Every night, as many as 783 million people go to bed on an empty stomach. Hunger not only causes physical pain and health risks, but also makes attending school or work challenging, making it difficult for individuals experiencing hunger to change their circumstances.

Hunger is a complex issue; the solution, equally so. It’s not just about providing people food. It’s about changing the conditions that keep people hungry.

One key piece of the equation is energy. A reliable source of electricity can power essential tools for growing crops, storing produce, and cooking meals. Energy, especially off-grid energy like solar, can help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2—”zero hunger”—for all.

Overview of Goal 2

Sustainable Development Goal 2 strives to “end hunger in all its forms by 2030.” Some people may experience chronic hunger, not having enough access to food for a long period of time. Some people may experience seasonal hunger, which is most present in agricultural communities that rely on growing and selling crops. During the dry season, it is difficult for crops to grow where irrigation systems aren’t present, leading to food insecurity for farmers and their families.

There are many factors and forces contributing to food insecurity: poverty, climate change, conflict, and more These drivers are often interconnected. Families who are weighed down by extreme poverty, for instance, often live in the world’s hungriest areas. They may experience difficulty in affording adequate food and nutrition, which causes malnourishment and reduces their ability to work and learn. This results in a growing cycle of poverty and hunger.

Here’s where we stand on key targets of Goal 2:

• In 2023, hunger affected 9.1% of the global population, up from 7.5% in 2019.  
  
• Over 90 million children under five are severely underweight.
• In 2021, 21.5% of countries were affected by soaring food prices.

Many of the countries which are most impacted by hunger are located in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. These countries also happen to have access to some of the sunniest climates on Earth.

4 Ways Solar Energy Fights Hunger

Energy is a part of every being’s diet, within and outside of the animal kingdom. An ear of corn consumes and generates energy to nourish itself through photosynthesis. So does a fibrous yam, and every other crop in the world. Energy is what allows nature to grow, transform, and regenerate. But can energy also reverse hunger for some of the world’s most food-insecure people? Where the electric grid doesn’t reach, solar energy can fill the gap, providing a clean and steady power source to rural and underserves communities. So, what would happen if we harvested the sun?

• Farmers can irrigate year-round. Currently, only 6% of Africa’s total cultivated area is equipped for irrigation, with the majority of farms relying on rain-fed agriculture. This leaves farmers susceptible to climate shocks, such as drought—affecting their lives and livelihoods. Solar-powered irrigation can help farmers improve crop yields and increase their income, while boosting resilience for themselves and their communities.
• Clean cooking enters the home. More than 2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean cooking technologies, instead relying on fuels like kerosene, biomass, or coal to cook their meals. These fuels are hazardous to cook with, and carry serious risks to human health. Solar-powered appliances offer a cleaner, safer alternative that work even in the most remote locations.
• Refrigeration becomes a reality. Without electricity, farmers can’t take advantage of cold storage. Nearly a fifth of all food produced goes uneaten. In rich countries, this waste happens in the kitchen. In developing countries, it happens in at harvest time, as farmers lack resources like cold storage. With electricity, refrigeration becomes a reality, cutting food waste and nourishing more people.
• Access to information increases. A source of energy is required to power communication technologies and access vital information, such as weather forecasts, market prices, and best practices. Having access to this knowledge empowers farmers and communities to make key decisions for their yields and food supplies.

Smallholder Farms Can End World Hunger

84% of the world’s 570 million farms are less than five acres in size. They also produce one-third of the total crops we consume. Typically operated by families and local communities, smallholder farms employ two billion people.

Let’s say that you’re a farmer who grows cacao beans in Ivory Coast. You own a small crop of cacao trees that provides for you and your family. The droughts on the land have been getting more severe, and this year is particularly bad. A few weeks before harvest, you notice that many of your trees are dying from a lack of water, with no rain in the forecast. Without the majority of your cacao pods, how will you provide for your family and yourself?

Despite the food they grow, smallholder farmers are some of the most food-insecure and malnourished populations in the world. Limited resources, market barriers, and climate shocks contribute to a vicious cycle of poverty. Many farmers prioritize selling their crops rather than consuming them, yet still take in an income under $2 a day, meeting the extreme poverty line.

Food insecurity affects the health, wellbeing, and productivity of the people who grow the food we consume every day. In order to eradicate world hunger, we must first address the challenges faced by millions of smallholder farmers. Around the world, solar energy is doing just that—powering irrigation systems, food storage, and more. And when these farmers thrive, their communities does too.

Looking Forward: Solar Energy and Hunger

Without greater innovation, the world will be hungrier than ever by 2030. There is enough food grown to feed everyone on the planet, but as poverty, conflict, climate change, and displacement increases, it is becoming more difficult to grow, store, and cook food in vulnerable regions.

Solar energy is a key pillar in the fight against world hunger. By connecting unelectrified communities with a clean and reliable power source, we can foster food security from the ground up and fight for a future where all are fed.