The phrase "famine conditions" refers to a situation where there is a severe shortage of food in a particular area or country, leading to widespread hunger and malnutrition. Full definition
Though breastfeeding mother's are advised to consume 500 calories more than when they are not breastfeeding, researchers in developing countries found that it takes three weeks of near famine conditions until the quantity or quality of mother's milk is compromised. (pregnancy-info.net)
The leaves of many fodder crops are also edible by humans, but usually only eaten under famine conditions. (sciencedaily.com)
you should do some reading, Mao / Stalin created famine conditions and used that as a tool to further Communist - atheist revolution. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)