scholarly journals Agriculture Development and Food Security Policy in Eritrea - An Analysis

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (16) ◽  
pp. 01-17
Author(s):  
Ravinder Rena ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Security Policy ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Agriculture Development

The main economic activity of the people of Eritrea is agriculture: crop production and livestock herding. Agriculture mainly comprises mixed farming and some commercial concessions. Most agriculture is rain-fed. The main rain-fed crops are sorghum, millet and sesame, and the main irrigated crops are all horticultural crops like bananas, onions and tomatoes and cotton. The major livestock production constraints are disease, water and feed shortages and agricultural expansion especially in the river frontages. The agricultural sector employs eighty percent of the working population, but its production has not managed to cover internal food demand and is forced to cover nearly 50 per cent of its annual cereal requirements through imports- commercial and food assistance. Like most African countries, Eritrea is also a victim of the problem of food insecurity. In good years the country produces only about 60 per cent of its total food needs and in poor years, it produces no more than 25 per cent. On average, once in 10 years, the country is threatened with famines. Annual crop production depends on rainfall that is variable and unevenly distributed from year to year. Therefore, the primary goal of Eritrea is to guarantee food security by introducing modern technology, irrigation, terracing, soil and water conservation, with less dependence on rainwater. Thus the Government has articulated its food policy, which stresses national ownership of grant food assistance and to achieve food security in the coming five years. The policy indeed encompasses all sectoral policies and represents the Government’s engagements with regard to food security. Despite the general trends of improvement in the economy of Eritrea, it has not yet fully recovered, and thus will still continue to require variable degrees of food assistance for the coming few more years. Based on this historical and recurrent food insecurity in Eritrea, an attempt is made in this paper to assess the agriculture development and food policy in the country. Furthermore, the paper captures the available food security policy proposals of Eritrea and eventually draws conclusions.

scholarly journals Dynamics of agricultural land and the risk to food insecurity in the Niayes region of Diamniadio, West Senegal

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateugue Diack ◽  
Macoumba Loum ◽  
Abdoulaye Guisse ◽  
Mamadou B. Sane
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research

Food security is a serious challenge facing West African countries because most croplands are being degraded. Consequently, agricultural production is being exceeded by rapid population growth. This study relates the dynamics of agricultural lands to the level of capacity building for resilience in response to low productivity and hence to food insecurity in the Niayes region, Senegal, where lands are presumably suitable for crop production. Factors influencing changes in surface areas, soil quality and level of resilience were examined using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Findings showed strong relationships between a significant decrease (65.25% – 35.54%) in productive agricultural lands with a range of soil physical and chemical properties (clay to loamy soil texture; soil pH: 7.0–8.0; soil organic carbon [SOC]: 5.0 g kg−1 – 25.0 g kg−1; effective cations exchangeable capacity [ECEC]: 4.5 Cmol kg−1 – 39.0 Cmol kg−1; cation exchange capacity [CEC]: 8.0 Cmol kg−1 – 34.0 Cmol kg−1) and food insecurity levels. In the last 5 years, urbanisation and industrialisation processes have reduced the farmlands by about 26.51% through uncontrolled construction of buildings and companies, leading to a disappearance of lands. Such dynamics raises the issue of a risk to food security in a region that usually provides more than 70% of fruits and vegetables demand for consumption. These results underline a need for a greater understanding of resilience for a better management design with a risk prevention plan to ensure food security.

Ghana: the State of Agriculture and Prospects for Food Security in the Context of Achieving SDGs

2018 ◽  
pp. 16-31
Author(s):  
Tatyana Denisova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The State ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

For the first time in Russian African studies, the author examines the current state of agriculture, challenges and prospects for food security in Ghana, which belongs to the group of African countries that have made the most progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 with a view of achieving them by 2030. The SDGs include: ending poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1); ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture (2); ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (3), etc. These goals are considered fundamental because the achievement of a number of other SDGs – for example, ensuring quality education (4), achieving gender equality (5), ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (12), etc. – largely depends on their implementation. Ghana was commended by the world community for the significant reduction in poverty, hunger and malnutrition between 2000 and 2014, i.e. for the relatively successful implementation of the first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015) – the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. However, SDGs require more careful study and planning of implementation measures. In order to achieve the SDGs, the Government of Ghana has adopted a number of programs, plans and projects, the successful implementation of which often stumbles upon the lack of funding and lack of coordination between state bodies, private and public organizations, foreign partners – donors and creditors, etc., which are involved in the processes of socioeconomic development of Ghana. The author determines the reasons for the lack of food security in Ghana, gives an assessment of the state of the agricultural sector, the effective development of which is a prerequisite for the reduction of poverty and hunger, primarily due to the engagement of a significant share (45%) of the economically active population in this sector. The study shows that the limited growth in food production is largely due to the absence of domestic markets and necessary roads, means of transportation, irrigation and storage infrastructure, as well as insufficient investment in the agricultural sector, rather than to a shortage of fertile land or labor.

scholarly journals Climate Smart Agriculture as Final Goal: Use of Improved Cereals Varieties in Cinzana, Mali.

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
Kalifa TRAORE ◽  
Daouda SIDIBE ◽  
Harouna COULIBALY
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Heavy Rain ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Farmer Organizations ◽  
Conservation Technology ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Climate variability and change are recognized as the greatest challenge to crop production and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. This work assesses farmers’ perception on the contribution of improved varieties of sorghum and millet in the search for food security in Cinzana rural commune of Mali in the current context of climate change.The methodology was based on focus group surveys with both, the decentralized technical services, administrative and municipal authorities, NGOs, farmer organizations and producers but also farmer exchanges visits on improved varieties tested in farmer’s field.The result shows that climate change is described by the majority of farmers (87%) as decrease in rainfall amount and length of rainy seasons, high increases in temperature and high deforestation and water scarcity. Unpredictability of climate, (80%), drought (70%) and heavy rain (65%) occurrence were identified as major perception of farmers on risks in climate for crop production and soil degradation. After farmers’ study tour, 80% of the participants mentioned a better growth of plants and increase of soil moisture with the use of contour ridges tillage as a water conservation technology. Adapted cycle (55%) and higher yield (37%) of improved varieties were farmer’s main drivers for adoption of improved millet and sorghum varieties.The study revealed that local farmers have substantial knowledge on climate variabilities and risks and also are aware of some adaptation strategies. However, for wide scale adoption of effective strategies, capacity strengthening appeared a prerequisite.

scholarly journals El Nino-Southern Oscillation Influences on Food Security

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 268
Author(s):  
Olivia Muza
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
El Niño ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
El Niño Southern Oscillation ◽  
El Nino Southern Oscillation ◽  
Strategic Partnerships

El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most recurrent change in climate impacting agriculture productivity and food security. This study investigates ENSO impacts on four cereal crops (maize, millet, sorghum and wheat) using crop production and climate datasets spanning the years 1960-2015. The results of this study reveal that during El Nino (La Nina) maize, sorghum and wheat production decreases (increases) while that of millet increases (decreases). Even though, the correlation is statistically significant for maize only, the outcome is a call to review the macro-food policy taking into account ENSO-related phase effects to redress food insecurity. The study recommends incentives for agricultural productivity including irrigation intensification and small grain value chain development, trade and food security arrangements, income generation opportunities and strategic partnerships for improved food and nutrition security.

METODOLOGÍAS DE MEDICIÓN DE LA SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA NUTRICIONAL EN LA REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Flor Feuermann ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Argentine Republic ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
The Government

ABSTRACT Introduction: food is a human right and a basic need for their subsistence and development. enough food is produced worldwide to supply all inhabitants and satisfy their caloric and nutritional needs. But the mere fact of producing them does not ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all. Therefore, the correct measurement of nutritional food insecurity is essential for a better understanding of this phenomenon, allowing better communication between society, decision-makers and the political agenda. Objectives: analyze the strengths and limitations of the methodologies used to measure nutritional food security in the Argentine Republic between 1984 and 2017. Materials and methods: a systematic review of articles published in five electronic databases was carried out: Scopus, SciELO, PubMed, BVS and Redalyc. The categories analyzed were the nutritional food security measurement methodologies (when people enjoy food security in addition to a healthy environment, as well as adequate health, education and care), with their type of technique, level, duration and dimension evaluated, limitations and strengths. The search terms used were food insecurity, food security, hunger, food sovereignty, food policy, food availability, nutritional programs, nutritional policies and food assistance. Results: after the search, 22 articles were selected for analysis. Conclusions: all the methodologies analyzed take partial aspects. A methodology has not yet been developed that reflects the multisectoral (food, agricultural, governmental, economic, social, etc.) and multidimensional (access, availability, use and stability) nature of the concept of nutritional food security. Having an adequate measurement of nutritional food security is essential to assess the state of nutritional food insecurity in the Argentine Republic, the government policies that are developed under this concept and verify its impact on the health and nutrition of the Argentine population. Key words: food security; food insecurity; hunger; nutrition policy; Argentina.

scholarly journals Elderly Perception of Distance to the Grocery Store as a Reason for Feeling Food Insecurity—Can Food Policy Limit This?

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3191
Author(s):  
Robert Gajda ◽  
Marzena Jeżewska-Zychowicz
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Purchase

The sense of food insecurity in a group of elderly people may be determined by the perception of distance to food outlets. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the perception of food insecurity by the elderly and their perception of the distance between the places of residence and food purchase. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was carried out in 2019–2020 amongst 762 Polish elderly living in Świętokrzyskie and Śląskie Voivodeship. The assessment of the relationships between the perceived food insecurity due to living too far away from the grocery shops and socio-demographic features was performed using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), chi-square tests, and Phi and Cramér’s V coefficients. Too great a distance to the place of food purchase was the cause of a lack of a sense of food security in 20.5% of the study sample, especially in men, people aged 75 and more, people living in a rural environment and people living alone. People reporting a lack of food due to the distance to the place of purchase showed socio-demographic characteristics similar to those of people declaring a lack of a sense of food security. Reduced food consumption due to the distance from the place of sale, including of fish (24.8%), some fruits (18.9%) and vegetables (15.4%) and beef (17.3%), may contribute to the deterioration of the diet and, as a result, health conditions. Including access to places of the sale of food in food policy as a factor contributing to ensuring the food security of older people can help to maintain a better quality of life and avoid exclusion. Especially in a situation of limited independence, food insecurity in elders due to causes other than financial limitations should be a focus of food policy.

From Food Production to Commodity Production in Argentina’s Agricultural Sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 71-87
Author(s):  
Tomás Palmisano
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Food Sovereignty ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Commodity Production

An analysis of the semiotic and productive transformation of food crops under Argentina’s agribusiness model through a study of the diffusion of the term “commodity” in the discourse produced/reproduced by the rural sections of the hegemonic media, combined with statistical data that allow a dialogue between discourse and measurable quantities, concludes that defining the Argentine countryside as a place for commodity production is linked with increasing crop production for export that leads to the erosion of food sovereignty and food security. Un análisis de las transformaciones semióticas y productivas de los frutos de la tierra bajo el modelo argentino de los agronegocios que examina la extensión del término commodity en los discursos producidos/reproducidos por las secciones rurales de los medios gráficos de comunicación hegemónicos, entrecruzado con datos estadísticos para poner en diálogo el nivel del discurso con el de las cantidades medibles, concluye que la consigna que define al campo argentino como un lugar de producción de commodities se imbrica con una tendencia a la intensificación de los cultivos orientados exclusivamente a la exportación y la erosión de la soberanía y seguridad alimentaria.

scholarly journals Comprehensive Review of Growing Food Insecurity in Africa in Terms of Causes, Effects and Solutions: The Nigerian Example

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 629
Author(s):  
Wasiu Olayinka Fawole ◽  
Burhan Özkan
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Security Risks ◽  
Western Africa ◽  
Annual Survey ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Sub Saharan

This study examined the situation of food insecurity in Africa with special emphasis on Nigeria with a view to giving the picture of the trend with respect to causes, effects and possible solutions. The study employed secondary data sourced from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and subsequently compared the results with other previously conducted studies on food security status in Nigeria and few other African countries. Data for the trend of food security between 1990 and 2014 were sourced from FAO. The findings of this study combined with other previously conducted studies revealed that the food insecurity in Nigeria is not only becoming worrisome but frightening. According to the FAO three commonly employed indicators (prevalence of undernourishment, prevalence of food insecurity and number of undernourished people), it was observed that food insecurity in Nigeria continued to rise from 2009 according to the results of the annual survey till 2014. The implication of this is that if the trend is not halted as quickly as possible it is a time bomb that may pose grave security risks and danger to the country and Africa as a whole being the most populous black nation and it is almost certain that any destabilization suffered as a result of hunger in Nigeria is a destabilization of the entire sub-Saharan Africa region considering her enormous population and the strategic place she occupies in the economy of the region especially the western Africa. This paper made some far-reaching recommendations that could halt the trend if judiciously implemented.

scholarly journals Globally Securing Food in an Insecure World – Opportunities and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Right ◽  
Global Food

This paper looks into the necessity of a global governance system for food security from a "humane" side, with a focus on countries and MNCs. It also explores potential mechanisms to drive MNCs involvement in the global governance of food security into a more inclusive path. Furthermore, the paper explores a more sustainable side to globally governing food security. All in all, this paper calls for the reshaping of a global governance system that better matches the root causes of food insecurity, rather than tries to solve hunger with food aid and provision. The solution starts with asking the right questions. The global governance system should adopt a sole human rights framework while addressing food insecurity. It should acknowledge that questions such as “for whose benefit?” is just as important as “how to produce more?”. Although effective, International Governmental Organizations should further consider how global rules affect different people, who will bear the risks, who will get the benefits from changes, who remain disempowered, and whose ability to control is neglected or enhanced. Global food policy should not just be feeding people, but rather feeding them equitably, appropriately, and sustainably. This brings about a new global food regime that’s integrative of the human right to food.

scholarly journals New Findings on Food Security, Climate Change and Income Growth in West African Countries: P-VAR Approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (31) ◽  
pp. 241
Author(s):  
Olabode Philip Olofin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
West African ◽  
Income Growth ◽  
Panel Var ◽  
African Countries ◽  
New Findings

This paper examines empirically the interaction among per capita income growth, climate change and food security in fifteen West African Countries. We employ Panel VAR (PVAR) techniques on annual secondary data obtained from the World Development Indicator (WDI) between 1990 and 2013. The PVAR approach allows us to address the endogeneity problem by allowing the endogenous interaction among the variables in the system. Our results provide evidence of income growth spurring food security in the short run and reducing it in the long run, while climate change increased food insecurity throughout in West Africa. The study suggests that climate change is a necessary variable that needs to be controlled if food security is a desired goal in West Africa and that more priority should be given to agricultural sector in economic growth. Also, the leaders in West Africa should embrace a judicious and dynamic energy mix that will allow renewable sources to replace fossil fuels.

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