Family Food Security Research Articles

Socio economic characteristics of cricket farmers in Lake Victoria region of Kenya

Crickets require fewer inputs like water and feed but provide higher output per cubic unit of agricultural land compared to other livestock. They also contain important macro and micronutrients and therefore have potential to enhance a sustainable food and nutrition security for vulnerable families. Social-cultural systems and economic situations may shape the adoption of crickets as a mini-livestock among rural farm families in Kenya. An understanding of the socio-economic characteristics of practicing farmers in Kenya will enhance an understanding of the factors that shape the adoption of crickets as a mini-livestock among rural farm families and promote sustainable cricket production models in Kenya. This study determined the socio-economic status of cricket farmers in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya. Purposive sampling technique was used to select practicing cricket farmers. Data on age, income levels, and cricket farming experience, education, household size, land size and ownership was collected from interviews, focus group discussions and personal observations. Qualitative data on the socio-economic characteristics of cricket farmers were transcribed, coded, and analysed for emerging issues. The study results showed that the majority (71%), of the cricket farmers were females who were between the ages 30 and 49 years of age, had four years of experience in cricket farming and with secondary-level and primary education. The average household size of cricket farmers was 5–6 individuals. The cricket farmers also engaged in small-scale crop and livestock production with an average monthly income of approximately USD50. The study concludes that variations in socio-economic factors as well as socio-cultural insights affect the cricket farmer’s ability to uniformly adopt cricket farming innovations for optimised cricket production. The findings of this study should be considered during the implementation of strategies to upscale cricket farming in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya as well as in the rest of the country. More specifically, strategies as subsidized training, and a more comprehensive sensitization and follow-up to encourage more men into the venture, are required.

Contribution of sustainable food house area to income and family food security in Tulang Bawang Barat, Lampung Province

This study aims to determine the implementation of the sustainable food house area program, contribution of the program to family income of farmer women’s group, and analyze the food security of KWT members in Tulang Bawang Barat Regency. The research was conducted in five groups of women farmers in Margodadi, Marga Kencana, Tirta Makmur, Tirta Kencana, and Mulya Asri Villages. Data were collected in December 2019. Data were collected using survey methods and direct interviews in the field. The sampling method was carried out deliberately (purposive sampling); as many as 62 people were interviewed by visiting the respondent’s house. The results showed that the implementation of the program was seen from the development of village nurseries, development of demonstration plot plots, and development of farmer women’s group members’ yards. The income women’s group’s income the yard utilization program for one year ranges from IDR 2,565,600 - IDR 6,930,000. Family food security of KWT members subjectively categorized in the medium category from the adequacy of family food availability of KWT members, food distribution in the family is quite good, and aspects of family food consumption are also quite good. The affordability of families to get food is quite relatively. Women farmer groups’ knowledge is already good about the food the body needs in the right composition. It is present in all types of food that are useful for health, in consuming family food by taking into account the quality and quantity of food they consume..

Can smallholder’s oil palm income contribute to household expenses during replanting?

Oil palm has increased welfare and food security for low-income families in Indonesia. In Jambi Province, the independent smallholders own most farms. However, the land area of old or damaged crops reaches 43.38% of the total area. It requires smallholders to perform replanting to avoid a decrease in productivity and income. The research objectives are: 1) describing oil palm replanting in Sungai Bahar Sub-District, Muaro Jambi Regency, 2). analyzing the Amount of smallholder’s income and 3) Predicting the contribution of smallholder’s income to household living expenditure during the period of replanting. This research was conducted by a descriptive and quantitative method. The results showed a replanting oil palm farm area of 1,96 hectares. Prior to replanting, palm oil farming income was IDR 4,229,530/month. After replanting when crops had not generated, smallholders’ income of IDR 1,239,486/month sourced from the cultivation of food crops, namely corn, chili, and peanut. If the household expenses of IDR 2,613,542 per month, then the income from the plantation of horticultural plants or food plants contributes 47.42 percent. It indicates the utilization of palm oil upright land before the crop yield becomes one of the policies considered into question as a contributor to household income.

Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) does not support "Public Charge Rule" changes affecting immigrants' food security.

Federal nutrition assistance programs, especially the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are an important safety net for households in the USA. Although few immigrant households are eligible for SNAP, those who need the program are less likely to participate than nonimmigrant households. Documented barriers to participation include language challenges and anti-immigrant rhetoric. However, previous research indicates that when immigrant households do participate in SNAP, their young children experience less food insecurity and the household as a whole makes fewer tradeoffs between food and other necessities. The Public Charge Rule limits ability to obtain a green card based on participation in public assistance programs. A recent change to this rule added programs to include some noncash programs, including SNAP. Although the vast majority of immigrants who are subject to the Public Charge Rule are not eligible for SNAP, misunderstanding of the rule and fear threaten to reduce SNAP enrollment and consequently increase food insecurity in immigrant families. Spillover effects may occur for families not targeted by changes in the Public Charge Rule as well as decreasing access to other safety net programs that are not impacted by the proposed changes, such as The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and school meals programs. In order to support the food security of immigrant families in the USA, we recommend that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State remove all non-cash safety net programs from the Public Charge Rule.

Supporting food security for Indigenous families through the restoration of Indigenous foodways

Indigenous families are overrepresented among those within Canada who experience food insecurity. Studies have largely focused on northern populations, with less attention paid to southern and urban communities, including the social, cultural, and geographic processes that challenge food security. In this study, we present findings from a decade‐long community‐based study with the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (London, Ontario) to examine family perspectives related to the social determinants of food security. These topics were explored through qualitative interviews (n = 25) and focus groups (n = 2) with First Nation mothers with young children from the city of London, and a nearby reserve community. Interviewees from both geographies identified a number of socio‐economic challenges including household income and transportation. However, some interviewees also shed light on barriers to healthy eating unique to these Indigenous contexts including access issues such as a lack of grocery stores on‐reserve; loss of knowledge related to the utilization of traditional foods; and the erosion of community, familial, and social supports. Resolving these unique determinants of food security for urban and reserve‐based First Nation families will require a range of economic and culturally specific interventions, particularly those that support development and uptake of Indigenous foodways.

MANAGEMENT OF CONSERVATION AREAS WITH PARTICIPATION OF COMMUNITIES IN MOZAMBIQUE

This article discusses the challenges of managing conservation areas; in search of new institutional instruments and mechanisms that make effective conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems in protected areas. The management of conservation areas in some countries has been made from a growing demand for involvement of stakeholders and communities in decision-making in the process of managing natural resources. There are three issues surrounding the debate on participatory management of conservation areas, namely: the distribution of authority and responsibilities in the decision-making process; distribution of benefits and sustainability (ecological, social and economic). The main reasons that justify the management of these areas with the participation of communities are: the restriction on access to resources can compromise the food security of families living there and; it is a prerequisite for communities to be able to carry out their activities, to set up joint enterprises with them, or other forms of management that make their participation effective. The analytical approach was based on the theory of natural resource management and complemented by recent contributions from research in the areas of political sociology, poverty and the environment on the phenomenon of "participation". The local dimension, although the integrative synthesis between the natural and the human, historically and spatially located, makes essential a participatory management of conservation areas in countries such as Mozambique, because it allows the understanding and transformation of social relations that are carried out from a certain mode of production and organization established in a defined space of protection and conservation.

QUINTAIS AGROFLORESTAIS: ESTRUTURA, COMPOSIÇÃO E ORGANIZAÇÃO SOCIOPRODUTIVA

Os quintais agroflorestais são representações de sistemas diversificados, fundamentados em conhecimentos tradicionais, sendo o manejo pautado em saberes agroecológicos, que abrangem o modo de vida do agricultor. Desse modo, o objetivo foi avaliar a estrutura, composição e a organização socioprodutiva de quintais agroflorestais em comunidades rurais do município de Igarapé Açu, Pará. O estudo foi realizado em dez quintais agroflorestais, localizados nas comunidades do Triângulo, São Jorge do Jabuti, Limão e Dezesseis, localizadas no município de Igarapé-Açu. A metodologia baseou-se em formulários, entrevistas semiestruturadas, técnica turnê guiada, bola de neve e observação direta. Constatou-se que os quintais agroflorestais eram compostos, principalmente, por espécies agrícolas, medicinais e florestais, com expressiva diversidade e distribuição desuniforme. O componente animal mais frequente foram as aves, mantidas com o intuito de assegurar a soberania e segurança alimentar das famílias.

The utilization of coffee waste in supporting family food security

Coffee is one of the leading commodities traded in the world and is a mainstay commodity for farmers in mountainous areas. The research objective is to increase the added value of the part of the coffee plant to increase income and food security for farmer families. The research was conducted in the Pupuan-Tabanan Bali robusta coffee agroforestry area, Januari 2017 to December 2020. Methods of data collection using the method of observation and discussion with the main actors who produce coffee in addition to seed study activities with the use of pruned water shoots from clone maintenance BP 308. Data analysis was carried out quantitatively and qualitatively. The results showed that the added value besides dry beans was obtained from water shoots, remaining productive pruning, unproductive old coffee, branches and twigs, and shade pruning. The yields of economic value are in the form of super cuttings, activated charcoal, exotic pots, and quality organic fertilizers from coffee skins, each of IDR 7,500,000; 120,000; 792,000; and 150,000.

Job Loss and Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutritious eating habits contribute to a stronger immune system necessary for prevention and easier recovery from illnesses. A job loss, experienced by millions of Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to negatively affect food security of families. This research explores the effect of a recent job loss during the Covid-19 crisis on food sufficiency. The findings suggest that a job loss in the family is associated with greater food insecurity, reduced likelihood that a family has a sufficient amount of food, and deteriorated child nutrition. There is also a differential effect between currently employed and unemployed job losers, with the latter group being more adversely affected. The negative effect is primarily driven by Hispanic and low-educated individuals. These results have policy implications in the context of identifying vulnerable groups that are most likely to benefit from programs designed to provide sufficient nutrition to the population.

Community Participation in the Development of Urban Farming in Yogyakarta City

The optimal yard utilization would support the family’s food independence a well-managed yard will provide benefits in improving family food self-sufficiency, nutrition, increasing family income, and making a beautiful, picturesque, and comfortable home environment. Efforts to build family food security in urban areas can be carried out through yard utilization on a narrow land. This study aims to determine the urban yard utilization and the members’ participation in it. The research was conducted in Bausasran Subdistrict in Yogyakarta City, employing a descriptive analysis method with 40 samples of Women Farmer Groups’ members. The research results revealed that community participation in urban yard utilization activities was classified as active. The community’s active participation was indicated by the existence of “Kampung Sayur Bausasran”, developed by establishing nursery gardens, creating group gardens, making vegetable aisles, cultivating medicinal plants, cultivating horticultural crops, and catfish farming. Vegetable villages can provide good results for community economic empowerment if managed optimally.

COMMUNITY MOVEMENT IN INDEPENDENT VEGETABLE GROWING TO INCREASE HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY DURING THE PANDEMIC

The increase in the Covid-19 second wave in Indonesia has made the government implement a stricter policy to implement Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). This activity aims to provide actionable solutions to maintain family food security through the community movement to grow vegetables. The method used in this activity is the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method which begins with FGD, counseling, and field practice. The activity implementer can become a facilitator and directly facilitate the community carrying out activities. The empowerment program was carried out in Kepuharjo Village, Malang Regency, with the main target being housewives. As a result of this activity, participants who attended the FGD and the facilitator decided to create a community movement in independent vegetable growing to stay productive during the pandemic. Community movement was conducted for two weeks, during which the activity implementation team provided all materials, planting media, and seeds. During the two weeks running, 53 housewives grew vegetables independently. Based on the evaluation results, this activity is very effective and efficient for household food fulfillment. Ninety-seven percent of homemakers say that they can increase their food needs with this movement, so they don't have to buy. Of course, it has an impact on saving household expenses. As many as 90 percent of homemakers do this activity and repeat it after harvest. So that the continuity of this activity can run well, besides decreasing spending, this activity can also improve health by producing healthier vegetables.

ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI ANGKA KECUKUPAN ENERGI RUMAH TANGGA PETANI DI KABUPATEN KLATEN

The energy intake consumed by a person will affect the health of each individual. The energy adequacy figure for household consumption is also used as a reference for the value of family food security. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that affect the energy adequacy rate of farmer households in Klaten Regency. The location of the research was carried out deliberately in Klaten Regency because this area is a rice producer in Central Java. The samples used were farmers in the independent food village of Klaten Regency. This research uses descriptive analytical method with multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that there are four variables that influence the energy adequacy rate, namely the education of the head of the farmer household, rice consumption, consumption of tempe and nutritional knowledge by the farm-housewife. Keywords: Consumption, Energy Adequacy Rate, Farmers

Kapasitas Petani Padi Sawah Dalam Mendukung Ketahanan Pangan Keluarga Berkelanjutan Di Kabupaten Pandeglang

This study aims to analyze the level of farmer capacity in managing lowland rice farming in Pandeglang district and the determinants that can influence the capacity building of lowland rice farmers in supporting family food security in Pandeglanag Regency. The population in this study were lowland rice farmers who were in the research location. The research location was in three districts, namely Munjul, Sobang and Panimbang districts. The research design used qualitative and quantitative approaches involving 144 respondents representing three districts, the data collected were primary data and secondary data. Primary data were collected through interviews using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, observation and documentation study. The data consists of the characteristics of the respondent (ξ1); Technological innovation (ξ2); Extension activities (ξ3); Capacity (η1); and Family food safety (η2). The selection of respondents was carried out by proportional random sampling (proportionally random sampling) based on the research criteria. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, one way ANOVA and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that the capacity of lowland rice farmers was in the medium category. The element that most influenced the capacity level was the respondent's characteristic of 0.81 (76.25 percent) through land tenure and farming experience. Meanwhile, extension activities only contributed 0.07 (2.3 percent) through indicators of extension methods and intensity. Meanwhile, technological innovation still has a negative effect on the capacity of farmers in increasing family food security. In general, the capacity of lowland rice farmers has high support for family food security, especially in indicators of consumption levels and food sustainability.

Urban Farming Program For Women PKK Manang Village To Improve Family Food Security Value In The Era Of The Pandemi Transition Covid-19

Food is indeed one of the mandatory things that must be fulfilled. However, the current condition of thepopulation growth which continues to increase is not accompanied by an increase in agricultural land sothat the available food stock may one day be insufficient. This makes a food problem which is closelyrelated to food security. PKK mothers are people who think about food for their families so that they havea huge influence. The decline in the amount of land and reduced food stocks in the era of the Covid-19pandemic because people flocked to buy large amounts of food stocks became a problem that was raisedin this community service program. The aim of this program is to introduce urban farming methods thatcan be done in empty house areas to increase food access to increase the value of family food security. Themethod used in the community service program was the online extension method and then carried out theurban farming practice which was carried out by one of the PKK mothers in Manang Village. It is hopedthat this example can become a role model for the people around him. The results of the community serviceprogram that have been carried out have improved the skills of PKK Manang Village women in cultivatingplants in the area of their home yard that is still empty or not in use. The existence of planting crops thatcan be harvested can meet food needs so that from the dimension of accessibility to food security it can befulfilled properly.

Complementary Feeding Practices During COVID-19 Outbreak in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and Its Related Factor.

Indonesia still faces a challenge in achieving an appropriate complementary feeding (CF) practice for the child aged 6 to 24 months. However, this condition became more critical due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) outbreak. The social limitation policy, market disruption, and changes in income may change the state of family food security and altering child CF practices. Besides, infant age, mother education and occupation, information availability, and CF knowledge may also affect the practice. Therefore, we aimed to explore the CF practice and its related factors during the COVID-19 outbreak through an online cross-sectional study of the mothers of children aged 6 to 24 months in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. The results showed that a child's age (P = .019), household food security (P = .006), and mother's CF knowledge (P = .002) had an association with CF practices. We concluded that a child's age, household food security, and mother's CF knowledge are the determinant factors for appropriate CF practices during the outbreak.

A caça e os caçadores Tapirapé da Aldeia Tapi’itãwa

O artigo discute a importância da caça no universo do povo Tapirapé. Estudamos as práticas de caça, as cosmologias, os rituais e o processo de formação do homem caçador a partir dos princípios da cultura Tapirapé. A caça exerce papel fundamental na soberania e segurança alimentar das famílias indígenas, sendo o porcão/queixada uma das carnes preferidas, tanto para a alimentação cotidiana como para os rituais e festas. Desenvolvemos o estudo a partir de uma perspectiva etnográfica, com o emprego de entrevistas e observação participante. O estudo foi conduzido na aldeia Tapi’itãwa, em Mato Grosso, durante o período de abril a dezembro de 2018. A caça, por fim, é um universo que envolve questões de ordem material e simbólica, por isso é tão fundamental na cultura e na vida do povo Tapirapé.

Optimising Nutrient Cycles to Improve Food Security in Smallholder Farming Families—A Case Study from Banana-Coffee-Based Farming in the Kagera Region, NW Tanzania

In East Africa, soil nutrient depletion and low yields jeopardise the food security of smallholder farming families and exacerbate poverty. The main reasons for the depletion of soil nutrients are overuse due to population growth, limited land, and increasing uncertainty in agricultural production caused by climate change. This study aims to analyse and optimise nutrient flows and stocks in the homegardens of smallholder banana-coffee-based farming systems in the Kagera region in NW Tanzania. The plant nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in plant-based biomass and organic farm waste are under investigation. We used data from a farm household survey (150 households) and from focus group discussions with 22 trainers who had been training about 750 farm households in sustainable land management (SLM) at a local farmer field school. In total, we identified six farm household types and calculated a nutrient balance (NB) for the homegardens of each household type. The NB was calculated for the following five management scenarios: S0: business as usual; S1: the use of 80% of the available human urine; S2: the incorporation of 0.5 t yr−1 of the herbaceous legume species Crotalaria grahamiana into the soil; S3: the production of 5 m3 yr−1 CaSa-compost (human excreta and biochar) and its application on 600 m2 land; and S4: a combination of S1, S2, and S3. The results show that the NB varies considerably depending on whether farmers have implemented the SLM training, apply nutrient-preserving manure collection and storage methods, and purchase fodder (imported nutrients), or whether they do not collect manure or do not purchase fodder. Trained farm households are more likely to have a positive NB than untrained households because they have already improved the nutrient management of their farms through the successful implementation of SLM practices. Untrained households would improve the NB in their homegardens under all management scenarios. However, the NB depends on labour-intensive manure collection and compost production, labour shortages, prolonged dry seasons, and socio-economic imbalances. As long as these constraints remain, nutrient deficiencies will not be overcome with mineral fertilisers alone, because soils have to be further enriched with organic matter first. In this paper, we also emphasise the importance of the system boundary, because only a complete NB can give an estimate of actual nutrient removal and the resulting nutrient demand (including removals by fodder and trees). Further improvements in the SLM training may be achieved by (i) measuring the current nutrient status of soils, (ii) analysing the need for the coexistence of free-range livestock on the grassland and zero-grazing in trained households, and (iii) conducting an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic differences between successful and unsuccessful households. In conclusion, if smallholder farmers were to integrate further improved SLM training and optimised nutrient management (S1 to S4), we assume that the NB would turn positive. Last but not least, the SLM training by the farmer field school may serve as a best-practice example for training and policy recommendations made by government institutions.

Household food security, anthropometric assessment of nutritional status and socioeconomic status of families in an urban community

Insufficient food production and low incomes are common problems in developing countries, thus perpetuating malnutrition and poverty conditions; establishing food security as an indicator of great impact to estimate the quality of life of families. The objective of this study was to assess the level of food security, nutritional status and socioeconomic status of families in an urban community. 155 families from an urban community of Naguanagua, Carabobo state, Venezuela were evaluated during the months August-September 2018. An ad hoc clinical history was designed, the Household Food Insecurity (FI) Scale was applied, the nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR); as well as the socioeconomic status (Graffar-Méndez Castellano and the Poverty Threshold). 58.1% of families presented mild FI. 19.5% of the pediatric group presented malnutrition, while in adults, overweight and obesity stood out (44.1%); 62.5% presented cardio-metabolic risk for WHtR; 16.4% exhibited low protein reserves and 92.9% of the families were in extreme poverty. Food security was significantly correlated with BMI, WHtR, weight loss, and income. In conclusion, almost the entire sample was found in FI and in extreme poverty.

COMACO, from snares to plowshares: A conservation and human wellbeing success story

AbstractCommunity Markets for Conservation is a private sector, not‐for‐profit social enterprise in Zambia. It was established in 2003 to halt wildlife poaching and illegal tree cutting for charcoal by helping poor rural families to increase their food and income security through improved farming practices and marketing of value‐added agricultural commodities. COMACO supports 178,891 farmers in the Luangwa Valley, providing them with improved farming skills, seed loans, a premium price for their crop surplus, and a dividend if they comply with sustainable farming and wildlife, and forest conservation best practices. Maize yields using COMACO methods increased by 63% and net income was 37% higher than for farmers who purchased inorganic fertilizers. Between 2012 and 2018 the number of food secure families increased from 67–84%. Elephant poaching has declined in all but one COMACO district, poaching is now primarily conducted by nonlocal hunters, and leg‐hold snare detections by community game scouts have decreased significantly in COMACO areas. Increasing food and income security while reducing deforestation and unsustainable hunting for ~$US10 per farmer per year is cheap and can be replicated in Zambia and other nations in Africa.

Penampilan Karakter Hortikultura Beberapa Varietas Tomat Hibrida di Rumah Kaca Dataran Rendah

Urban farming activities are needed to support food security, nutrition, and vitamins for families in urban areas. Information on the characteristics of tomato varieties for urban farming in the greenhouse is still limited. The objective of this research was to evaluate the horticultural characteristics of several hybrid tomato varieties grown in the lowland greenhouse. The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) on 5 hybrid tomato varieties with 3 replications at Gunadarma University’s greenhouse, Depok City, West Java, from October 2018 to January 2019. There were significant differences for all quantitative characters among 5 varieties. Tymoti and Tantyna varieties showed good performance at lowland and had good size for vegetable tomato type. Agatha and Ultima varieties showed a fruit size decreasing to 40% in lowland greenhouse. Rewako variety was not suitable for lowland because of the highest flower dropping and lowest fruit setting. Plant growth, young fruit color, and fruit shape in the longitudinal section are important identification keys of tomato variety.
 Keywords: determinate, indeterminate, Solanum lycopersicum, urban farming