scholarly journals ‘One David, Two Goliaths’: Microcredit as a tool for sustainable ecological sanitation and smallholder agriculture in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-40
Author(s):  
Simon Mariwah

This paper examines microcredit as a tool for ecological sanitation (EcoSan) and smallholder agriculture in Ghana. Employing a rapid review approach, and its associated review of existing literature, the paper argues that microcredit for sanitation has been proven to be an effective way (“David”) of dealing with sanitation and agriculture challenges (two “Goliaths”), when directed to the provision of ecological sanitation (compost toilets). Such approach has multiple benefits such as improved sanitation, clean environment, improved crop yield, food security, good health and poverty alleviation. Thus, ecological sanitation is both an economically and environmentally sustainable sanitation option since it has the added benefits of paying for itself through the fertilizer generated as its by-product, thereby improving food security and alleviating poverty as well as protecting the environment in the long run. The paper therefore implores microcredit institutions to engage in diversified lending approach, which seeks to target smallholder agricultural development through ecological sanitation provision. Though attitudes and perceptions have been identified as a major challenge for the acceptance of EcoSan toilets, it is argued that beliefs can be altered or replaced through better community engagement and open discussions about the benefits of EcoSan toilets as well as the relevance of using microcredit as a tool to motivate this change process.

Author(s):  
L. Li ◽  

Being over-dependent on imports, China has been faced with the problem of food insufficiency in recent years.This paper, with the adoption of the indicators of agricultural development and relevant models, aims to explore factors affecting food security in China, in particular, technological elements. The findings demonstrate that technology plays a vital role in improving food production. It is recommended to increase the input of science and technology and improve agricultural mechanization.


Author(s):  
Jessica Fanzo

A major challenge for society today is how to secure and provide plentiful, healthy, and nutritious food for all in an environmentally sustainable and safe manner, while also addressing the multiple burdens of undernutrition, overweight and obesity, stunting and wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, particularly for the most vulnerable. There are considerable ethical questions and trade-offs that arise when attempting to address this challenge, centered around integrating nutrition into the food security paradigm. This chapter attempts to highlight three key ethical challenges: the prioritization of key actions to address the multiple burdens of malnutrition, intergenerational justice issues of nutrition-impacted epigenetics, and the consequences of people’s diet choices, not only for humanity but also for the planet.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 335-344
Author(s):  
Muhammad Waqas Khalid ◽  
Ashar Sultan Kayani ◽  
Jamal Mohammed Alotaibi ◽  
Muhammad Muddassir ◽  
Bader Alhafi Alotaibi ◽  
...  

Higher consumption and increased import requirements for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region can be catered through neighboring trade partners if resources are optimally utilized. The purpose of this research is to analyze the connection between regional trade of SAARC countries and the food security challenges faced by the region. The study uses data from 1990–2018 for Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh to econometrically analyze the determinants of the volume of food trade. The results show that the gross domestic product of importing or exporting countries and foreign direct investment (FDI) have positive impact on regional trade. The bilateral exchange rate between trading partners has a negative impact on the trade volume. The results also showed the absence of a long-run relationship between volume of trade and food security using Johansen’s cointegration test. Our analysis suggests that policy makers should focus on the means for creating favorable environment in Pakistan and India to not only meet the increasing global demands for food but also increasing their competitiveness for high-quality and low-quality priced products in major exports markets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A Wada ◽  
Kimberly Burnett ◽  
Jason J Gurdak

<p>The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is quickly becoming one of the most critical global environmental challenges of the twenty first century. However, WEF systems are inherently complex; they typically are dynamic and span multiple land or agro-ecosystems at a regional or global scale. Addressing this challenge requires a systems approach to optimal and sustainable resource management across multiple dimensions. To that end, using Pajaro Valley (California) as a case study, our research aims to (1) highlight synergies and tradeoffs in food and water production, (2) build a dynamic framework capable of examining intertemporal resource relationships, and (3) detail the steps required to develop incentive-compatible financing of the resulting management plans when benefits are not distributed uniformly across users. Using a stylized model, we find that in the long run, inland growers benefit from the halting of seawater intrusion (SWI) due to overpumping of groundwater. We also calculate that the water provided by the proposed College Lake Multi-Objective Management Program-a plan designed to halt SWI and support sustainable water and agricultural development in the region-will generate net revenue of $40-58 million per year, compared to an annualized cost of less than $3 million. An equal cost-sharing plan would be desirable if the benefit of the project exceeded $1,268 per year for each well owner. Since this may not necessarily be the case for smaller well owners, one possible alternative is to allocate costs in proportion to expected benefits for each user.</p>


THE BULLETIN ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (388) ◽  
pp. 100-107
Author(s):  
Krasnoperova Elena Aleksandrovna, ◽  
◽  
Donnik Irina Mikhailovna, ◽  
Yuldashbayev Yusupzhan Artykovich, ◽  
Leshcheva Marina Genrikhovna, ◽  
...  

The problem of national economic security, which includes guaranteed food provision in the regions, occupies one of the pivotal places in the politics of economically developed countries of the world. Issues of food security and agricultural development should be a priority; without them, all conversations about national security are meaningless. Over the past 20 years, a lot of funds and efforts have been invested in the development of agriculture in Russia, the results of these efforts say it all. Russia has become the largest exporter of food raw, completely covers the needs of the population in chicken eggs, poultry, and pork. Despite significant advances in food security, many problems need to be solved immediately. The problem of food security provision at the federal and regional levels should be approached comprehensively. First of all, it is necessary to comprehend and realize that economic life develops according to its very specific laws, the complex interaction of which, ultimately, determines the state of the economy. The current situation with the position of food security can be assessed as not quite satisfactory. The article outlines the problems of food security in the Chelyabinsk region and the relationship of its tasks, the growth of life expectancy, and the working capacity of the population. Four stages of their duration and features of tasks at each stage are substantiated. The term for the full achievement of food security is designed for 12 years, improving the nutritional structure and increasing its usefulness will increase life expectancy by 8-12 years, which is consistent with state policy in the economic and social spheres.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-94
Author(s):  
Aleksey F. Rogachev ◽  
Anna V. Shokhnekh ◽  
Tamara I. Mazaeva

The purpose of the article is to develop instrumentarium for determination ofthe level of food security. In order to achieve the set goal, the authors use method ofmonitoring and economic & mathematical modeling of manufacture and consumption ofagricultural products. In the process of the research, the authors test this method by theexample of modern Russia and determine the existence of the problem of food security. Inorder to solve this problem, the authors develop recommendations for stabilization ofagricultural production, as a basis of country’s food security. The authors also conductanalysis of agricultural development of developed countries and determine primary tasks,solution of which will stipulate provision of the required level of food security. As a resultof the research, the authors come to the conclusion that the developed recommendationscan be directions of unified state approach to solving the problem of achievement of foodsecurity and formation of agrarian policy. At that, it should be noted that policy which isaimed at achievement of national-level goal cannot be formed without relevantinformational provision. Therefore, agriculture authorities must possess full, high-quality,and actualized information. Elements of state policy in the sphere of achievement of foodsecurity can stipulate achieving indicators which are determined by national doctrine andform optimal level of cooperation of national agriculture production and foreign partners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Tahir Mahmood ◽  
Afaq Ali Muluk ◽  
Seema Zubair

Afghanistan's food security mainly depends on Pakistan's wheat prospect, circumstances, agriculture policies, and market price dynamics. This study explores the price transmission mechanism of the wheat flour and wheat grain between Pakistan and Afghanistan using monthly price pairs from January 2003 through October 2017. The paper investigates the existing knowledge of how Pakistan’s agricultural policy and wheat market affects the wheat market and food security of Afghanistan. The results confirm that the wheat flour price of Pakistan is found to be driving the price of wheat flour of Afghanistan. This implies that wheat flour price of Pakistan evolves independently, and that wheat flour price of Afghanistan balances any divergence in the long-run relationship between the two markets prices. The policy implication is to eradicate transaction costs as well as procuring timely wheat grain and flour, in order to maintain price stability between Pakistan and Afghanistan wheat markets.


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