Food Poverty Research Articles

Cultivating care in ‘hidden places’: sweet potatoes, gender, and resistance in Rwanda

An allegedly ‘new’ African Green Revolution (AGR) has begun to transform foodscapes across the continent. A key example of the AGR can be seen in Rwanda, where ambitious agricultural policies aim to replace subsistence farming through programmes of land use consolidation and crop intensification. To date, research on the AGR has focused on proximal outcomes framed by deficiency such as food (in)security and poverty. Little work on the AGR has addressed how African foodways are evolving with respect to care, responsibility, and identity. Based on fieldwork with four rural communities in Rwanda, our paper offers stories that engage diverse meanings and materialities of food amid the rapid agrarian change wrought through the AGR. Specifically, its narratives illuminate the complex reality of how land use consolidation policies in Rwanda have increased and complicated women’s labour and how women have mobilised social-ecological knowledge for resistance. We focus on women’s relationships to one particularly important plant – sweet potatoes – and the spaces of their tangible ecologies and economies alongside their intangible but critical values for care, meaning, and identity. Rwanda’s AGR policies reject their identity as a ‘crop,’ leading women to cultivate them in ‘hidden places’ far from their homes. This paper traces these shifts – from agroecology to intensive monocropping – and the resultant impacts on women’s labour and decision-making related to resource use, access, and management. This paper draws from empirical data collected through 38 semi-structured interviews with women as part of a broader mixed methods study conducted over 20 months to narrate the contested role of sweet potatoes as a meaningful and productive plant/crop and gendered food/commodity.

Nigeria

Nigeria has implemented major reforms over the last 2 years which have improved macroeconomic stability and enhanced resilience. The country successfully tapped the Eurobond market and earned a credit rating upgrade, pointing to improved confidence. Growth has been steady but too low in per-capita terms, and inflation remains high. Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians. Food insecurity and poverty have risen. Half-way through its term, the government is now focused on raising growth, while adapting to the spillovers from the changing global environment.

Less state and more solidarity shops: the Italian method to combat food poverty

While global hunger has decreased, particularly in regions traditionally plagued by malnutrition, recent years have seen a rise in food access challenges in countries previously considered immune to such problems. Italy experienced a significant increase in individuals and families requiring food assistance during and after the pandemic. Nevertheless, the primary response to food poverty has been largely left to religious institutions, which have managed the redistribution of food to the most vulnerable segments of the population. Drawing on recent empirical research, this article presents a critical analysis of Italy’s approach to combating food poverty, with a focus on the key characteristics and the role of support services provided by Catholic organizations.

A three-component decomposition of food poverty dynamics: application with data from Cameroon

A three-component decomposition of food poverty dynamics: application with data from Cameroon

POTENTIAL OF UNDERUTILIZED AMARANTH (Amaranthus spp.) IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION: A REVIEW

Inadequate, affordable, healthy foods, loss of food biodiversity, economic issues, poverty, inequality, climate change, and other important factors drive global food insecurity and nutrition crises. In this context, achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger by 2030 is less likely. Addressing this challenge involves fostering a sustainable food system and diversification of crops, as well as utilizing neglected and underutilized crop species, which are considered highly nutritious and offer various health advantages. Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), categorized as a superfood, is a versatile and drought-resistant crop that contains excellent nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It also provides health-promoting properties due to its abundance in tocopherols, squalene, antioxidants, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Despite the adaptability of amaranth in extreme conditions, nutritional advantages, and health benefits, its exploration and utilization are still limited, especially in food production. Researchers should do more studies to promote amaranth in the food value chain, which may enhance food security and nutrition. The primary aim of this review is to present the potential of amaranth and its components in improving food security and nutrition based on its nutritional compositions, beneficial health effects, and current food applications. Keywords: Amaranth; Underutilized Amaranth; Food Security; Nutrition; Global Food System; Nutrients from Amaranth; Health-Promoting Properties of Amaranth

Determinants of Improved Wheat Varieties’ Adoption in Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistani farmers are reluctant to quickly adopt improved wheat varieties that are inevitable for increasing wheat yield. Majority use the previous year’s farm produce as seeds to save the seed cost but incur opportunity cost in terms potential yield loss. Objective is to estimate the adoption and impact of improved high yielding wheat varieties on rural households’ income food security and poverty levels in Punjab, Pakistan. The determinants of adoption and impact evaluation of IWV (Improved Wheat Varieties) can be assessed using Propensity Score Matching (PSM). The empirical results revealed that there were several constraints to adoption related to human capital, village assets, household assets, infrastructure and institutional support. Most important out of this long list were education, experience, land holding, wheat area sown, land rent, soil quality, land fragmentation, slop, use of laser leveler, agricultural extension services, metal road, availability of credit facility, variety rust resistant, irrigation cost, ZT Drill, seed rate, seed drill, highest education, female farm worker, male farm worker, family members, and location at distributary. Lack of knowledge, education, institutional support, agricultural extension services, as well as household assets drives the adoption of improved wheat varieties.

Strengthening of the Rural Community and Corn Food Chain Through the Application of the WWP Model and the Integration of CFS-RAI Principles in Puebla, México

Strengthening producer groups, the rural community, and agri-food chains are important actions to help solve the problem of food poverty, improve the living conditions of producers and promote sustainable development in rural México. It is necessary to seek new ways to improve decision-making by producer groups and establish some principles to strengthen the different links in agri-food chains. The objective of this study was to analyze the integration of the Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture (PRIA) in the corn agri-food chain in order to assess its strengthening. A study was carried out in three cases based on the application of the “Working With People” (WWP) model as well as interviews with key actors. It was found that cooperating groups with a higher degree of application of the WWP model and PRIAs have a higher degree of stability and sustainable development and strengthen the integration and cooperation of local action groups. These groups have the technical component better organize the agri-food processes and better incorporate the PRIAs and improve their economic, social, and environmental development compared to other groups that do it in a traditional way.

Hungry no More? The Joint Impact of Minimum Wages and the Earned Income Tax Credit on Food Insecurity.

In this study, we provide evidence on the combined effect of state minimum wages and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits on food insecurity. Using data from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS) between 2001 and 2019 and a sample of individuals with at most a High School degree, we estimate difference-in-differences models to examine whether the policies have a joint impact on food insecurity. Our study adds to a small number of papers evaluating potential interactions between state minimum wages and EITC laws. Our analysis reveals the presence of joint effects of the two programs in terms of reducing food insecurity. We find that a $1 increase in minimum wages reducing the likelihood of households experiencing very low food security by 6.0 percent in states with state EITC laws, with the effect being even larger (9.8 percent) in states with high EITC benefits. When examining a potential mechanism through which the two policies improve food security, we provide evidence for a joint impact on reducing poverty rates. In contrast, we find no evidence that minimum wages alone impact food insecurity or poverty rates in states without state EITC laws.

Growing up hungry

Dr. Kerris Cooper discusses recent research from the Education Policy Institute on food poverty in the early years. She asks how big is the problem, and how can we fix it?

EXAMINING THE ROLE OF MILLET ENTREPRENEURIAL PRODUCTION IN IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN CHIVI RURAL DISTRICT

Introduction: Existing research extensively documents food shortages, hunger, and poverty in Africa and Asia. Climate change is a major driver of worsening food insecurity, contributing to these problems and negatively impacting a growing global population's health, nutrition, and economic well-being. Smallholder farmers face significant challenges in improving food security and nutrition through millet cultivation. This study examined the role of millet entrepreneurship production among 15 farmers, enhancing food security and nutrition in rural households within Zimbabwe’s Chivi District. Methods: Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews and focus groups, using a descriptive qualitative case study design. To capture the diverse landscape of smallholder farmers in an informal context, both purposive and snowball sampling methods were utilized to select participants for the study. Results: According to the findings, millet entrepreneurship in the Chivi district has improved community households' food security and nutrition, demonstrating that small grain agriculture thrives in climatically challenging regions and raises living standards. Among the favorable benefits, rural farmers produce better food nutrition, have higher incomes, improved living conditions, and increased educational opportunities for their children. Conclusion and suggestion: The study concludes that, despite difficulties with labor-intensive farming and a lack of farming inputs, millet entrepreneurial production generally improved livelihoods. The study suggests that to optimize the results for livelihood, the Zimbabwean government's food security policy agenda should support smallholder rural farmers in their efforts to increase entrepreneurial millet production. Ultimately, smallholder farmers in dry regions are encouraged to adopt small grain cultivation due to its high yield potential despite climate change challenges.

Analyzing the Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Food Security in Poor Rural Households: A Study from Nagari Nyiur Melambai, Indonesia

This study aims to: (1) determine the food energy consumption of poor households in Nagari Nyiur Melambai, Ranah Pesisir District; (2) assess the food security status of poor households; (3) analyze the effects of income, expenditure proportion, family size, husband’s education, and poverty on food security and poverty. The research was conducted from June to July 2024 using purposive sampling. Primary and secondary data were used. The analysis applied a descriptive associative method with multiple linear regression and the Sobel Test. Results showed an average household energy consumption of 2,036.43 kcal/day. Food security levels: 50.56% secure, 11.24% nearly secure, 33.71% vulnerable, and 4.49% food insecure.

EAT-Lancet Diet Components Acquisition According to Food Insecurity and Poverty Status in Brazil: An Analysis of National Household Budget Survey 2017-2018.

The EAT-Lancet diet outlines target consumption for specific food components but overlooks accessibility and cost issues, which may hinder adherence among vulnerable populations. This study examines the acquisition profile of EAT-Lancet diet components by food security and poverty status, using data from 57,920 households in the 2017-2018 Brazilian Household Budget Survey. Poverty and food insecurity were defined according to the World Bank per capita income cutoffs and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, respectively. Food acquisition was classified into 15 EAT-Lancet diet components and expressed as per capita daily averages (g, % of total available energy, and % of food expenditure), by food security and poverty strata. Brazilian households were 37.9% food-insecure and 12% poor. Compared to more privileged counterparts, these households prioritized the acquisition of staples like refined cereals and legumes over most EAT-Lancet diet adequacy components, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and peanuts. While lower energy shares from moderation components were only slightly evident for red meat and dairy among food-insecure households, pronounced reductions in added sugars and vegetable oils were seen among the poor. These findings suggest that public policies should synergically address particularities of different deprivation contexts to promote sustainable diets in Brazil.

Climate change impacts and mitigation strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa’s livestock production sector. A brief review

Climate change poses significant challenges to Sub-Saharan Africa’s livestock production sector, threatening the livelihoods of millions and exacerbating food insecurity and poverty. This review paper comprehensively examines the impacts of climate change on livestock farming systems in the region, including changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and the spread of diseases and pests. Additionally, it explores mitigation strategies to enhance the resilience and sustainability of Sub-Saharan Africa’s livestock production sector, considering adaptation measures, sustainable livestock management practices, and policy interventions. By synthesizing existing research and identifying gaps in knowledge, this paper provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to address the complex challenges posed by climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa’s livestock production sector. Effective mitigation strategies are crucial for safeguarding livelihoods, promoting food security, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of livestock farming in the region.

Food poverty and consumption inequality in urban Ethiopia

Understanding the current state of food poverty is crucial to eradicating hunger and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030. Accordingly, this study was designed to assess food poverty, investigate consumption inequality, and identify the determinants of food poverty in urban Ethiopia. This study is based on the Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) 2018/2019 fourth-wave survey. In this study, food poverty was assessed using the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) index. In addition, the Lorenz curve and the Gini coefficient were estimated to capture consumption inequality. Furthermore, a quantile regression model was estimated to identify the determinants of food poverty in urban Ethiopia. This study comprised 3596 Ethiopian urban households with an average age of 40.45. Here, an inflation-corrected national food poverty line was used as a cutoff point to identify food-poor and food-non-poor households, which was found to be 5129.92 ETB per year PAE. The results of the FGT indices indicate that 17.8% of urban households were food-poor. Food poverty was more prevalent in the SNNP (36.7%) while it was less prevalent in Harer (7.5%). It was also confirmed that food poverty was higher among emerging regions and female-headed households. In addition, the Gini coefficient is 0.367, confirming the moderate level of food consumption inequality in urban Ethiopia. The quantile regression result confirms that mobile phone ownership, educational attainment, savings behavior, utility expenditure, and the number of rooms in a house were found to reduce food poverty. Conversely, household size and the age of the household head were found to exacerbate food poverty. Finally, to reduce food poverty in urban Ethiopia, it is crucial to promote family planning, build infrastructure that facilitates, improve access to and use of formal banks and mobile phones, and expand access to education while maintaining quality.

The incidence of catastrophic and impoverishing health spending in Morocco: the value added of new methodologies : Evidence from the 2014 National Household Living Standards Survey.

One of the key objectives of the Moroccan government in achieving universal health coverage (UHC) in Morocco is to improve household financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). However, there is no consensus on how to measure CHE. Moreover, measuring CHE using traditional methods poses a challenge for equity analysis and pro-poor policy initiatives. Therefore, this paper aims to conduct an in-depth national analysis to inform policymakers about the extent, distribution and causes of financial hardship. In addition, this study aimed to explore the equity and policy implications of different capacity-to-pay (CTP) methodologies for calculating CHE in Morocco.We present estimates of catastrophic and impoverishing health spending incidence using different methods. These methods include (i) the budget share method (BS method), (ii) the partial normative food expenditure method (Normative food method), (iii) Wagstaff and Eozenou's approach (WAE approach), and (iv) the normative food, housing (rent), and utilities (FHU) method (WHO EURO method). The data comes from the 2014 Moroccan National Household Consumption and Expenditure Survey (NHCES). To measure changes in financial protection between the four calculation methods, we also use a weighted financial protection index (FP index) and another index measuring the fairness of financial contributions (FFC). CHE incidence estimates were similar using the WHO EURO method and the BS method at the threshold of 15% of a household's CTP. The estimate of impoverishing out-of-pocket payments (OOP) was 1.31% when using the food poverty line (FOOD-PL) and 1.93% when using the FHU poverty line (FHU-PL). In addition, the further impoverishing OOP estimate was 3.39% and 5.41% using the FOOD-PL and FHU-PL, respectively. The study shows that, unlike the new methods, conventional methods overestimate the financial burden of the better-off. The BS method suggests that the Moroccan health system is egalitarian, while the new approaches suggest that it meets normative equity objectives. The FP index and the FFC decrease as the poverty line rises. Medicine is the first driver of financial hardship. The monetary transfer needed to compensate for the impoverishment caused by OOP is about 141 MAD and 269 MAD per person per year, using FOOD-PL and FHU-PL, respectively.The results suggest that the health insurance system should be reviewed to further reduce CHE and impoverishment in Morocco. The use of the BS method to track target 3.8.2 of the SDGs raises concerns about the ability of the SDG process to generate appropriate policy guidance on UHC. Studies using different approaches. such as this one. are expected to facilitate informed decision-making and prevent potential political manipulation in demonstrating the success or failure of a policy. HIGHLIGHTS: • Our study evaluates the equity implications of different CTP methods for estimating CHE in Morocco. • Traditional methods systematically overstate the financial burden on wealthier households. • The WHO EURO methodology provides the most accurate assessment, capturing both the regressive nature of CHE incidence and the progressive pattern of OOP/CTP. • Findings reinforce the importance of Morocco's ongoing health financing reforms to reduce out-of-pocket payments. • Future research should incorporate forgone care and coping strategies to enhance financial protection analysis.

The moderating role of education on the financial inclusion-food poverty nexus: the case of Uganda

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the moderating role of education on the financial inclusion-food poverty nexus: the case of Uganda. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the Uganda National Household Survey 2019 / 2020, this study uses a binary Logit model to examine the impact of three dimensions of financial inclusion, namely, ownership of a savings account, access to credit and a financial inclusion index on food poverty, with emphasis on the interaction between education and financial inclusion. Findings The study finds that both financial inclusion and education significantly reduce food poverty, with education enhancing the effectiveness of financial inclusion in this regard. The interaction between financial inclusion measures and education is statistically significant, highlighting education’s role in improving the utilisation of financial services to alleviate food poverty. Originality/value While financial inclusion’s role in reducing poverty and improving economic well-being has been studied, the moderating role of education remains underexplored. This paper addresses this gap by analysing how education interacts with financial inclusion to jointly influence food poverty, focusing on education as a moderator in the financial inclusion – food poverty relationship.

‘I suppose language is important’: investigating news media and third sector views on food poverty

News media coverage can shape public and political perceptions of food poverty, yet little is known about how media professionals and third sector organizations understand and communicate this issue. This study aimed to explore how food poverty is understood and communicated by news media professionals and third sector representatives on the island of Ireland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with news media professionals (n = 16) and third sector representatives (n = 14) from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A combination of deductive coding to Entman's framing theory and inductive thematic analysis was used to identify perspectives on food poverty and its media representation. The findings revealed distinct perspectives between groups regarding causes and solutions. Third sector representatives emphasized structural drivers and advocated policy solutions, while media professionals’ views were more mixed, with some emphasizing individual responsibility. Media professionals reported preferring case studies featuring families and single mothers, while third sector representatives expressed concerns about their role as gatekeepers. The study identified a mutual reliance between news media and third sector organizations in the processes of securing case studies and sharing information. Both groups reported challenges with resource constraints, ethical considerations, and communicating complex issues. These findings reveal how institutional arrangements between media and third sector organizations may reinforce individualistic narratives of food poverty rather than structural causes. The results suggest a need for strategic approaches including evidence-based reporting guidelines and improved access to independent data sources and expertise to support more effective communication of structural drivers and the need for policy solutions.

International Food Prices, Poverty and Hunger

International Food Prices, Poverty and Hunger

Food Insecurity Versus Learners’ Performance in the Classroom: A Case of South African Rural School

Food insecurity is one of the less researched problems that poses a challenge to schools in South Africa. This qualitative study seeks to holistically explore this problem as it adopts Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory as the lenses of exploration. In addition to socio-cultural beliefs on food and academic achievement, Maslow and Vygotsky offer a framework for physiological and cultural theories of how food impacts human brain function and capability. Therefore, this study's primary goal is to investigate the connection between food insecurity and academic achievement in rural South African schools, such as Tshehlo Secondary School in the Capricorn region of the province of Limpopo. Methodologically, this study purposively sampled grade 10,11, and 12 learners from Tshehlo secondary school for focus group discussions, observations, semi-structured interviews, and surveys from top to low achievers. The data collected were thematically analysed as they show that there is a link between food insecurity and learners’ performance in classrooms. Data was analysed to compare the experiences of top and low-performing learners with food insecurity and how it affects their performance in the classroom. Objectives of this study are; (a) to explore the effects of food insecurity on learners’ concentration and attention in the classroom, (b) to explore the impact of food insecurity on learners’ academic achievements, (c) to explore the relationship between food insecurity and learners’ performance in the classroom, (d) to explore any comparative difference between learners from food secure background and those who come from food insecure homes in terms of academic success. Recommendations thereof significantly include (a) devising ways to ensure food security programs in schools, (b) counselling and motivation in schools, and (c) DBE policy development and enforcement which involves even NGO’s with regards to learners’ nutrition. Conclusion entails that food security is more important for high quality achievements in schools as it directly impacts learners’ attitudes towards learning. Furthermore, it is challenging to evaluate the long-term educational effects of food poverty because a large number of the research are cross-sectional rather than longitudinal in character.

Assessing poverty dynamics in social grant dependent household: a comprehensive analysis

Poverty persists in many countries especially those in the sub-Saharan African region where the levels have been getting worse. The extent of poverty has been worsened in the last 5 years by the many exogenous factors that have gone beyond the control of individual countries. From Covid-19 in late 2019 to early 2020 going all the way to 2021, to Ukraine Russia war that disrupted global supply chains, to the war between Israel and Hamas that have left countries divided. Several countries have also witnessed natural disasters like cyclones and heavy rains and tidal waves that have caused irreparable damage to livelihoods. In the wake of these external factors over and above country specific a number of governments introduced social grants as safety nets to help households in danger of abject poverty. This study assesses the dynamics of poverty within social grant-dependent households in South Africa, exploring the extent to which social grants mitigate poverty across varying levels of deprivation. Using 2023 data from a representative national survey, the analysis applies conditional probability models to examine the influence of social grants on household poverty risk, considering three distinct poverty thresholds: the Food Poverty Line, the Lower Bound Poverty Line, and the Upper Bound Poverty Line. Findings reveal that households receiving grants experience a statistically significant reduction in poverty risk, particularly at the lower poverty levels, underscoring the effectiveness of grants as a targeted poverty alleviation tool. However, unemployment, single-headed households, and racial disparities are found to compound poverty risk, pointing to the need for an integrated approach that combines social grants with employment and empowerment programs. Female-headed households are especially vulnerable, showing a higher likelihood of poverty across all poverty lines, likely due to factors such as lower income and greater caregiving responsibilities. The study concludes that while social grants play a critical role in reducing poverty risk, additional measures are essential for addressing the underlying socioeconomic disparities that affect poverty dynamics. Recommendations include increasing grant values to match inflation, expanding job creation efforts, and implementing targeted support programs for the most vulnerable demographics, particularly single-parent and female-headed households. These measures would enhance the efficacy of social grants and support long-term poverty reduction efforts in South Africa.