ICT’s Impact on Food Security in South Asian Countries: The Role of Economic Growth, Energy Consumption, and Environmental Quality

Abstract

South Asia faces a tremendous challenge in ensuring food security for its growing population. Poverty, climate change, and resource limitations threaten food production and access. Information and communication technology (ICT) provides a variety of techniques to increase food security. This research examines ICT’s effect on food security by regulating CO₂ emissions, energy use, and economic growth in South Asian (SA) nations. It takes panel data from 1997 to 2021 and applies the 2nd generation unit root and Westerlund cointegration tests. For this reason, it is necessary to use 2nd generation Westerlund cointegration tests and the “Dumitrescu-Hurlin (D-H) causality test” to ensure the validity of the “Second-generation estimation technique(s) the Driscoll and Kraay method.” The outcomes of the bootstrap cointegration test support the existence of long-run cointegration. The Driscoll and Kraay results show a symmetric relationship between ICT and food security, linked to higher CO2 emissions, whereas economic growth and renewable energy consumption increase the latter. As a result of the significant positive stimulus it has on food security, developing ICT is vital to raising food security in South Asian countries. The results from the Driscoll and Kraay estimates are consistent with those from the GLS, proving the Driscoll and Kraay results are reliable. The D-H causality also confirms the GLS and Driscoll and Kraay results. To enhance environmental quality and food security, governments can fund green ICT R&D. Policymakers consider financial incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and subsidies to incentivize ICT companies to adopt sustainable practices and technology.