Water scarcity and decline of farming among Malta’s challenges

The president’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (PFWS) has said that Malta is currently facing a number of food challenges due to the decline of farming and the scarcity of water as well as the widespread availability of cheap and unhealthy foods.

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

According to the Institute of International and European Affairs, Malta is suffering from absolute scarcity of water, with Malta’s water also containing high levels of nitrate, rendering 90% of it unfit for drinking. 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.

Moreover, the PFWS 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 allow them to earn a living. The foundation said that 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. 

According to 2015 NSO statistics, 14.4% of people in Malta cannot afford a meal with meat, chicken, fish or the vegetarian equivalent every second day. The Foundation added that this was problematic especially given the high price of good quality food and the widespread availability of cheap and unhealthy foods.

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.

The first goal aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere, while the second goal aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The two, the Foundation said, are invariably interlinked with each requiring the achievement of the other if social justice and wellbeing are to prevail.

The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society 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 said that it 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.