of food preservations especially meat and vegetables. 
     
    Start the Green Revolution in your backyard and make sure that you have the basic tools as well as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides that will work best in your area. Along with learning how to grow your food, you should also know how to protect your crops from intruders. You can use fences around the property or have guard dogs. 
  • Hunt for food 
     
    While you may be running short of food supplies,  the forest area around you that may be teeming with wildlife. Take advantage of the situation and look out for both the big and small game in the area. Depending on where you live, you can hunt for animals like rabbit, duck, turkey, and even deer, elk, etc. Hence, it is not a bad idea to try your game at hunting and get some practice, experience, and knowledge of the land. However, make sure to know the laws of your state regarding hunting animals. To survive the famine you will require list of items like fish nets and poles, crabbine gear, hunting knives, traps etc. Also a cross bow and rifle are great tools for hunting. 
  • What about water? 
     
    Even if you have a steady amount of food, you will also need water for survival. Who knows your water supply may also take a hit during the famine, and thus it makes sense to have a sufficient amount of water stocked along with your food?  One can live without proper food for two months, but its difficult to survive without water even for  a couple of days. Thus, it is crucial that you have stored water in your food storage. You can collect rainwater for future use. Clean drinking water, good quality of food, and sanitation are essential for health care. A person, on average, needs at least half a gallon per day. 
  • Be discreet but knowledgeable  
    Watch out for the news and look for signs of an ensuing famine. It is a good idea to relocate to a place where you can fell lesser intensity of the famine. However, keep the information safe and undisclosed within the trusted group of friends and relatives. There is no need to shout and let everybody know about your food shortage survival plan and be discreet with your activities. 

Last but not least, keep an eye on government or private organizations providing free food supply during the famine. Irrespective of the cause of the famine, it never hurts to plan and prepare ahead. Know how to survive a famine and feel good and confident about the steps you have taken. 

A good place to store all your food items is in the basement, as well as in your closets. Food storage in rolling containers is a good idea as it makes it easier to move the food stored. Many preppers even go ahead a step further and install false walls in their homes as a secure and  safe place for storing and hiding their food supplies. It is also a great idea to have a sufficient supply of minerals and multivitamins to get all the essential nutrients your body needs. 

Surviving food shortage is not easy, and you can never experience what it feels like unless and until you are hit by a famine. The shortage of food and water can turn even the most civic into Inhumans who will be ready to do anything for food.  Don’t be surprised to see local goons searching the neighborhoods for free food and, thus, be prepared to defend yourself. Follow the laws of your state before you own a gun. After all, once the community around you feel the fangs of the famine, they are sure to look elsewhere for food and start checking with every home.  Remain updated with the news and know what’s going on around you. 

 Don’t ignore food famines or simply brush them away as a silly thought.  Take this food shortage survival guide seriously, and if you follow the tips carefully, you will be able to face the famine situation with a lot more confidence. Do not wait for the crisis to develop or happen and be that smart and savvy famine prepper who took good care of his family and loved ones and didn’t let them go hungry even during food shortages and famine.