Food and nutrition security in Timor-Leste

This report is a literature review on Food and Nutrition Security in Timor-Leste based on data from surveys conducted by the Timor-Leste National Statistics Directorate, as well as from national and international organizations working in Timor-Leste. This review was supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)-funded project “Strategy for Investment in Fisheries in East Timor”. This report describes the current food and nutrition situation in Timor-Leste for the purpose of planning and implementing interventions aimed at improving food and nutrition security, especially within aquatic agricultural systems. The potential role of aquaculture in improving food and nutrition security is considered, with reference to the recently endorsed Timor-Leste National Aquaculture Development Strategy (2012-2030) developed by the National Directorate of Fisheries and Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Effect of climate variables on yield of major food-crops in Nepal -A time-series analysis-

Climate change influences crop yield vis-à-vis crop production to a greater extent in countries like Nepal where agriculture depends largely on natural circumstances. Plausible scenarios of climate change like higher temperatures and changes in precipitation will directly affect crop yields. Therefore, this study assesses the effect of observed climate variables on yield of major food-crops in Nepal, namely rice, wheat, maize, millet, barley and potato based on regression model for historical (1978-2008) climatic data and yield data for the food-crops. The yield growth rate of all the food-crops is positive. However, the growth rate for all crops, except potato and wheat, is below population growth rate during the period. Climate variables like temperature and precipitation are the important determinants of crop yields. Trend of precipitation is neither increasing nor decreasing significantly during this period. However, temperature is increasing by 0.7 0C during the period. Climate variables show some influences on the yield of these major food-crops in Nepal. Increase in summer rain and maximum temperature has contributed positively to rice yield. Also, increase in summer rain and minimum temperature has positive impact on potato yield. However, increase in summer rain and maximum temperature adversely affected the yield of maize and millet. Increase in wheat and barley yield is contributed by current trend of winter rain and temperature. Consideration of spatial variation in similar type of study in Nepal that will be helpful in identifying the region more vulnerable to climate change in terms of crop yield is highly recommended.Climate variables; temperature; rainfall; food-crops; Nepal

Agro-Ecological Zones and their Impact on Farm Production and Farm Organization after Privatization in Azerbaijan.

The privatization of agriculture in Azerbaijan started in the mid 1990s, while the pace of privatization in the country differs. Some Rayons have privatized almost all of the former state-owned agricultural land while others hold a wait and see strategy. The agricultural administration observes the recent agricultural development with suspicion. Specifically, there are concerns about the decrease in wheat production in the area and about a possible collapse of agriculture production in general. In addition to the perceived changes in agriculture production there are obvious problems on the management of natural resources, which may have an impact on farm production. In this paper we present the results of a combined natural resources and farm household survey conducted during the first six month of the year 2000 in Sagatalla Rayon. The results show the Rayon can be divided into five agro-ecological zones. Agriculture is concentrated in two zones. Average farm income was higher among the households farming in the less favorable agricultural zone, while on a hectare basis the average gross margin for major crops was higher in the more favorable agro-ecological zone. Households without off-farm income opportunities were the losers of privatization. The results further show that wheat production cannot compete with other annual crops like tobacco, maize and vegetables. Further results on net- benefits of improved natural resource management and implications for regional agriculture policies will be discussed.agriculture production, agro-ecological zones, Azerbaijan, household income, privatization,

The impact of sanctions against North Korea on humanitarian aid

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) has been a recipient of international humanitarian aid from international organisations (IOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) since 1995. In recent years, multilateral and unilateral sanctions in response to the DPRK’s nuclear programme have created a new layer of difficulty for humanitarians looking to engage with the authoritarian state. This paper explores how sanctions are affecting humanitarian work in practice, utilising interviews with practitioners. The research first surveys documentation, particularly from IOs, to establish how humanitarians understand contemporary need inside the country. Next, this paper examines the impacts of sanctions on aid efforts, with a particular focus on multilateral United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions and unilateral American measures. Unpacking humanitarian challenges and potential ways to navigate the sanctions regime provides a foundation for academics and humanitarian practitioners to better understand both the DPRK and possible avenues for principled, effective aid

400 Miles or Less: The Case for Local Food Procurement Policies in U.S. Schools

In the United States, the growing prevalence of overweight and obese children is of public health importance. Since the early 1980s, prevalence has more than tripled and presently, approximately 1 in 5 children are living with obesity. Because nearly half of all calories consumed by children occur during the school day, policy interventions on the school level present a significant opportunity for impact. A primary factor with regard to obesity is diet, and consuming healthier, fresher foods positively impact child health. This essay recommends adopting a local food procurement policy as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). A general search for local food procurement policies in the Growing Good Food Connections Policy database was conducted, as well as a review of jurisdictions that have adopted the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) model standards to form a representative sample. The GFPP model is based on five values – local economies, nutrition, valued workforce, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare – and promotes procuring local, fresh foods. In summary, schools that have adopted a local food procurement policy find students choose healthy, fresh food options while in school and consume, on average, more fruits and vegetables. A brief review of Brazil as a global leader in school feeding programs and its utilization of local food further supports adopting a local food procurement policy and can be used to inform the U.S. as it builds a coalition in support of a national food policy and local food procurement policy. This essay concludes with three recommendations. First, the U.S. must develop a national food policy so all food, agriculture, and nutrition laws, policies, and regulations can be integrated and coordinated across all departments and agencies in the government. Second, a standard or uniform procurement policy based on existing programs and models must be established. Finally, the U.S. must adopt a local food procurement policy for the NSLP through the legislative process. Adopting a local food procurement policy will promote healthy eating behaviors in schools and positively impact child health by decreasing the prevalence of overweight and obese children in the U.S

Understanding sustainable diets: a descriptive analysis of the determinants and processes that influence diets and their impact on health, food security, and environmental sustainability

The confluence of population, economic development, and environmental pressures resulting from increased globalization and industrialization reveal an increasingly resource-constrained world in which predictions point to the need to do more with less and in a “better” way. The concept of sustainable diets presents an opportunity to successfully advance commitments to sustainable development and the elimination of poverty, food and nutrition insecurity, and poor health outcomes. This study examines the determinants of sustainable diets, offers a descriptive analysis of these areas, and presents a causal model and framework from which to build. The major determinants of sustainable diets fall into 5 categories: 1) agriculture, 2) health, 3) sociocultural, 4) environmental, and 5) socioeconomic. When factors or processes are changed in 1 determinant category, such changes affect other determinant categories and, in turn, the level of “sustainability” of a diet. The complex web of determinants of sustainable diets makes it challenging for policymakers to understand the benefits and considerations for promoting, processing, and consuming such diets. To advance this work, better measurements and indicators must be developed to assess the impact of the various determinants on the sustainability of a diet and the tradeoffs associated with any recommendations aimed at increasing the sustainability of our food system

On-Farm Activities and Households Food Security in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Objectives of the study were to measure status of household food security, to measure the severity levels of household food insecurity, and to analyze factors affecting on-farm activities. In the study multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select 5 kebeles and 140 sample households out of 23 kebeles of the study area. Primary data were collected through structured interview schedule, key informants interview, focus group-discussions and direct observation. Various documents were also reviewed to collect the secondary data. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analyzed through generalization summarization and categorization. Household food security was measured using calorie consumption method. A binary logit model was used to analyze factors affecting on-farm activities. The findings of the study revealed that about 57% of the rural households were food insecure and 43% were food secure. A total of eleven explanatory variables were included in the model from which seven variables showed a significant effect on household food security.  The estimated model correctly predicted 92.1% of the total sample households. To estimate the extent of food insecurity FGT index was used. Accordingly, the incidence of food insecurity, food insecurity gap and severity of food insecurity were found to be 57%, 24% and 11.67%, respectively. Keywords: Food security, on-farm activities, binary logistic regression model, incidence of food insecurity, food insecurity gap, severity of food insecurity, FGT index

Effects of covid-19 outbreak lockdown on food supply in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effects of covid-19 outbreak lockdown on food supply in Ilorin South Local Government Area, kwara State. The purpose of this study was to investigate if: (i) covid-19 lockdown will change the purchase pattern of food supply in Ilorin South Local Government Area, kwara State,  (ii) covid-19 lockdown will reduce the amount of nutritious food consume by people in Ilorin South Local Government Area, kwara State. A descriptive research of the survey type was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised of residents in Ilorin South Local Government Area. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select two hundred and twenty-one (221) respondents used for the study.. The research instrument used for this study was a questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three experts in the related field. The reliability of the instrument established through test-retest and result of 0.87r was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings of the study revealed that, Covid-19 lockdown change the purchase patterns of food supply in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara,  and Covid-19 lockdown reduce the amount of nutritious food consume by people in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State. Based on the findings of the study,  it was concluded that, Covid-19 lockdown change the purchase patterns of food, and reduce the amount of nutritious food consume by people in the study area. Therefore, it was recommended that health educators’ practitioners should create more awareness on healthy eating and disseminate information about effective protection measures while shopping

Effect of climate variables on yield of major food-crops in Nepal -A time-series analysis-

Climate change influences crop yield vis-à-vis crop production to a greater extent in countries like Nepal where agriculture depends largely on natural circumstances. Plausible scenarios of climate change like higher temperatures and changes in precipitation will directly affect crop yields. Therefore, this study assesses the effect of observed climate variables on yield of major food-crops in Nepal, namely rice, wheat, maize, millet, barley and potato based on regression model for historical (1978-2008) climatic data and yield data for the food-crops. The yield growth rate of all the food-crops is positive. However, the growth rate for all crops, except potato and wheat, is below population growth rate during the period. Climate variables like temperature and precipitation are the important determinants of crop yields. Trend of precipitation is neither increasing nor decreasing significantly during this period. However, temperature is increasing by 0.7 0C during the period. Climate variables show some influences on the yield of these major food-crops in Nepal. Increase in summer rain and maximum temperature has contributed positively to rice yield. Also, increase in summer rain and minimum temperature has positive impact on potato yield. However, increase in summer rain and maximum temperature adversely affected the yield of maize and millet. Increase in wheat and barley yield is contributed by current trend of winter rain and temperature. Consideration of spatial variation in similar type of study in Nepal that will be helpful in identifying the region more vulnerable to climate change in terms of crop yield is highly recommended

Poverty and Food Insecurity in Nepal A Review

Nepal being the poorest country in the world, poverty remains one of the crucial development agenda in Nepal since it started its development effort in 1956. Therefore, this review paper analyzes the poverty and food insecurity in Nepal. Macro economic indicators of the country i.e., Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate and inflation rate shows that the country is historically a low growth country with inflation rate always higher than the GDP growth rate. Therefore, macroeconomic indicators are not in favorable condition to tackle the overarching problem of poverty incidence in the country. Since 1976/77, poverty incidence is in increasing trend in Nepal. It was only in 2003/04, some progress in reducing poverty was reported, which was mainly due to the significantly higher inflow of remittance compared to earlier years, rapid urbanization, and an increase in non-farm incomes. This resulted not only in the decline in proportion of population suffering from poverty but also decline in the absolute number of population suffering from poverty. However, such decline in incidence of poverty was achieved at the cost of increased inequality.The gini coefficient increased from 0.24 in the year 1984/85 to 0.41 in 2003/04. Imbalanced growth in rural and urban areas could be the reason for increase in gini coefficient. Reduction of poverty in urban areas remains always high compared to that of rural areas. Therefore, poverty incidence remains always the highest in Mid-western and Farwestern rural hills. Also, poverty and food insecurity is the highest among female headed household, dalit and ethnic communities, small landholding households, households engaged in laboring and agriculture. This is mainly due to unequal distribution of resources such as land, social discrepancy, and lack of access to basic social and economic structures. Government has been giving the fi rst priority to the reduction of poverty since eighth five year plan (1992). But the government’s programs are failed to reach the target population. For instance government programs represent less than 10% of the national food deficit. Therefore, besides in-depth analysis of poverty at household level in order to understand location specifi c problem of poverty and food insecurity, expansion of government programs focusing on targeted population is very critical in dealing with the problems of poverty and food insecurity.poverty; food-insecurity; socio-economics; inequality;