Food Security In Sudan Research Articles

Is the Food Insecurity Experiences Scale (FIES) A Valid Tool for Assessing Food Insecurity in Sudan?

Food insecurity is a widespread issue globally, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) to measure different levels of food insecurity severity. The FIES includes eight questions that assess people's access to sufficient and quality food. This study aims to examine the reliability and validity of using the FIES as a measurement tool for food insecurity and to provide guidance for policymakers to address hunger and ensure food security in Sudan. A sample of 330 households from the White Nile State in Sudan was chosen to complete the FIES questionnaire. The collected data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics, Alpha Cronbach’s, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The FIES results indicate that approximately 33.6% of households are moderately affected by food insecurity, while 37.9% experience severe food insecurity. The Alpha Cronbach’s coefficient confirms that the FIES questions display acceptable internal consistency. Moreover, the EFA results reveal two main components that account for about 60.7% of the total variance in the FIES questions. Consequently, this study recommends the FIES as a reliable and valid tool for assessing food insecurity in Sudan

Monitoring Indicators of Economic Activities in Sudan Amidst Ongoing Conflict Using Satellite Data

ABSTRACT Political tensions in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated into an armed conflict on 15 April 2023, and continues to unfold to date. Besides the severe humanitarian catastrophe, the war disrupted access to basic public services and constrained access to markets and continued to trigger considerable scarcity of life-saving goods and services. In this paper, we utilize satellite data (nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration and nightlight intensity) and spatial mapping tools to provide a swift analysis of how the conflict has changed the patterns on economic activity, which are bound to have severe implications on food security in Sudan. We show that immediately after the outbreak of the armed conflict, NO2 concentration and nightlight intensity reduced in those areas affected by the conflict while remaining stable in those areas not directly affected by the conflict. We also demonstrate how these types of remote sensing and remote data collection methods can be deployed to monitor economic activities amidst armed conflicts and similar abrupt crises and guide economic, development and environmental policies.

CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY IN SUDAN

This study investigates the nexus between climate change, agricultural production and food security and food security in Sudan, utilizing time series data over the period 1970 to 2020. The study applies unit root tests with structural breaks and the bounds test cointegration approach. The estimated models show that food security is directly negatively affected by climate change in terms of rainfall, although the effect of rainfall is positive on crop and livestock production. Energy use and GDP growth have positive effect on food security while food prices, exchange rate, food imports and foreign aid have negative effects. CO2 emissions affect food security positively through their positive effect on GDP growth. However, the positive effect of energy use on food security is almost offset by a negative effect of energy use on GDP growth. Meanwhile, a positive effect of agricultural production on GDP growth is found to partially mitigate the negative effect of rainfall and CO2 emissions on food security. Structural breaks accounted for by dummy variables have no effects on food security. In the short run, CO2 emissions and foreign aid affect food security negatively, while food prices and exchange rate have positive effects. On the other hand, food insecurity is found to have negative effects on agricultural production and GDP growth. Collectively these findings indicate the complexity of interactions of climate changes and economic factors as determinants of food security in Sudan. The study concludes that food security is affected by climate change as a long term phenomenon rather than by short run weather fluctuations. Long term economic growth is necessary for food security and should be enhanced, together with policies enhancing agricultural production in face of adverse climate effects. The study argues for transforming foreign aid from humanitarian-crisis focused to planned development projects for adaptation to climate changes including water harvest projects, and for income generating activities in Sudan.

The determinants of food security in Sudan: the case of Kassala state

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). We use the measurement of HFIAS and use new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019).Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), using new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019) and using the multinomial logistic regression analysis and both ordered logit and ordered probit regression to examine the determinants of food security.FindingsOur results are in support of our hypothesis that the significant determinants of household food insecurity are family-owned production (that negatively affects the probabilities of household being food insecure), household income (that negatively affects HFIAS). We observe that the effects of family-owned production on household food insecurity are particularly significant in the case of mildly and moderately food insecurity. We explain that the other factors that affect the household food insecurity include improvement in the level of agricultural services, marketing, banking services and road characteristics that reduce HFIAS. We find a gender gap related to food security in the sense that male-headed households produce more food compared to female-headed households and also families headed by males are more likely food secure. Therefore, the major policy implication from our results is the importance of increasing households income and enhancing family own production of food to eliminate food insecurity.Originality/valueThis paper provides a significant contribution to the Sudanese and international literature because it discusses the determinants of food security in Kassala state. Different from the two other accompanying papers that focused on the incidence of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the determinants of production of food and consumption of food in Kassala state, this paper focuses on the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of HFIAS and using new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019). We fill the gap in the Sudanese literature because we provide a more interesting analysis of the determinants of food security in Kassala state. Our analysis is useful from policy perspective since we provide useful policy recommendations to enhance food security through agricultural development in Kassala state.

Food security in Sudan: the case of Kassala state

PurposeDifferent from the previous studies in the Sudanese literature, this study aims to examine the incidence and of food security, the variation in households' food insecurity between localities and the adaptation and survival strategy in Kassala State as a case study of Eastern Sudan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and uses new primary data from a Food Security Household Survey in Kassala State (2019) and uses the descriptive analysis to discuss the measurement of HFIAS, the incidence of food security, the variation in households' food insecurity between localities and the adaptation and survival strategy in Kassala State.FindingsThe authors find that the majority of household (77%) are food-insecure of various degrees, with 32.9% being severely food-insecure, while some households are food-secure (23%). The authors find support for their hypothesis that there will be variation in households' food insecurity between localities that most probably relate to variation in the distribution of monthly income between localities. In particular, the authors find that most households in rural areas are severely food-insecure.Originality/valueThis paper provides a significant contribution to the Sudanese and international literature because it discusses the incidence of food insecurity in Sudan. Different from the two other accompanying papers that focused on the determinants of food security in Kassala State using the measurement of HFIAS and determinants of production of food and consumption of food in Kassala State, this paper focuses on the incidence of food security in Kassala State using the measurement of HFIAS.

Enhancing wheat production and food security in Sudan through scaling up improved technologies using innovation platforms

ABSTRACT The innovation platforms (IP) concept was adopted in Sudan as an effective multi-stakeholders approach for sustainable agricultural R4D. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the IP approach in enhancing wheat production and contributing to food security in Sudan. Six community-based IPs were established in four states. A range of activities were implemented within IPs including technology demonstration, seed production, capacity strengthening, field days, etc. A total of 440 farmer-managed demonstration plots were conducted and yields up to 6.0–8.0 t/ha achieved in some fields. The 4-year average yield across all IPs was 3.8 t/ha compared to the national average of 2.3 t/ha. A total of 2031 (66.6% female) trainees participated in 31 training courses targeted all stakeholders along the value chain. A total of 4335 tons of seeds produced and distributed to seed producers and farmers. More than 2500 tons of seeds produced by farmers diffused to neighbouring farmers. Due to the raised awareness of improved varieties, demand for quality seeds increased. Overall, more than 15,700 (31% female) stakeholders were directly reached. Coupled with enabling production measures, improved technologies encouraged national wheat production and productivity to significantly increase since 2011/2012 by 118,000 ton/year and 0.39 ton/ha/year, respectively. The IP approach was able to engage all stakeholders and brought changes in the attitude of many of them. The IP concept was adopted for technology dissemination and enhancing interaction among stakeholders of a number of crops in Sudan.

Exploring socio-hydrological determinants of crop yield in under-performing irrigation schemes: pathways for sustainable intensification

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the human–water–food–climate nexus is central to achieving sustainable intensification (SI) in agriculture. This research uses a socio-hydrological approach to understand the underpinning for implementing SI in the Gezira Irrigation Scheme, Sudan, by integrating vegetation indices derived from remote sensing, ancillary, gridded soil and precipitation data, supplemented by interviews with 393 farmers. The productivity gap was estimated as the difference between the potential and actual productivities. Based upon data on farmers’ socio-economic status and field practices, a regression tree model was built to determine the factors that control the sorghum yield. The model revealed that the financial status of farmers and access to water are the most influential factors on sorghum yield. A conceptual framework that elucidates SI and its bi-directional feedback to the environment, society and the economy is proposed. Implementing SI in the scheme has implications on water and food security in Sudan and beyond its borders.

Impact of rainfall pattern on cereal market and food security in Sudan: Stochastic approach and CGE model

The paper aims at analysing the impact of the likely change in rainfall on food availability and access to food in Sudan. The empirical investigation is based on an integrated approach consisting of a stochastic method and CGE model. The former, related to the Monte Carlo analysis, provides the likely changes in rainfall patterns and their probability of occurrence based on historical data. These results are at the basis of the scenarios simulated in a standard CGE model augmented with a stochastic component. Achievements underline the negative impact on the two dimensions of food security taken into consideration, mainly due to a reduction in cereal supply, a marked cereal inflation pressure and income contraction; the greater negative effect on the poorest households; and a deterioration of the economic performance of the country. In this context, the paper stresses a strong interconnection among climate change and variability, poverty and food insecurity and thus the need for an integrated policy-making approach.

The Role of Livestock Production on Food Security in Sudan: Rural White Nile State

Food security status is determined by the combination of aggregate food availability, household food access and utilization. In Sudan, given climate extremes and insecurity, food availability is a crucial component of household food security status. Communities that rely on raising livestock are most vulnerable to hunger when drought or other disaster strikes. The general objective of this study was to assess the role of livestock production on food security in the White Nile State. Specifically it aims to identify the main factors that may be responsible for food insecurity among livestock producers. It also attempts to identify the livestock conditions in the region. The study was depends on primary data collected during 2009/2010. Statistical tools of data analysis are implemented focusing on correlation analysis and food security indicators. The SPSS (1983) and Excel software programs are used for data analysis. The study results show that majority of the surveyed animal producers are illiterate, and landless. It also indicates that there was instability in food security using the coefficient of variation of producers’ income (CV) as a proxy for food consumption. There was positive correlation between education level, food availability and accessibility. Furthermore, the food utilization was significantly affected by family size and number of males in the households and it is significantly affected by milk production and animal selling in the region.

Do grain reserves necessarily contribute to prices stability and food security in Sudan? An assessment

Most governments in Africa implement policies aiming to stabilize the prices of staple foods, which often include building up grain reserves, besides other trade measures insulating their domestic market from the world market. The mechanism should ideally work as follows, grains should be bought and stored from areas, during the surplus seasons (after harvest) so as to assure fair prices to producers and should be distributed during deficit seasons, in deficit areas besides in cases of emergencies. However, ideal approaches are not necessarily followed in many developing countries due to different constraints and situations. The Strategic Reserve Corporation (SRC) is an institution that is established ten years ago to play such a role in Sudan. This paper tries to assess the performance of the SRC against the overall goals and to study the related obstacles if any. We use a sample of 112 respondents from the SRC staff, related and grain farmers as our data source. Results of the research revealed numerous financial and administrative constraints that obstruct SRC from playing the intended role, which need to be considered so as to contribute to price stability and food security in Sudan.

Can Sudan achieve food security during the next decade?: some forecasts of self-sufficiency in cereals

This paper gives some insights about the problem of food security in Sudan and provides forecasts for the levels of production and consumption of the main cereals, namely sorghum, wheat and millet. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used as tools of analysis. Assuming exponential growth of production and consumption of cereals over time we provided forecasts for the levels of production, consumption, and self sufficiency in cereals during 2008/09-2019/20. The results showed that the self-sufficiency ratio is less than100% for almost all the seasons, meaning that Sudan suffered from food insecurity during the period 1986/87-2008/09. The forecasts of production and consumption of food crops during the period 2008/09-2019/20 indicated that Sudan will continue to suffer from food insecurity. Based on these results, the study suggests that clear and sound agricultural strategies should be adopted to ensure availability and accessibility of food crops for all people at all times. In this respect, agricultural policies should motivate producers of food crops to enhance productivity. Key words: Food security, cereals, production, consumption, self-sufficiency.

Conflict, trade and the medium‐term future of food security in Sudan

Recent economic growth and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) have both been seen as grounds for optimism about the future of food security in Sudan. However, solving the North-South conflict (if indeed it is solved) does not resolve conflicts within either the North or the South and may even encourage a variety of conflicts. The classic neoliberal prescription of peace, growth and foreign investment may deepen (and obscure) the needs and grievances of those who have historically been left behind in a dysfunctional development process. Historically, some of those marginalised by patterns of development in Sudan have chosen to rebel, while others have had their grievances diverted against those even more marginal than themselves. Dysfunctional and violent processes of development must be reversed. They cannot be adequately compensated for--but may be legitimised--by attempts to use food aid as a 'safety net'. Meanwhile, those who benefited from war may have incentives to derail the peace.

Bibliography

Bibliography

To cure all hunger: Food policy and food security in sudan. Edited by Simon Maxwell (London, Intermediate Technology, 1991, pp. 248, £9.95)

To cure all hunger: Food policy and food security in sudan. Edited by Simon Maxwell (London, Intermediate Technology, 1991, pp. 248, £9.95)

Book Review: To Cure All Hunger—Food Policy and Food Security in Sudan

Book Review: To Cure All Hunger—Food Policy and Food Security in Sudan

From Emergency to Social Security in Sudan – Part I: The Problem

This is the first part of a two-part article which stresses the need to move away from short term emergency measures to a more general system of social security. A weakness in much of the thinking on food security in Sudan is its conception of a normally self-provisioning peasantry which is pushed into distress only as a consequence of exceptional external conditions. Food catastrophes are therefore seen as, essentially, temporary phenomena requiring emergency interventions. This article proposes a different view: that the commercial development of Sudan has engendered a crisis of subsistence synonymous with the collapse of indigenous support systems, the spread of absolute poverty and the erosion of the country's resource base. In the North this situation has come about through economic means and in the South through war. The spread of absolute poverty and the resulting vicious struggle for scarce resources cannot, however, be separated from the decay in governance. Part I of the article attempts to establish the interconnections between these elements and thereby to indicate the problems which a system of social security would have to overcome. Part II will examine the institutional consequences of the crisis, namely the imposition of a donor-led system of social security.