Institutional analysis of food and agriculture policy in the Caribbean : the case of Saint Lucia

This paper explores how various dimensions of social capital have evolved and been influenced by institutional dynamics in Saint Lucia's domestic agri-food system. Economic and political power was concentrated in the hands of the minority ‘White planter class’ formal governance systems pre-1950, and can still be characterized as monocentric. Research findings support the view that the plantation institution had a strong influence on the export (formal) and domestic (informal) agri-food systems in Saint Lucia. Better bridging institutions in the domestic agri-food sector could help support shared rule-making, decentralization of power, enhanced participation in export agriculture opportunities and healthier rural communities

How do stakeholder interactions influence national food security policy in the Caribbean? : the case of Saint Lucia

In Saint Lucia monocrop (banana) plantation agriculture for commodity export continues to dominate the national and regional agricultural psyche, with minimal policy attention being directed towards developing more locally-oriented food systems involving agricultural diversification. This paper explores the nature of stakeholder interactions in Saint Lucia’s agri-food system and considers some of the implications for food security-related policy outcomes. A ‘top-down’ approach to policy development and implementation is likely to increase conflict and undermine food security. Agricultural cooperatives and research institutes were both identified as key secondary stakeholder groups, playing critical knowledge brokering roles in support of agricultural system innovation

A framework for analyzing institutional gaps in natural resource governance

In this paper we present the Inter-Institutional Gap(IIG) Framework as a novel approach to conceptualizing the often-overlooked interconnectivity of different rule-levels between formal and informal institutions in a resource system. This framework goes beyond the existing concepts of legal pluralism, institutional void, structural hole, and cultural mismatch, each of which offer valuable insights to particular gaps between formal and informal institutions, but do not sufficiently address the interaction at every rule level (i.e. constitutional choice, collective choice and operational choice rules). In order to demonstrate the potential of our framework for better understanding the underlying causes of inter-institutional gaps, we apply it to four case studies that encompass diverse geographical locations, governance scales, and social-ecological systems. Results reveal inter-institutional gaps can be created when there are unintended, unforeseen or hidden gaps between different rule hierarchies in two or more simultaneously operating institutions. More specifically we observe that: i) inter-institutional gaps are co-existing, therefore if a certain gap is identified, other gaps may be expected; ii) certain gaps may reveal latent gaps; and iii) intermediaries may be key to addressing inter-institutional gaps. In many cases, sustainable natural resource management and regulation cannot be achieved without directly addressing the inter-institutional gaps that exist between formal and informal institutions operating in the same resource system. The Framework facilitates analysis and understanding of multi-level governance structures in pursuit of addressing complex natural resource management issues

Trends in food supply, diet, and the risk of non-communicable diseases in three Small Island Developing States: implications for policy and research

IntroductionSmall island developing states (SIDS) are a diverse group of coastal and tropical island countries primarily located in the Caribbean and Pacific. SIDS share unique social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities, high dependency on food imports, and susceptibility to inadequate, unhealthy diets, with high burdens of two or more types of malnutrition. Our objective was to examine trends in food availability, imports, local production, and risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in three SIDS: Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Fiji.MethodsData on food availability, imports, exports, and production was extracted from the Food and Agriculture Organization Database (FAOSTAT), and on overweight, obesity and diabetes prevalence from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration database (NCD-RisC) from 1980 to 2018. Data were collated, graphed, and used to calculate import dependency ratios (IDRs) using Excel and R software.ResultsBetween 1980 and 2018, the availability of calories per capita per day has risen in Fiji and SVG by over 500, to around 3000. In Haiti, the increase is around 200, to a level of 2,200 in 2018, and in all three settings, > 10% of calories in 2018 came from sugar. In Fiji and Haiti, the availability of fruit and vegetables is <400 g per person per day (the minimum intake recommended by WHO). Between 1980 and 2010, both Fiji and SVG experienced high IDRs: around 80% (Fiji) and 65% (SVG). In Haiti, IDR has more than doubled since 1980, to around 30%. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > 30 Kg/m2) has increased since 1980 (by 126% to 800%) and is substantially higher in women. In the most recent data for Fiji, an estimated 35% of women are obese (24% men); in SVG, 30% women (15% men); and in Haiti, 26% women (15% men).ConclusionThe increase in per capita availability of calories, which has taken place since 1980, is concurrent with an increase in IDR, a loss of local food, and increases in obesity prevalence. These findings highlight the importance of further research to understand the drivers of food supply transformations, and to influence improving nutrition, through production, availability, and consumption of nutritious local foods

Addressing food and nutrition insecurity in the Caribbean through domestic smallholder farming system innovation

Structural conditions underlying the development of CARICOM’s two-tiered agricultural innovation system depict diverse drivers of change over time, versus institutional inertia of export-oriented formal institutions and the neglect of informal domestic markets. Key principles of taking an agroecological approach would include: supporting diversity and redundancy, building connectivity, managing slow variables and feedbacks, improving understanding of socioecological systems as complex adaptive systems, and encouraging polycentric governance systems. In this paper, we review the conditions that have been undermining sustainable food and nutrition security in the Caribbean, focusing on issues of history, economy, and innovation

Connecting the dots: building social resilience to support sustainable food security policy in the Caribbean

Caribbean nations are grappling with a wide range of complex social and ecological challenges related to household food and nutrition insecurity, including high non-communicable disease rates, rapid environmental change and a steady decline in rural communities. Recognizing the significance and complexity of these challenges, this dissertation begins with a detailed review of the conditions that have served to undermine efforts to achieve sustainable food and nutrition security outcomes in the Caribbean, focusing on issues of history, economy and innovation. The concept of social resilience subsequently emerges as operating at the pivot of human-nature interactions in the region, cutting across three intersecting policy domains: 1) smallholder farming systems, 2) global environmental change, and 3) food security. Building on this conceptual framework, the remaining dissertation explores how various dimensions of social resilience influence sustainable smallholder agricultural system innovation in the nation of Saint Lucia, a typical small island developing state in the Caribbean Community. First, focussing on the persistent challenge of low innovation and coordination among smallholder farmers in Saint Lucia, an adapted Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework is used to analyze the various roles played by formal and informal institutions in the export and domestic agriculture and food systems (pre-1950 and post 1950). The results suggest a need for more 'bridging' institutions in Saint Lucia's food and agriculture sector that could help support shared rule-making, the decentralization of power, and reciprocal knowledge flows in support of smallholder innovation. A combined Stakeholder Analysis and Social Network Analysis is then used to explore the nature of the stakeholder interactions surrounding the development of Saint Lucia's 2009-2015 National Agricultural Policy and consider some of the implications for food and agriculture-related policy outcomes. Results reveal a potential role for "boundary" organizations in the policy network, designed to facilitate a transition towards more flexible and adaptive institutions, enhanced knowledge exchange and learning, and greater trust among stakeholders. Turning to the challenge of supporting knowledge exchange and innovation among smallholder farmers at the community-level, Social Network Analysis is then used to assess the interactions between households producing fresh food for the domestic market in two rural communities. The results reveal how different forms of social capital can affect self-reported farmer innovation in different contexts, offering insights for policy that seeks to better support, coordinate and enhance smallholder innovation systems in Saint Lucia. This dissertation provides important empirical evidence in support of creating and designing more sensitive, adaptive, locally-specific and culturally relevant agriculture and food system policies in the Caribbean.Les nations caribéennes font face à un grand nombre de défis sociaux et écologiques complexes liés à l'insécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle des ménages, tels que d'importants taux de maladies non transmissibles, des changements environnementaux rapides, et le déclin des communautés rurales. Tenant compte de l'importance et de la complexité de ces défis, cette thèse débute par une revue détaillée des conditions ayant perturbé les efforts visant à atteindre une sécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle durable dans les Caraïbes, en se concentrant sur les aspects liés à l'histoire, l'économie et l'innovation. Il en ressort que le concept de résilience sociale opère comme un pivot des interactions homme-nature dans la région, à la croisée de trois domaines d'action : 1) les systèmes agricoles de petits producteurs, 2) les changements environnementaux globaux, et 3) la sécurité alimentaire. En s'appuyant sur ce cadre conceptuel, la suite de la thèse explore comment les diverses dimensions de la résilience sociale peuvent influencer l'innovation durable dans les systèmes agricoles de petits producteurs à Sainte-Lucie, petit État insulaire en développement typique de la Communauté des Caraïbes.Tout d'abord, en se concentrant sur le problème persistant des faibles niveaux d'innovation et de coordination entre les petits producteurs à Sainte-Lucie, un cadre adapté de celui de l'Analyse et du Développement Institutionnels (IAD framework) est utilisé pour analyser les différents rôles joués par les institutions formelles et informelles dans les systèmes alimentaires et agricoles domestiques et d'exportation (avant 1950 et de 1950 à 2010). Les résultats révèlent le besoin de davantage d'institutions « passerelles » dans le secteur de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture de Sainte-Lucie, qui pourraient aider à soutenir l'élaboration de règles partagées, la décentralisation du pouvoir, et les flux réciproques de connaissances en appui à l'innovation chez les petits producteurs. L'utilisation combinée de l'analyse des parties prenantes et de l'analyse des réseaux sociaux permet ensuite d'explorer la nature des interactions entre parties prenantes impliquées dans le développement de la politique agricole nationale de Sainte-Lucie entre 2009 et 2015, et d'étudier certaines implications concernant les effets des politiques liées à l'agriculture et à l'alimentation. Les résultats mettent en évidence le rôle potentiel des organisations « passerelles » dans le réseau politique, conçues pour faciliter la transition vers des institutions plus flexibles et plus adaptables, l'augmentation des échanges de connaissances et de l'apprentissage, ainsi qu'une plus grande confiance entre parties prenantes. Afin d'aborder l'enjeu de soutenir les échanges de connaissances et l'innovation parmi les petits producteurs à l'échelle de la communauté, l'analyse des réseaux sociaux est ensuite utilisée pour évaluer dans deux communautés rurales les interactions entre les ménages de petits producteurs produisant des aliments frais pour le marché intérieur. Les résultats révèlent la façon dont les différentes formes de capital social peuvent affecter les innovations telles que décrites par les agriculteurs dans différents contextes, offrant des éléments de compréhension pour les politiques visant à mieux soutenir, coordonner et améliorer les systèmes d'innovation à Sainte-Lucie.Cette thèse fournit des résultats empiriques importants permettant de créer, concevoir et ré-imaginer des politiques liées aux systèmes agricoles et alimentaires dans les Caraïbes, qui soient à la fois plus réceptives, adaptables, spécifiques localement et pertinentes au plan culturel

Food insecurity in Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago using the food insecurity experience scale

Economic, political, humanitarian and health crises in Venezuela have resulted in mass out migration -thousands of Venezuelans emigrated to Trinidad and Tobago. However, little is known about their food security status in the host country. This study assessed the food security status among Venezuelan migrants and asylum seekers in Trinidad and Tobago and tested the validity of the online application of the food insecurity experience scale (FIES), a tool to measure food insecurity, in a small group. This convenience, cross-sectional study applied an online questionnaire to 433 Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago in 2020. Snowball sampling was used to connect to migrants based on their access to locally-based NGO service providers, and organizations directly connected to the Venezuelan migrant community. Researchers applied the 12-month reference period to the FIES to measure food insecurity at the individual level. Descriptive analyses, Rasch modeling and binary logistic regression were conducted. Overall, 61.9% of respondents displayed behaviors characterized as severely food insecure. Significant differences in food security status were observed when categories of employment status (p = 0.032) and paying rent (p = 0.005) were considered. There were greater proportions of unemployed individuals who were severely food insecure (67.6%) compared to those who were employed (56.7%). There were greater proportions of individuals paying rent who were severely food insecure (62.6%) compared to those who were not paying rent (50.0%). Logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals revealed that food insecurity was less likely among migrants who were employed (OR 0.112, 95% CI 0.016–0.763) relative to those who were not employed, while food insecurity was more likely among migrants who were paying rent (OR 7.325, 95% CI 1.965–27.312) relative to those not paying rent. The FIES was consistent in assessing food security status. These findings provide a rapid assessment that can be used to galvanize international, national and community-level stakeholders to devise and target responses to assist migrants experiencing food insecurity