Levels Of Food Insecurity Research Articles

Food insecurity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Appalachian Ohio.

Food insecurity and inadequate nutrition are two major challenges that contribute to poor health conditions among U.S. households. Ohioans continue to face food insecurity, and rates of food insecurity in rural Southeast Ohio are higher than the state average. The main purpose of this project is to evaluate the associations between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and food security in rural Ohio, and to explore the association between SNAP participation and fruit/vegetable consumption. We control for food shopping patterns, such as shopping frequency, because previous research reports a significant relationship between shopping patterns and food security. To achieve our purpose, we use novel household-level data on food insecurity and SNAP participation in rural Southeast Ohio, collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that people who experience higher levels of food insecurity than others are more likely to participate in SNAP, though this is likely a function of selection bias. To correct for the bias, we employ the nearest neighbor matching method to match treated (SNAP participant) and untreated (similar SNAP nonparticipant) groups. We find that participating in SNAP increases the probability of being food secure by around 26 percentage points after controlling for primary food shopping patterns. We do not find any significant association between SNAP participation and estimated intake of fruits and vegetables. This study provides policymakers with suggestive evidence that SNAP is associated with food security in rural Southeast Ohio during the pandemic, and what additional factors may mediate these relationships.

Mental distress, food insecurity and university student dropout during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020: evidence from South Africa.

Student dropout has been a key issue facing universities for many years. The COVID-19 pandemic was expected to exacerbate these trends; however, international literature has produced conflicting findings. Limited literature from Africa has investigated the impact of COVID-19 on student dropout trends, despite the documented devastation, including increased risk of food insecurity and mental distress, caused by the pandemic. This work seeks to understand the impact of food insecurity and mental distress on student dropout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional research design, first-year undergraduate students from a large South African university were recruited via email to participate in a survey between September and October 2020. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure food insecurity and the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) was used to measure mental distress. Multivariate regression was used to investigate factors associated with student dropout. The student dropout rate was 10.5% (95% CI: 8.2-13.2). The prevalence of severe food insecurity was 25.7% (95% CI: 22.3-29.4) and the prevalence of severe mental distress symptoms was 26.7% (95% CI: 23.3-30.4). Dropout rates and levels of food insecurity were highest among students residing in remote areas during the lockdown at 19.2% and 43.6%, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that being male increased the probability of dropout almost three-fold (odds ratio (OR) = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.48-4.89, p =0.001)). Being moderately food insecure increased the odds of dropout more than two-fold (OR=2.50; 95% CI:1.12-5.55, p=0.025), and experiencing severe mental distress symptoms increased the odds of dropout seven-fold (OR=7.08; 95% CI:2.67-18.81, p<0.001). While acknowledging that various factors and complexities contribute to student dropout, the increased vulnerability to food insecurity and mental distress, stemming from issues such as widespread job losses and isolation experienced during the pandemic, may have also had an impact on dropout. This work reiterates the importance of directing additional support to students who are food insecure and those who are experiencing mental distress in order to mitigate university student dropout.

Socioeconomic shocks, social protection and household food security amidst COVID-19 pandemic in Africa's largest economy.

Africa has been known to experience series of problems among which are poverty, food insecurity, lack of access to energy, lack of infrastructure among others. These problems were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a severe impact on the socioeconomic status of households in Africa. This paper examines the relationship between socioeconomic shocks, social protection, and household food security during the pandemic in Nigeria, the Africa's largest economy. Using the World Bank's COVID-19 national longitudinal baseline phone survey (2020) for the analysis and applied the multinomial logit regression, the study finds that socioeconomic shocks resulting from the pandemic have led to an increased level of food insecurity. Social protection programmes have played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of these shocks on households. However, the study also highlights the need for more targeted and effective social protection policies to ensure that vulnerable households are adequately protected from the adverse effects of the pandemic. The findings of this study have important implications for policymakers and stakeholders in Africa's largest economy, as they seek to address the challenges posed by the pandemic and promote household food security for the actualisation the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of food and nutrition security (SDG2). The study, therefore, recommends that efforts be made to preserve food supply chains by mitigating the pandemic's effect on food systems, increasing food production, and looking forward beyond the pandemic by building resilient food systems with the use of social protection interventions.

Nutritional condition and nutrient intake predict moral condemnation of food wasting

People believe that food wasting behaviour is immoral. This judgment could be partially driven by increasing awareness of global environmental threats associated with the current scale of food waste. Recent research indicates that moral judgments of food wasting behaviour may also reflect higher levels of food insecurity—potentially serving an adaptive role in harsh environments. In our research, we tested this hypothesis at both the population and individual levels. The study was conducted among individuals from subsistence-economy populations: the Hadza hunter-gatherers (n = 72) and the Datoga pastoralists (n = 70), where levels of food insecurity are higher than in industrialised populations. To infer about food insecurity at the individual level, we analysed body composition, muscle strength, and nutrient intake. We found that individuals who had lower levels of muscle strength and those who consumed less calorie-dense foods judged food wasting behaviour as more immoral. These findings show that food wasting moral judgments reflect the short-term nutritional condition and current nutrient intake. We also found that individuals with greater muscle mass—likely shaped by activities associated with food provisioning—judged food-wasting behaviour as more immoral. The study supports the idea that food wasting moral judgments are shaped by food insecurity and points to some novel social factors that may also influence these judgments.

Self-rated health and sociodemographic inequalities among Venezuelan adults: a study based on the National Survey of Living Conditions (ENCOVI 2021).

Self-rated health is an indicator that can be easily identified in health surveys, widely used to measure physical, social, mental, and health aspects of the population, and predict premature mortality. In Venezuela, this information only began to be collected recently, in the National Survey of Living Conditions (ENCOVI). In this context, our study aims to analyze the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with non-positive self-rated health among Venezuelan adults. The ENCOVI 2021 (n = 16,803) was used as a data source, assessing a probability stratified sample with questions about health, education, emigration, and other social and economic aspects. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratio analyses were performed using Poisson regression models with robust variance. The prevalence of fair/bad self-rated health among Venezuelans was 17.8%. The results indicated a strong association between outcome prevalence and age group, 3.81 times higher (95%CI: 3.29-4.41) among individuals aged 60 or more when compared to individuals aged 18 to 29 years. Also, participants experiencing severe food insecurity had a prevalence 2 times higher (95%CI: 1.61-2.47) than those who did not have any level of food insecurity. Factors such as poverty, education, recent emigration of family members, and sex also showed a significant influence, also when analyzed independently. The results show that special attention should be dedicated to the health of individuals facing hunger and of the older people.

Head of household disability can increase household food insecurity: an analysis of a Colombian population survey

This study investigated the association between head of household disability and the severity of food insecurity in Colombian households during 2017. A secondary data analysis was conducted based on 2017 Colombian National Quality of Life Survey (ECV 2017). As the independent variable, disability was assessed using questions from the Washington group, whereas the dependent variable - food insecurity - was measured by the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale (ELCSA). Sociodemographic confounding variables and variables related to food insecurity were included. Association was analyzed by ordinal logistic regression, and the odds ratio (OR) was estimated with its 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). All calculations considered the complex sampling of ECV 2017. Data from 8,488 heads of household were included. A total of 9.2% of the participants had some type of disability and 41.8% reported some level of household food insecurity. Households with a head of household with some disability were 30% more likely to develop severe food insecurity compared with households with a head of household without disabilities (OR = 1.30; 95%CI: 1.07-1.59), adjusted for multiple confounding variables. In 2017, Colombian households with heads of household with disabilities were more likely to develop severe food insecurity. It is essential to implement nutritional assistance programs aimed at vulnerable populations, such as people with disabilities.

Post-traumatic stress disorder, food insecurity, and social capital after the 2017 coastal El Niño flooding among mothers from Piura, Peru: A mixed method study.

In order to understand the impacts in the post-disaster scenario of the 2017 El Niño events in the Piura region-Peru, we examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), food insecurity (FI), and social capital (SC) across three-time points in mothers in highly affected areas. In the Piura, Castilla, and Catacaos districts, we studied mothers combining mixed-method assessments at three (June-July 2017), eight and 12 months after the flooding. Each outcome was measured with the PTSD-Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C), the Household-Food-Insecurity-Access-Scale (HFIAS), the Adapted-Social-Capital-Assessment-Tool (SASCAT) surveys. In-depth interviews at the first evaluation were also conducted. At the first evaluation, 38.1% (n = 21) of 179 mothers reported PTSD; eight months and one year after the flooding, it dropped to 1.9% and virtually zero, respectively. Severe FI also declined over time, from 90.0% three months after the flooding to 31.8% eight months after, to 13.1% one year after. Conversely, high-cognitive SC was increased three months after the flooding (42.1%) and much greater levels at eight and 12 months after (86.7% and 77.7%, respectively). High levels of PTSD and severe FI three months after the flooding consistently decreased to nearly zero one-year post-disaster. High levels of high-cognitive SC may have helped mothers to recover from PTSD and FI in Piura.

Household Food and Nutrition Security in Nigeria

Achieving food and nutrition security entails ensuring secure access to food alongside a hygienic environment, adequate healthcare services, and informed caregiving, thereby enabling individuals to lead healthy and productive lives. An individual's ability to realize their full personal and economic potential hinges significantly on their level of food and nutrition security. Moreover, the availability of nutrition resources and the degree to which an individual has access to such resources are a function of how society is organized in terms of economic structure, political and ideological expectations, and its institutions. Nigeria grapples with numerous hurdles in attaining food and nutrition security, including widespread poverty, heightened levels of food insecurity, limited access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate healthcare provisions, and suboptimal dietary habits. Among these challenges, poverty stands out as a critical impediment. The World Bank reports that approximately 40% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, rendering many unable to afford a balanced diet. Additionally, restricted access to clean water and sanitation significantly impacts nutrition security, as it contributes to the proliferation of waterborne illnesses and malnutrition, particularly among children. Insecurity also poses a significant barrier to food production in Nigeria's primary agricultural zones. This article provides a thorough examination of the complexities surrounding food and nutrition security in Nigeria, offering practical solutions to address these pressing issues.

Food insecurity in Brazil by household arrangements and characteristics between 2004 and 2022.

Although food insecurity presents a decreasing trend worldwide, some regions recently observed an increase in hunger levels. Such was the case in Brazil between 2014 and 2018, during and after the great Brazilian recession, and between 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper describes the evolution of food insecurity in Brazil between 2004 and 2022 using Brazilian National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), Brazilian Household Budget Survey (POF) and Continuous PNAD. Households were classified in 20 types of arrangements, and the most vulnerable living arrangements between 2004 and 2018 were identified by multinomial logistic models. Overall, households headed by women (single blacks, whites or in couples) with or without children were the most prone to food insecurity. As for the evolution of food insecurity in Brazil between 2018 and 2022, logistic models were applied to estimate moderate and severe food insecurity levels among the 20 household types. Additionally, effects of the emergency aid and idiosyncrasies of the COVID-19 pandemic were estimated.

Impact of Farm Size and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Agricultural Households’ Food Security

Most agricultural households in Indonesia are small-scale farmers making them prone to food insecurity. Until recently, no study has assessed the impact of farm size and sociodemographic characteristics on the food insecurity status of agricultural households using a nationwide agricultural household survey in Indonesia. Our study aims to address this gap by utilizing the results of the first Indonesian Agricultural Integrated Survey conducted by BPS in 2021. Applying the Rasch Model and Multinomial Logistic Regression, we found that the farm size has a positive impact in lowering the probability of agricultural households experiencing moderate or severe levels of food insecurity. Our study also found that agricultural households with a higher probability of being food insecure are characterized by having higher members of households, relying only on agriculturalactivities for their livelihood, lower education attainment of household heads, and being led by female farmers. Our study recommends improving the farmers’ agricultural scale by focusing on the improvement of the yield. It can be done through the adoption of mechanization and digital technology. Moreover, we also recommend a social assistance programme for food security targeting agricultural households with characteristics identifiedin our findings.

Does Farm Size Matter for Food Security Among Agricultural Households? Analysis of Indonesia’s Agricultural Integrated Survey Results

Most agricultural households in Indonesia are small-scale farmers making them prone to food insecurity. Until recently, no study has assessed the impact of farm size and sociodemographic characteristics on the food insecurity status of agricultural households using a nationwide agricultural household survey in Indonesia. Our study aims to address this gap by utilizing the results of the first Indonesian Agricultural Integrated Survey conducted by BPS in 2021. Applying the Rasch Model, Multinomial Logistic Regression, and Ordinary Least Squares Regression, we found that the farm size has a positive impact in lowering the likelihood of experiencing moderate or severe levels of food insecurity among agricultural households. Our study also found that agricultural households with a higher probability of being food insecure are characterized by having higher members of households, relying only on agricultural activities for their livelihood, lower education attainment of household heads, and being led by female farmers.

Intersectional coalitions towards a just agroecology: weaving mutual aid and agroecology in Barcelona and Seville

Although in theory social justice is considered as a core dimension of agroecological transitions, alternative food initiatives related to agroecology have been criticised for their exclusionary practices based on important social and economic biases. In this article, we adopt the lens of political intersectionality to study two cases of Agroecology-oriented Food Redistribution Coalitions in Spain that emerged to address the rising levels of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that the coalitions represent a convergence of diverse social struggles, placing intersectionally marginalized groups at the centre of their activism. However, we also uncover that coalition members participate in different ways depending on their socioeconomic profiles, which could perpetuate inequalities in organizational practices. One major point of tension is the need to balance the goal of providing access to healthy and sustainable food with the affordability of such produce. This leads to the adoption of hybrid food networks that include conventionally produced food. We also highlight that while the predominance of women in these coalitions reflects the unequal distribution of food-related care work in society, the collectivization of such work through AFRCs practices points to a transformation of gender relations. Territorialized alliances between actors from urban and rural settings and between urban centers and peripheries are established through the coalitions. However, such networks fall short on involving large numbers of agroecology-oriented initiatives and providing direct encounters between consumers and producers. Overall, the article underscores the importance of addressing intersecting inequalities within alternative food initiatives and argues that intersectional coalitions offer an intriguing example of how to promote such understanding and pave the way towards (more) just agroecological transitions.

Informality, Food Insecurity and Intra-Household Resource Allocation: Evidence from Pakistan

The significance of employment in alleviating household poverty and enhancing overall well-being is widely acknowledged. In Pakistan, even with the notable growth in agricultural production, the country struggles with significant levels of food insecurity, affecting approximately 20.3 percent of the population, as indicated by a 2019 global report. This research investigates the impact of informal employment on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) and the distribution of resources within households, including categories such as food, non-food items, education, and health. Utilizing data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) conducted in 2018-19, fractional response and ordered logit models were employed to analyze the influence of informal employment on resource allocation across various categories and household food insecurity. The findings indicated that households headed by individuals in informal employment typically allocate a more significant portion of their budget to food and health than those in formal employment. Moreover, the impact of informal employment on non-food expenses appears limited, and households with informal workers demonstrate reduced spending on education compared to their formal counterparts. Additionally, the study highlights a higher probability of severe or moderate food insecurity levels in households headed by individuals in informal employment. Comprehending employment and household welfare dynamics necessitates a thorough understanding of intra-household dynamics. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, aiding in identifying critical areas for expanding social protection measures for informal workers.

THE RELEVANCE OF SNAP PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY FOR FOOD INSECURITY, FOCUSING ON ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract Individuals with disabilities are not only more likely than their peers without disabilities to experience food insecurity, but also encounter disproportionate barriers to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment. This study examined associations between state-level measures of SNAP enrollment accessibility (flexibility, efficiency, and accessibility in the enrollment process; and the presence of either broad-based categorical eligibility or the Combined Application Project) with SNAP participation and food insecurity levels among low-income participants (income ≤185% of the poverty threshold) aged ≥15 years in the 2021 Current Population Survey, both overall (n=19,895) and among those with disabilities (n=3,484). In multi-level models adjusted for individual and state characteristics, living in a state with broad-based categorical eligibility was associated with higher rates of SNAP participation among all low-income individuals (b= 0.300, 95% CI: 0.096, 0.505). Among those with disabilities, having greater flexibility in SNAP enrollment (b= 0.141, 95% CI: 0.007, 0.276) and living in a state with the Combined Application Project (b= 0.271, 95% CI: 0.017, 0.525) were associated with a higher likelihood of SNAP participation. Living in a state with more efficient SNAP enrollment was associated with lower food insecurity levels (b= -0.073, 95% CI: -0.136, -0.010) among all low-income individuals and having broad-based categorical eligibility was associated with lower food insecurity levels (b= -0.237, 95% CI: -0.451, -0.022) among those with disabilities. These findings highlight the importance of SNAP program accessibility to address food insecurity among all low-income Americans and suggest that enrollment barriers may differ for people with and without disabilities.

The impact of firm downsizing on workers: Evidence from Ethiopia’s ready-made garment industry

We analyze matched employee–employer data from Ethiopia’s largest special economic zone during a period of downsizing pressure from the COVID-19 world import demand shock. We observe substantial job displacement during the shock peak, particularly for new hires. These largely female and rural-to-urban migrants persistently “fall off the employment ladder”, remaining unemployed both within and outside the zone even after employers have recovered from the shock. We observe high levels of urban-centered food insecurity and depression symptoms during the crisis peak, regardless of employment status. Our findings highlight the importance of social protection policies within export-oriented development strategies.

Even hungrier for knowledge: A 10-year follow-up study on vulnerability to food insecurity amongst students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Research on the extent of food insecurity amongst the South African university student population has gained momentum over the past decade, and for good reason. Along with the multiple other challenges that South African university students face (e.g. funding shortfalls, limited access to student housing, high levels of failure and dropout, institutional bureaucracy, and oppressive colonial legacies), students being chronically hungry and unable to access safe and nutritious food on a regular basis remains a notable crisis. This article reports on a 10-year follow-up study on the extent of vulnerability to food insecurity amongst students registered at the University of ABC (UABC). Whereas data collected for the initial 2007–2009 study only targeted students from one of the five UABC campuses, the current study improved on the sampling strategy and collected data from 438 students registered across all five UABC campuses in 2018. Using the University Students Food Insecurity Questionnaire, as developed during the initial study and adapted from the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, the findings from the current study suggest that 49% of the UABC student population experience serious to severe levels of vulnerability to food insecurity. This is more than double the reported levels of serious to severe vulnerability to food insecurity found in the initial study. This article reports on how and why food insecurity levels may have escalated unchecked over the past decade.

Food insecurity, COVID-19 and diets in Fiji – a cross-sectional survey of over 500 adults

IntroductionFood insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrition and increased rates of chronic disease. The primary aim of this study was to assess self-reported food insecurity and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, in two regional districts of Central Fiji, as part of a broader program of work on strengthening and monitoring food policy interventions. The secondary aim was to explore the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake.MethodsSeven hundred adults were randomly sampled from the Deuba and Waidamudamu districts of Viti Levu, Fiji. Interview administered surveys were conducted by trained research assistants with data collected electronically. Information was collected on demographics and health status, food security, the perceived impact of COVID-19 on food security, and dietary intake. Food insecurity was assessed using nine questions adapted from Fiji’s 2014/5 national nutrition survey, measuring markers of food insecurity over the last 12 months. Additional questions were added to assess the perceived effect of COVID-19 on responses. To address the secondary aim, interview administered 24-hour diet recalls were conducted using Intake24 (a computerised dietary recall system) allowing the calculation of salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intakes for each person. Weighted linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between food insecurity and salt, sugar and fruit and vegetable intake.Results534 people participated in the survey (response rate 76%, 50.4% female, mean age 42 years). 75% (75.3%, 95% CI, 71.4 to 78.8%) of people reported experiencing food insecurity in the 12 months prior to the survey. Around one fifth of people reported running out of foods (16.8%, 13.9 to 20.2%), having to skip meals (19.3%, 16.2 to 22.9%), limiting variety of foods (19.0%, 15.9 to 22.5%), or feeling stressed due to lack of ability to meet food needs (19.5%, 16.4 to 23.0%). 67% (66.9%, 62.9 to 70.7%) reported becoming more food insecure and changing what they ate due to COVID-19. However, people also reported positive changes such as making a home garden (67.8%, 63.7 to 71.6%), growing fruit and vegetables (59.5%, 55.6 to 63.8%), or trying to eat healthier (14.7%, 12.0 to 18.0%). There were no significant associations between food insecurity and intakes of salt, sugar or fruit and vegetables.ConclusionParticipants reported high levels of food insecurity, exceeding recommendations for salt and sugar intake and not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, and becoming more food insecure due to COVID-19. Most participants reported making home gardens and/or growing fruit and vegetables in response to the pandemic. There is an opportunity for these activities to be fostered in addressing food insecurity in Fiji, with likely relevance to the Pacific region and other Small Island Developing States who face similar food insecurity challenges.

Household food security and dietary diversity in south-eastern Nigeria.

The aim of this study was to investigate household food security (access) level and the dietary diversity of households in the Nsukka Local Government Area in South-eastern Nigeria. From 20 local communities of Nsukka, 390 women were randomly sampled from the women's group and asked to complete a survey that determined the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale scores and the Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS). The descriptive results indicated a high level of food insecurity with 82.6% households reporting various degrees of food insecurity. Over half of the sampled population experienced insufficient food quality. They either ate unwanted food (65.9%), limited variety (63.1%), or unpreferred food (64.6%). Some households experienced insufficient food intake by going a whole day without food (38.2%), go to sleep hungry (45.1%), or have no food of any kind (49%). The analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p = 0.428) in the food security level of households headed by males as compared with those headed by females. Approximately 53.6% of households fell at or below the average HDDS; males headed 48% of these households, while females headed 64%. The chi-square test indicated factors associated with household food security including age, education, work status and income, whereas the gender of the household head, household size and marital status were not significantly associated. Public-private partnerships, nutrition orientation and food intervention programs could improve food security in this area.

FOOD SECURITY PROBLEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT

Lela Aduashvili &#x0D; E-mail: lela.aduashvili@tsu.ge &#x0D; Phd Student, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University &#x0D; Tbilisi, Georgia&#x0D; https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4732-7007&#x0D; &#x0D; Abstract: In the article, based on the official data of international organizations and the analysis of scientific publications published around the issue, the relevance of food security is substantiated.&#x0D; The historical importance of food security as an object of scientific research and study is discussed. The main causes of food insecurity are highlighted and its possible consequences are identified.&#x0D; In the paper, the impact of global crises of the 21st century on food security is evaluated. Due to the severity of the problem, the need for sustainable development of the food system is substantiated, where a decisive role is assigned to technological development. In the mentioned process, the current situation in Georgia is assessed and the main challenges facing the country are identified.&#x0D; In addition, in the process of ensuring food security, the feasibility of developing digital supply networks is substantiated. In particular, against the background of the analysis of the uncertainties formed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the accompanying crises, the shortcomings of the traditional food supply chains are presented and the need to replace them is confirmed.&#x0D; In the research process, based on statistical data, the level of food insecurity by region is studied. Its connection with the level of technological development of the countries is highlighted.&#x0D; On the basis of bibliographic research, the views of scientists in solving food security problems in the conditions of the development of the digital economy are evaluated. It is established that the solution to the issue requires the active participation and consolidated action of the developed world. The focus is on the role and importance of the private sector. At the same time, the current tendency towards solving the problem, in the form of developing urban food security strategies, has been identified.&#x0D; In the paper, based on the analysis of theoretical-methodological and statistical data, conclusions are developed and recommendations for overcoming problems are proposed through digital development.

Urban agroecology enhances agrobiodiversity and resilient, biocultural food systems. The case of the semi-dryland and medium-sized Querétaro City, Mexico

Small-scale agroecological practices in the urban areas of Querétaro, México, as in other mid-sized cities, could maintain agrobiodiversity pools and sufficient productivity for a food sovereignty baseline. The application of agroecological principles fosters agrobiodiversity and socio-ecological resilience in urban food production. Emerging urban gardens result from an immediate necessity for food that does not appear in local statistics, nor is there any account of them in any cadastral source or land register of Querétaro City. Based on studies of 28 urban gardens, we survey and analyze farming practices using socio-ecological resilience methodologies and the Diagnostic Survey of Agroecological Practices. We find that the agroecological management of urban gardens results in significantly more species richness than in conventionally managed plots, likely due to the multifunctional purposes associated with biocultural memory. The number of social actors participating in agroecological management is increasing. It represents an urban strategy of resilience that contributes to enhancing the microclimate and nutrient cycling, as well as to improving water management and biodiversity. Results also indicate that gardens of approximately 200 m2 harbor the highest levels of agrobiodiversity. This area size for home vegetable production appears optimal for user-friendly management practices in urban settings and could represent the minimum benchmark for a family and a goal for urban planning and policy recommendations. Urban gardens contribute to the adaptive capacities of city dwellers to enhance their food security and sovereignty. Therefore, given that 70% of the national population face some level of food insecurity, we argue that, along with the protection of land-use rights, the promotion of a diverse urban landscape could improve long-term socio-ecological and food supply resilience. Additionally, urban gardens promote neighborhood social inclusion and affordable access to food. The empirical results and insights from this study in Querétaro can inform land-use policies for urban agriculture more broadly, especially in Latin American metropolitan areas.