Effective food utilization depends in large measure on knowledge within the household of food storage and processing techniques, basic principles of nutrition and proper child care. Today Global agriculture currently produces ample calories and nutrients to provide all the world's people healthy and productive lives. However, food is not distributed equally to regions, countries, households and individuals. A substantial share of the world's supply of calories and nutrients is allocated to diets rich in animal protein. At the same time, many families have insufficient food to meet their basic needs and must be considered chronically food insecure.
Food aid can help meet a fraction of the needs of the poor.
Agricultural productivity includes measures across the entire spectrum of the food system which reduce food costs in real terms and increase incomes. If historical patterns hold, rising incomes will result in increased effective demand for food, and, in turn, increased production. In a world where there are already many food insecure people, this process will create additional uncertainty about food supplies for the poor, especially if food prices also rise. However, it also means there is real potential for expanding the incomes of the poor if ways can be found to improve their productivity both on and off the farm. South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are the regions most affected by chronic food insecurity.