Examining the Nexus between Climate Change and Food Security in South Asian Economies: Evidence from Panel Data

Abstract

Extreme climate change has become a serious concern, posing challenges to human and economic welfare across many developed and developing countries. Based on empirical observation, it is claimed that the devastating floods, along with the threat of droughts, can account for variations in food security between different countries. This study uses the data from 1973 to 2021 to check the relationship between climate change and food security in a panel of SAARC countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Based on the statistical test diagnostics, we estimate a random effects model to examine the nexus between climate change and food security. Results indicated that land under cereal production, GDP per capita, and mean average temperature have a positive association. While Population growth and mean average rainfall have a negative association. Facing the issues of climate change, the governments of the economies under study may construct new dams to store water, which will also aid in flood control. Further, the increasing area of cultivation may boost the output level and cereal availability, which may help to sort out the main issue of food insecurity.