Maximising Food Security through a Macronutrient Optimisation Approach Considering Energy and Water Constraints

Considering the relationship between food security and malnutrition, a ‘Decade of Action’ was certified by the UN in 2016 promoting the need to end all types of malnutrition. In the context of nutrition, this study evaluates the possibility to maximise nutritional benefits through the optimal allocation of water and energy resources using a hypothetical case study in Qatar. Two complementary models were developed using goal programming and linear programming formulations, both of which were utilised to solve various scenarios. The multi-objective function of goal programming minimises the weighted negative deviation from the targeted food groups and nutrients. Meanwhile, the linear programming model was implemented to increase the self-sufficiency percentage of food groups and nutrients. For the case study analysed, the model results demonstrate clearly that the quantity of natural fresh water and energy utilisation is not sufficient to meet the targeted 40% self-sufficiency levels of either food groups or nutrients. In addition, the results indicate the dependency between increasing the self-sufficiency of different nutrients with the increased production of dates group, implying that dates can be considered a strategic crop for Qatar in terms of food security. Moreover, the results suggest an alternative production mix that will provide approximately 38% carbohydrates, 9% protein, and improves the fibres to about 3.5% from 0.5%, which offers more diversity in the diet and reduces the fat to about 8.5% from about 150% compared to the current production.