National Food Policy Research Articles

Colonial approaches in Canadian national food policy development

The Government of Canada has claimed that the relationship with Indigenous peoples, that of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, is their most important relationship. The rhetoric around reconciliation and Indigenous-Crown relationships are a major directive within federal policy. Using the theoretical framework of discursive institutionalism, this journal article looks at how this approach has, or has not, shaped the development of a national food policy. Discursive institutionalism is critical to understanding the complex relationships and perspectives that are embedded within the development of national food policies. Looking at the reports, discourse, and actions of the federal government, this article highlights how Indigenous people continue to be seen as stakeholders, as opposed to partners in nation-to-nation relationships. This paper analyzing the government’s approach to food policy stresses that the government recognizes the importance of having a national food policy, as well as acknowledging that Indigenous people need to be a part of the process. Indigenous peoples are distinct peoples with inherent rights that must been recognized and supported by the Crown, and that understanding needs to be a part of all policies and laws that can impact Indigenous peoples and communities.

Integration and coherence in food governance—a comprehensive analysis of food security public programs in Chile

This study critically examines Chilean food governance. In particular it focuses on two aspects of inter-ministerial governance: policy “integration” and policy “coherence.” It does so by evaluating the alignment between two key policy objectives within the Chilean government; the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and National Food and Nutrition Policy (NFNP) objectives. This is accomplished by using publicly available data at the Integrated Bank of Social Programs (BIPS – Banco Integrado de Programas Sociales) collected in 2021. Utilizing mixed methods including content analysis, program review, and financial analysis, 245 public programs were scrutinized. Only 0.042% of the 2021 national budget for public programs was allocated to n = 70 key programs directly addressing food and nutrition security (FNS), highlighting significant resource disparities among ministries. While some inter-ministerial integration was observed, overall coherence with NFNP objectives, particularly in “health integration and intersectorality,” was lacking. Since disparities in resource allocation and neglect of stability and agency within food security across ministries are identified, indicating a variegated approach to food security with differing emphases on availability, utilization, and access, this study calls for a collaborative, multi-sectoral strategy to bridge policy gaps and enhance coherence in addressing food security challenges. Its findings contribute to the discourse on food governance, offering insights into policy implementation gaps and suggesting avenues for enhancing inter-ministerial integration and coherence. This research underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to policy formulation and execution in achieving NFNP goals and addressing the complex challenges of food security in Chile.

Implementation of a UK supermarket intervention to increase purchasing of fresh fruit and vegetables: process evaluation of the WRAPPED natural experiment

BackgroundPlacement interventions, characterised by greater availability and more prominent positioning of healthy food products in supermarkets and other food stores, are associated with healthier patterns of purchasing and diet. The WRAPPED intervention study is a natural experiment that aims to evaluate a supermarket placement intervention to improve fruit and vegetable sales, household purchasing and the dietary quality of women and their children. Process evaluation, alongside the evaluation of outcomes, is essential to understand how interventions are implemented, under what circumstances they are effective, and their mechanisms of impact. This study aimed to assess the implementation of the WRAPPED placement intervention.MethodsThe study adopted a convergent mixed-methods design. Quantitative data extracted from study store planograms (visual representation of stores and product placement) before and after intervention implementation were used to assess the positioning of fresh fruit and vegetables in the first aisle from the front entrance (intervention dose). The availability of fresh fruit and vegetables in each study store was examined from stock-keeping unit (SKU) figures before and after intervention implementation. An intervention implementation survey (IIS) completed with store managers and senior supervisors before and 1- and 6-months post-intervention implementation enabled examination of the context across study stores. Semi-structured interviews with store managers and senior supervisors provided qualitative data about store staff experiences and perceptions of the intervention between 6-months post-intervention implementation.ResultsThe placement intervention was implemented with close adherence to the study protocol. There were marked differences, post-intervention implementation, in the positioning of fresh fruit and vegetables in intervention stores compared with control stores: median distance in intervention stores was 8.0 m (IQR 5.0 to 10.0) compared with 23.8 m (IQR 21.0 to 30.0) in control stores (P < 0.0001). The availability of varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables increased in intervention stores post-intervention compared with control stores: median (IQR) among intervention stores was 72 (51, 84) compared with 56.5 (50, 62) in control stores (P = 0.03). The mean change from baseline to post-implementation in number of different fruit and vegetables available in intervention stores was 15.3 (SD 16.7) (P = 0.01). IIS and interview data demonstrated little difference between intervention and store contexts over time. Reinforcing factors for intervention implementation included: head-office leadership, store staff views and attitudes and increased awareness of the importance of offering healthy food in prominent locations within stores.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that placement interventions which promote fresh fruit and vegetables to customers in discount supermarkets can be implemented effectively. These findings are encouraging for the implementation of national food policies which modify retail environments to improve population purchasing and dietary patterns.Trial registrationNCT03573973; Pre-results.

Growth, Poverty, and Food Policy in the Philippines: Lessons for the Post-COVID-19 Era

The Philippine economy’s growth has accelerated since 2010, outperforming its Asian peers in the current decade. However, poverty reduction is comparatively weak in response to growth, suggesting that growth has been less inclusive than expected. Poverty in the Philippines is still largely a rural phenomenon despite the country’s rapid urbanization. Our primary objective is to reexamine how much the national food policy has influenced the poverty-reducing effects of economic growth using the more recent national household-level data from 2000 to 2021. The longer-term data, including a period of mobility relaxation following long lockdowns upon the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, allow us to revisit the growth-poverty conundrum in the Philippines. We focus on the more recent decade of relatively sustained growth compared to earlier studies on the subject. We use Engel food shares as a proxy for household welfare and consider the differential welfare effects of food price changes across segments of the population. We show that economic growth in recent years would have been strongly pro-poor if not for the misguided set of policy tools chosen to achieve the food self-sufficiency goal. The government’s move to dismantle the quantitative restriction regime on rice imports in favor of tariffs is a step in the right direction.

NGOisation and food sovereignty: unearthing the intricacies of NGO-driven food sovereignty efforts. Insights from Uganda

AbstractIn many places, social movements and organised networks are the primary drivers of mobilisation for food sovereignty. Elsewhere, the concept has been institutionalized and incorporated into national food policy frameworks. However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding places where food sovereignty efforts are spearheaded by NGOised civil society. This study addresses this gap by examining five Civil Society Organisations promoting food sovereignty in Uganda through qualitative research. Through in-depth interviews, the study explores the implementation, activism, and mobilisation strategies employed by these organisations. The findings reveal that civil society organisations play a significant role in advancing food sovereignty in Uganda. They do so through practical initiatives such as disseminating knowledge, building capacity among smallholder farmers, promoting agroecological practices, and politicizing agricultural development through farmer mobilisation, policy advocacy, and formation of strategic alliances. Nonetheless, the study highlights critical areas for improvement. First, the need for better coordination among CSOs to create synergies that can enhance the impact and sustainability of their efforts. Second, the need to complement non-contentious strategies with more politically assertive actions to address systemic barriers. Finally, the need to forge alliances for FS among rural producers, urban consumers, and other non-farming populations. The main takeaway from these findings is that Food Sovereignty is a dynamic and context-dependent concept, requiring equally flexible strategies to promote it. Therefore, the choice of mobilisation strategies should be carefully adapted to the unique political, cultural, and economic context, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Climate change undermines seafood micronutrient supply from wild-capture fisheries in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries

Marine ecosystem functions are affected by climate change impacts such as ocean warming, deoxygenation and acidification. These impacts drive changes in distributions and body size of fish species and directly affect fisheries. Wild-capture fisheries are crucial for providing nutrients, livelihoods, and employment in tropical Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries, where coastal communities are highly vulnerable to climate change. We examined the impacts of climate change on fish stocks and nutrient availability of seven key micronutrients (calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and zinc) in Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). We combined micronutrient demands by local human populations with Sea Around Us reconstructed catch time series and catch projections from a dynamic bioclimate envelope model for the 21st century. The model predicted a decline in the Maximum Catch Potential (MCP) within Exclusive Economic Zones for Oceania, Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asian countries. Under the ‘strong mitigation’ scenario, catch potential reductions ranged from a decline of 54–66 % in Oceania, 58–92 % in Pacific Islands, and 65–86 % in Southeast Asia by the mid to the end of the 21st century relative to the historical period, respectively. Under the ‘no-mitigation’ climate scenario, reductions were more severe, with a decline of 55–70 % in Oceania, 66–92 % in Pacific Islands, and 70–86 % in Southeast Asia for the same time periods. Our findings indicate that Australia and New Zealand are unlikely to meet the recommended nutrient intake demand for most micronutrients through their fisheries (not considering trade or aquaculture production), except for iodine and vitamin B12. Pacific Island countries will likely follow the same pattern while Southeast Asia is expected to face worsening deficits, except for iodine and vitamin B12. This study highlights the importance of incorporating nutritional considerations of seafood into national food, trade and economic policies.

Increase in colonic PRopionate as a method of prEVENTing weight gain over 12 months in adults aged 20–40 years (iPREVENT): a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, parallel-group trial

Obesity drives metabolic disease development. Preventing weight gain during early adulthood could mitigate later-life chronic disease risk. Increased dietary fibre intake, leading to enhanced colonic microbial fermentation and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, is associated with lower body weight. Despite national food policy recommendations to consume 30g of dietary fibre daily, only 9% of adults achieve this target. Inulin-propionate ester (IPE) selectively increases the production of the SCFA propionate in the colon. In previous studies, IPE has prevented weight gain in middle-aged adults over 6 months, compared with the inulin control. IPE is a novel food ingredient that can be added to various commonly consumed foods with a potential health benefit. This 12-month study aimed to determine whether using IPE to increase colonic propionate prevents further weight gain in overweight younger adults. This multi-centre randomised-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted in London and Glasgow, UK. Recruited participants were individuals at risk of weight gain, aged between 20 and 40 years and had an overweight body mass index. Sealed Envelope Software was used to randomise participants to consume 10g of IPE or inulin (control), once per day for 12 months. The primary outcome was the weight gained from baseline to 12 months, analysed by an 'Intention to Treat' strategy. The safety profile and tolerability of IPE were monitored through adverse events and compliance. This study is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials (ISRCT) Database (ISRCT number: 16299902). Participants (n=135 per study arm) were recruited from July 2019 to October 2021. At 12 months, there was no significant difference in baseline-adjusted mean weight gain for IPE compared with control (1.02kg, 95% CI:-0.37 to 2.41; p=0.15; n=226). Neither the IPE (+1.22kg) nor the control arm (+0.07kg) unadjusted mean gains in body weight reached the expected 2kg threshold. In the IPE arm, fat-free mass was greater by 1.07kg (95% CI: 0.21-1.93), and blood glucose elevated by 0.11mmol/L (95% CI: 0.01-0.21). Compliance, determined by intake of ≥50% sachets, was reached by 63% of IPE participants. There were no unexpected adverse events or safety concerns. Our study indicates that at 12 months, IPE did not differentially affect weight gain, compared with the inulin control, in adults between 20 and 40 years of age, at risk of obesity. NIHR EME Programme (15/185/16).

Food insecurity and its severity among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in health facilities, northcentral Ethiopia: a multi-facility-based cross-sectional study.

Food insecurity plays a crucial role in predicting the spread of HIV due to the adverse effects of coping mechanisms adopted to mitigate it. However, there is a scarcity of context-specific evidence regarding food insecurity among HIV-infected adults. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the context-specific magnitude of food insecurity and associated factors among adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in health facilities in the North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the 95-95-95 HIV treatment target in the local context. A multi-facility cross-sectional study was conducted among 865 HIV-infected adults receiving ART and being followed up for their treatment. We included health facilities that provide ART, including four hospitals and six health centers. A log-binomial regression model was fitted to identify the association between food insecurity and independent variables. Adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with a 95% confidence interval were computed to measure the strength of the association. In this study, 290 (33.7, 95% CI: 30.60, 36.91) of the HIV-infected adults studied had food insecurity during their treatment and follow-up, of which 152 (52.41, 95% CI: 46.64, 58.13) and 110 (37.93%, CI: 32.50, 43.68) of them were found to have severe and moderate forms of food insecurity, respectively. We found that being younger (APR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.60), being female (APR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.39), lacking formal education (APR = 10.79, 95% CI: 14.74, 24.58), having lower educational status (APR = 5.99, 95% CI: 2.65, 13.54), being a daily laborer (APR = 6.90, 95% CI: 2.28, 20.85), having low monthly income (APR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.22), advanced WHO clinical stage (APR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.10), and receiving ART for less than 4 years (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.09, 4.74) were significantly associated with a high proportion of food insecurity among HIV-infected adults. The magnitude of food insecurity among HIV-infected adults receiving ART was high, with an extremely high magnitude of severe food insecurity. The finding suggests the need for culture- and context-specific nutritional interventions to address the gender dynamics of food insecurity, attention to the early stage of ART, and the integration of strategies to improve educational status and enhance income-generation activities of HIV-infected adults. This requires an emphasis on the link between food insecurity and HIV in Ethiopia's national food and nutrition policy.

National Food Policies and Food Security in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

Food insecurity remains a persistent challenge in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) due to a combination of frequent climate shocks such as droughts, floods and livestock diseases. These extremes disrupt traditional ways of life and devastate crops and livestock, leaving communities with little to no food. This paper examined the effect of national food policies and strategies on food security in these fragile regions, specifically focusing on initiatives designed to address the recurring problem. The arguments of the decentralization and institutional capacity theories were used to guide the analysis. Methodologically, the study employed a descriptive survey research design to inform data collection and analysis. The research established that despite government interventions, food insecurity remains prevalent in ASAL regions. The causes of this insecurity are multifaceted, encompassing factors such as climate variability, restricted access to resources and socio-economic disparities. The paper recommends a review of national food policies targeting ASALs to align them with the drivers of food insecurity. The review should include community engagement and stakeholder collaboration to attain effective and sustainable solutions.

Farm animal welfare regulatory preferences and food choice: survey evidence from the US

Public support is critical for the incorporation of farm animal welfare (FAW) standards into national food policies. Multiple pathways, e.g., market-based policies, political mandates, and donations to animal charities, exist for the public to influence these standards. The challenge often remains that citizens may express significantly different regulatory preferences from consumers thereby disproportionally overburdening the latter. For food, this consumer–citizen role is directly linked to dietary choice. Although a large body of research has examined the determinants of dietary choice on the one hand, and FAW policy preferences, on the other, no attempt has been made to address these issues side by side. This study explores the preferences for FAW regulatory mechanisms and strategic behavior among dietary groups. Preferences for private labeling, political mandates, and donations to charities in support of and against conventional agriculture are examined. Data are from an online survey of 1020 residents conducted in the US. The results show a proclivity among segments of the public who do not consume livestock products for political mandates and the tendency to behave strategically. Regulatory preferences are embedded within distinct human value orientations. Urban—non-urban, generational and gender divides in regulatory preferences are also identified. These insights are relevant for the ongoing development of FAW standards given the portfolio of mechanisms at the disposal of stakeholders.

Food Security Right and Food Policy in India

India’s food policy evolved in the wake of the Bengal Famine of 1943, which caused deaths of more than one million people. This famine was attributed partly to lack of adequate supplies of food grains and partly to lack of purchasing power of the victims. A Food grains Policy Committee was appointed in 1943 under the chairmanship Sir George Theodore. The Committee recommended rationing of food grains to overcome similar grave situations in future. Since then, successive governments have been trying to (i) increase the level of food grains production in the country through offering minimum support price (MSP) to the farmers and (ii) to create mechanism for supply of grains to consumers. Public Distribution System (PDS) has been evolved to safeguard the interests of the consumers, particularly the weaker and vulnerable sections of society. It is evident that since India’s Independence food and agricultural policies in the country have aimed at reducing hunger, food insecurity and poverty. At the same time attention has also been given to raise food grains production and maintaining adequate stocks of food grains as a measure of food security (Tyagi, 1990). Attainment of food security is, therefore, a big challenge for India. This research paper discusses the food security right and National food policy in India.

The Association of Socio-Economic Factors and Indigenous Crops on the Food Security Status of Farming Households in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Indigenous crops have been proposed as part of a solution for household food security and sustainable farming systems. However, they have been overlooked and underutilised by households and farmers despite their potential contribution to household food security. The objective of this paper was to determine the association of socio-economic factors and indigenous crops with the household food security of farming households. About 260 farming households were selected using a simple random sampling procedure. The food security status was measured through the use of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The Chi-square test and extended ordered probit regression model assessed the relationship of socio-economic factors and indigenous crops with household food security status. The results from the HFIAS showed that farming households were largely in the mildly and moderately food-insecure categories, with 34.2% and 36.2% of the sampled farmers found in these categories, respectively. The Chi-square test showed a statistically significant relationship between food security status and socio-economic factors. Young men and everyone were perceived to be the ones likely to consume indigenous crops. Consumption of indigenous crops was perceived to be associated with food security. The results also showed that farming experience is likely to positively contribute to the food security status of the farming households. Selling indigenous crops in a formal market is perceived to be associated with food security compared to selling in an informal market. This study concludes that consuming indigenous crops is likely associated with improved food security. Identifying an appropriate market for sales of indigenous crops is imperative. Government, extension officers, and nutritionists must conduct training workshops to encourage households to grow, market and buy indigenous crops. Government and policymakers need to include indigenous crops in the national food and nutrition security policy and create formal markets for indigenous crops.

Evidence for initiating food safety policy: An assessment of the quality and safety of donated food at an Australian food bank

Food banks play a vital role in addressing the needs of people experiencing food insecurity. Food banks rely on the food industry, particularly supermarkets, for food donations, and on voluntary labor to scrutinize and sort donations for quality and safety. Currently, national food safety laws and policies in Australia regulate food businesses, but do not specifically apply to donations. There are reports of expired, spoiled, and rotten food donations and clients express dissatisfaction with the quality and safety of food provided. This study describes a novel approach to visually identify and assess the safety and quality of food donations at an Australian food bank. Data from an audit of donations to a metropolitan food bank were analyzed. Food safety assessment criterion were developed based on food safety standards and applied to 1217 items (84,996 kg) of donated food. Each product was visually inspected and assessed as ‘safe’, ‘unsuitable’, ‘potentially unsafe’, or ‘unsafe for human consumption’ upon receival. Of the 84,996 kg of donated food, 96 % was categorized as satisfactory and 4 % (3761 kg) was categorized as either unsafe (2024 kg), potentially unsafe (1313 kg) or unsuitable (424 kg) for consumption. Supermarket donations comprised 90 % (by weight) of the unsafe and unsuitable food. The overall proportion of visually unsafe and unsuitable foods was low, but consumption of any unsafe, hazardous and/or damaged products poses a risk to the consumer. Given the vulnerability of clients receiving this food, the public health risk is high. The management of potential risk is problematic too as multiple decisions to determine appropriateness for distribution, places demands on food banks and hampers efficiency. The findings underscore the clear need for a specific food safety regulatory framework for donated food in Australia.

An analysis of the transformative potential of Australia's national food policies and policy actions to promote healthy and sustainable food systems.

Despite commitment by many countries to promote food system transformation, Australia has yet to adopt a national food policy. This study aimed to evaluate Australian Federal Government's (AFG) food policies and policy actions potential to promote healthy and sustainable food systems. This study is a desk-based policy mapping followed by a theoretically guided evaluation of policy actions. This involved three steps: (1) identification of government departments and agencies that could influence Australia's food system; (2) identification of food policies and policy actions within these departments and (3) use of a conceptual framework to evaluate policy actions' potential of changing the food system as adjust (first-order change), reform (second-order change) or transform (third-order change). Australia. None. Twenty-four food policies and sixty-two policy actions were identified across eight AFG departments and the Food Regulation System and evaluated based on the order of change they represented. Most policies were led by individual departments, reflecting the absence of a joined-up approach to food policy in Australia. Most policy actions (n 25/ 56·5 %) were evaluated as having adjust potential, whereas no transformative policy action was identified. These findings suggest that Australia is likely to proceed incrementally towards achieving food system change through adjustments and reforms but lacking transformative impact. To promote transformative change, all three orders of change must be strategically implemented in a coherent and coordinated matter. A comprehensive national food policy and a national coordinating body are needed to ensure a cohesive approach to policy.

Ethiopian Street Foods: Working Conditions and Governance Perspectives. A Qualitative Study.

Street foods are foods and beverages as either ready for direct consumption or minimally processed, prepared, and/or sold by vendors and handlers. The objective of this study was to explore the condition and governance of street foods in Ethiopia. A qualitative exploratory study was employed from December 2022 to January 2023 in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma, cities of Ethiopia. Twelve respondents comprised key informants from selected governmental sectors were interviewed. The purposive sampling method was used to recruit study participants. The number of participants interviewed was determined by the information saturation criterion, and data were collected at the interviewee's offices. Data were collected by using key informant interview technique and audio recorded. An interview guide was used to facilitate interviews and thematic analysis was employed. The Overall data management process was conducted using Atlas-ti V 8 software. The result revealed there were 4 thematic areas these were street food vendors and vending process, policy content and implementation, integration and coordination of sectors, and the way forward. The street food vendors prepared their food in an insanitary manner, absence of common working places for the vendors, lack of due emphasis for the street food vendors in the national food and nutrition policy, lack of formalization and legalization of street food vendors, poor coordination among sectors and institutions work on street food governance, and weakness on the implementation of rules and regulations in controlling street food vendors were the prominent gaps that were identified in the policy. Though Ethiopia has a national food and nutrition policy, the policy doesn't adequately address the street food vending sector. Besides, it is not well communicated to the implementers resulting in poor policy implementation. Quantifying socio-economic benefits of street food vending activities in Ethiopia needs further investigation.

Empirical Analysis on Import Diversification of Major Livestock Commodities in Malaysia

The long-standing underperforming self-sufficiency status of major ruminant commodities in Malaysia signifies that the livestock sub-sector is confronting crucial import dependency status, particularly beef and mutton. The self-sufficiency indicated stagnating and even deteriorating trends over the years, stemming from a massive gap between domestic production and the demand requirement for meat products. Various efforts and strategies are implemented to expand local beef and mutton production, yet the performance remains insignificant. This crucial situation further urges the government to implement the liberalization of import quota for the two main meat commodities, aiming to provide meat supply based on current needs either at the industry or consumer level and further facilitate market equilibrium for meat products. Nevertheless, the import tendency has concentrated on a few dominant markets, globally. Previous studies suggested trade diversification is crucial for multiple reasons towards creating a more sustainable economy and food security. Therefore, this study identifies the status of trade diversification of primary livestock commodities and measures the association between trade diversification and economic performance in Malaysia. Time series databases (2000 – 2020) were utilized and analyzed using quantitative methods to estimate the import diversification index (ID) using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), which is further used as an endogenous variable to develop the import diversification empirical model, while the exogenous variables include gross domestic product per capita, food security, and total factor productivity. The Import Diversification Index confirms beef import market demonstrates a low diversified import or highly concentrated market, whereas mutton showed more diversified import markets. The results showed that national gross per capita income and food security status are the two variables that significantly influence the country's concentrated import markets for beef and mutton import diversification status. This study also found that per capita national income, self-sufficiency, and total factor productivity significantly affect the trade diversification degree for beef and mutton imports in Malaysia. Despite being massively dependent on meat (beef and mutton) imports, none of the specific studies has attempted to measure the trade diversification circumstance in Malaysia. The findings of this study are useful in strategizing the diversification of import markets, particularly for primary ruminant livestock commodities, in line with the national food security direction and policy agenda in Malaysia.

Millet's Role as a Climate Resilient Staple for Future Food Security: A Review

This review comprehensively examines the role of millets as a sustainable and resilient food source in the context of global climate change and escalating food security challenges. Millets, a group of small-seeded grasses traditionally grown in semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia, are re-emerging as crops of significance due to their remarkable adaptability to harsh environmental conditions and their rich nutritional profile. The review begins by outlining the various types of millets, including pearl, finger, and foxtail millet, and their geographic distribution, emphasizing their adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. It then delves into the nutritional aspects of millets, highlighting their high content of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids, making them a potent solution to combat malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in many developing regions. A critical focus is placed on the climate resilience of millets. Their exceptional drought tolerance, ability to thrive in poor soil conditions, lower water, and nutrient requirements compared to staple crops like wheat and rice, and resistance to pests and diseases underscore millets' potential as sustainable crops in increasingly unpredictable climatic scenarios. This resilience not only promises to bolster food security but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices. It explores the challenges and limitations in millet cultivation, processing, consumer acceptance, and market integration. It highlights the current gaps in millet-focused agricultural policies, the need for improved processing technologies, and strategies to enhance consumer appeal and marketability. Innovations in millet breeding for enhanced traits, advances in processing technologies, and the impact of biotechnology and climate-smart agricultural practices are examined. These technological and scientific advancements present opportunities for overcoming existing challenges and enhancing the role of millets in global food systems. Also presents case studies from various countries, particularly India, illustrating successful initiatives in millet cultivation, integration into national food policies, and community-led efforts. These examples offer valuable insights into practical approaches for promoting millets.

Water insecurity is associated with greater food insecurity and lower dietary diversity: panel data from sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

There is growing recognition that water insecurity – the inability to reliably access sufficient water for all household uses – is commonly experienced globally and has myriad adverse consequences for human well-being. The role of water insecurity in food insecurity and diet quality, however, has received minimal attention. Data are from panel surveys conducted during 2020–21 among adults involved in smallholder agriculture in Niger (n = 364, 3 rounds), Nigeria (n = 501, 5 rounds), Senegal (n = 501, 5 rounds), and Ghana (n = 543, 5 rounds). We hypothesized that household water insecurity (measured using the brief Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale) would be associated with greater individual food insecurity (using 5 of the 8 Food Insecurity Experiences Scale items) and lower dietary diversity (using the Minimum Dietary Diversity Score for Women). At baseline, 37.1% of individuals were living in water-insecure households and of these, 90.6% had some experience of food insecurity. In multilevel mixed-effects regressions, individuals living in water-insecure households had 1.67 (95% CI: 1.47, 1.89) times higher odds of reporting any food insecurity experience and were estimated to consume 0.38-fewer food groups (95% CI: -0.50, -0.27) than those living in water-secure households. Experiences with suboptimal water access and use are associated with poor nutrition. The pathways by which water insecurity impacts nutrition should be identified. Global and national food and nutrition security policies could be strengthened by monitoring and developing strategies to address household water insecurity.

Policy and Strategic Responses to Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia.

Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be one of the persistent challenges in Ethiopia. The country has been responding to the challenges in various ways to foster sustainable development. The objective of the study is to assess national food and nutrition security policy and strategic responses. A qualitative review of policies, strategies, programs, guidelines, and a government commitment, document was conducted. Interviews with experts from food and nutrition-implementing governmental and nongovernmental organizations were also employed. Thematic analysis with description was used. The results of the study revealed that global initiatives stimulated Ethiopia to progressively take various strategic directions to address the ongoing food and nutrition challenges. In addition to various policy directions, the country has been implementing nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive programs under the multisectoral approach. The concepts and practices of food and nutrition security shifted from simply balancing the demand and supply of food to a broader and more inclusive food system approach with the involvement of multiple actors. However, more has been said than done. The policy, strategic objectives, and initiatives have not been adequately translated into practices. Actions toward ensuring food and nutrition security, on the other hand, are constrained by institutional, environmental, technological, and emerging priorities like an outbreak of a pandemic and political instability. The study concluded that available policy and strategic intents have sufficiently addressed food and nutrition challenges in documents and need to be fully translated into practices.

Healthy nutrition as a disease prevention factor: WHO Policy and National Experience (to mark the 75th anniversary of WHO in Ukraine)

In the context of the constant increase in the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases, the World Health Organization's (WHO) activities are aimed at developing policies and strategies in the field of non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, which have been continuously evolving. The work is dedicated to examining the sequential policy of the WHO outlined in documents regarding the link between nutrition and the development of non-communicable diseases. The objective of this study is to identify the main stages of WHO's policy on healthy nutrition as a key prerequisite for preventing the development of non-communicable diseases and outline the corresponding measures in Ukraine. Materials and methods: informational, bibliographic, normative-legal. The study utilized systematic-structural, formal-logical, bibliographic, and non-forma­lized (traditional) analysis methods. An analysis of WHO's policy on healthy nutrition as a factor in preventing the development of chronic non-communicable diseases has been conducted. The key stages of policy development and decision-making at the global level over the past three decades have been identified. It has been determined that the evolution of the role of nutrition within WHO's policy has progressed from urging governments to develop national food policies and create national action plans in the 1990s to global strategies and actions that have taken place in the 21st century. The basic WHO documents regarding the link between nutrition and the development of chronic diseases have been examined, as well as the expansion of understanding the content and necessity of healthy nutrition. The implementation of WHO's policy in Ukraine has been highlighted: the "National Action Plan on Non-communicable Diseases to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030" (2018) has been developed and implemented, serving as a roadmap for the development of a series of guiding documents. The most important of these documents pertain to the organization and standards of healthy nutrition for children. However, the formation of a national regulatory and legal framework regarding healthy nutrition has not yet been completed. It has been determined that Ukraine needs to improve its policy on limiting the use of saturated fats, industrially produced trans fatty acids, and marketing unhealthy food and non-alcoholic beverages targeted at children. There is a need for extensive informational and educational activities to promote WHO's recommendations on healthy nutrition.