While the Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), Angel Maneroassures that there is no hunger in Peru, a survey of Ipsos for Peru21 revealed that 42% of people, in the last 30 days, have sometimes been unable to eat due to lack of money.
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The situation is more complicated in the interior of the country, where 44% revealed that they have gone through this situation and the rural area is the most affected with 51%.
By geographic area, the north has the highest percentage of people who have not had the resources to feed themselves (51%) in the last month, followed by the south (42%), the center (41%) and the east (37%).
In this regard, the former head of Midagri, Milton Von Hesse, stated that the data confirm that after the pandemic, the number of people who do not have enough three meals a day has increased, mainly due to lack of income.
“Of course there is hunger in Peru. That has never been in doubt, except in the opinion of Minister Manero. Perhaps he was wrong to want to hide, surely, a reality that is uncomfortable for public policy,” he stressed.
WE DON’T EAT WELL
The Ipsos survey also revealed that in the country, on average, animal proteins, such as beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs and milk, are eaten only 4.3 days a week.
As for plant-based proteins, such as soy, quinoa, nuts, beans, and lentils, the average consumption is 3.9 days per week.
Former head of Midagri and columnist for Perú21, Juan Manuel Benites, said that Peru produces almost 70% of what it consumes (the rest is imported). However, he pointed out that people do not have access to these foods due to a lack of resources.
“The survey figures show that the population is eating poorly. Protein is essential for nutrition, especially for young people and children,” he said.
This situation, he said, is a reflection of poverty (which in 2023 affected 29% of people) and of an “extremely poor” economy that does not allow for greater growth or attract investments.
He said that, due to necessity, there have been changes in consumption habits, so that people have abandoned proteins for flour, noodles and rice, which, although they make one feel satisfied, do not necessarily nourish.
“You eat a plate of rice and it fills you up, because it is what you can afford, but there should be a good balance, good vegetables, beef, chicken or fish. The figures are worrying, anemia continues to gallop,” added Benites after indicating that to reverse this situation, it is not only necessary to inject more resources into social programs, but also to promote private spending and the creation of formal jobs.
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