Malta is facing a number of food challenges due to the decline of farming, the scarcity of water and the widespread availability of cheap and unhealthy foods.

This was highlighted by the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society in anticipation of World Food Day (16th October) and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17th October).

It said that Malta is in fact one of the ten poorest countries in the world in terms of water resources, making it harder to produce fresh food. According to the Institute of International and European Affairs, Malta is suffering from absolute scarcity of water. Malta's water also has a high nitrate level, and although this does not negatively influence crops, 90% of groundwater is unfit for drinking.

The Foundation said that "many of the full-time farmers in Malta have other gainful activity in addition to working the land, as the latter alone does not necessarily permit them to earn a living. There has been an overall shift from full time to part time work in this sector, driven only by skill and passion for the work itself. This shift to part-time work has resulted in arable land being lost at a very fast rate."

"Meanwhile, 14.4% of people in Malta cannot afford a meal with meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian equivalent every second day, according to 2015 NSO statistics. High food prices and limited access to good quality, clean, fair, and healthy food is particularly problematic when considered alongside the widespread availability of cheap and unhealthy foods," the Foundation said.

To mark World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society facilitated discussions on the two topics within the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, while SDG 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The two are invariably interlinked, each requiring the achievement of the other if we are to live in a world where social justice and wellbeing prevails.

The President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society said that it facilitated these discussions in line with its aim of bringing people together in order to find innovative solutions which bring about wellbeing for all.

The Foundation encourages members of the public to continue engaging in these conversations and taking ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals as a plan which is for everyone, and with everyone.

The President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society aims to contribute to the wellbeing of society by creating the space to listen, explore, discuss, learn about and research ways of enhancing human relationships to become forces for meeting human needs, while providing opportunities for each and every individual to develop his or her full potential within a society that is inclusive and supportive.

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