Perception Of Food Security Research Articles

Small-scale family famers’ perceptions of food security in their respective communities in la macarena meta, Columbia

Small-scale family famers’ perceptions of food security in their respective communities in la macarena meta, Columbia

Food Security in Rural Bangladesh: A Comparative Study of Scientific and Grassroots Perceptions

The literature provides a comprehensive understanding of the scientific definition of food security in terms of its conceptual meaning, measurement and analysis. However, this definition contrasts significantly with the non-scientific or local understanding of food security. This article illustrates this disparity by examining the scientific definition and perception of food security in rural Bangladesh. Data was collected through qualitative research using focus group discussions and in-depth case interviews with smallholder farmers. The results reveal a significant difference between the scientific and local definitions of food security, with the latter being defined as having a sufficient supply of rice to last the entire year. Their food security is largely influenced by their socio-economic realities, coping strategies, and social networks, and the disparity in understanding of food security differs across the categories. This study highlights the importance of understanding the local perspective of food security for development practitioners, experts and policymakers, which has serious implications from a policy perspective.

KETAHANAN PANGAN DAN PENINGKATAN PENDAPATAN PETANI MELALUI TUMPANG SARI KANGKUNG DAN KELOR DI KELURAHAN BONTORAMBA KECAMATAN SOMBAOPU KABUPATEN GOWA

AbstractThe water Spinach and morinaga intercropping system is an agricultural product in the context of increasing farmer income and efforts to fulfill family food. The research was conducted in the Bontoramba sub-district, Sombaopu District, Gowa Regency by sampling in a saturated sample with a total of 36 farmers doing intercropping farming of moringa and kale. The sampled farmers were given questions using a questionnaire guide and conducted group discussion forums (FGD). Data were analyzed using income analysis, and farmers' perceptions of food security (income, available food sources, as well as the level of farmers' knowledge were analyzed in percentage form and strengthened by presentation in verbal form. Income from water spinach farming was Rp.1,896. 178.22/Ha in one growing season, while Moringa farming provides an income of IDR 669,954.91/Ha. Kale farming income is greater than Moringa because the amount of production is greater than Moringa.Meanwhile, farmers' perceptions of food security in terms of income with the system intercropping, they agree by 83.33% that income provides an alternative for farmers to fulfill food in order to support food security Farmers' perceptions of food security in terms of fulfilling food needs, they agree by 100% that intercropping can meet food needs (vegetables) for farmers and lutes price, and nutritional needs are met. Farmers' perceptions of food security in terms of knowledge agree by 77.78% that there are benefits from these two plants being intercropped as vegetables, although there is still a lack of knowledge about the other benefits of kale and moringa plants, as well as more detailed knowledge of the reasons for these two plants being intercroppedKeywords: food security, income, intercropping, kale, moringa

Undergraduate nursing and medical students' perceptions of food security and access to healthy food in Qatar: a photovoice study.

The present study explored nursing and medical students' perceptions of food security, their access to healthy food and the circumstances that affect their access to healthy food in Qatar. The photovoice method was adopted in the present study. Students submitted their photos pertaining to food security and their access to healthy food in Qatar. Afterwards, the students completed an online synchronous semi-structured interview. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. After the data analysis, a focus group discussion was conducted for member checking. The present study is a collaborative project between two universities in Qatar: The University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) and Qatar University (QU). Undergraduate students (seven nursing students and nine medical students) were recruited, asked to collect photos and interviewed. Four themes emerged from the data. First, food retail environments promoted unhealthy eating. Second, fast food under stressful circumstances: a sense of comfort. Third, food as a symbol of culture and socialisation. Finally, the paradox of access to affordable and healthy food in Qatar. Undergraduate students highlighted various circumstances that affect their perceptions of food security and their access to healthy food in Qatar. Future research that aims at understanding the facilitators and barriers to access healthy food at the university campus may help to improve nutrition interventions targeting those students. Future initiatives should focus on leveraging various resources to assist universities in tailoring their food initiatives to suit their students' local needs.

Consumer Perception of Food Security during the Period of Covid19 Pandemic

Food security has become a challenge to already disadvantaged average Nigeria consumers as a result of sudden shocks occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic. This study therefore investigated consumers’ perception of food security during COVID-19 pandemic in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. In this study, 3 research objectives and research questions were used. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised of consumers in 3 area councils (Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje) of the 6 area councils in the FCT. A total of 400 respondents were used as the sample size. Multistage sampling procedure was adopted for the study. A combination of stratified sampling and proportionate random sampling techniques were used. In the structured questionnaire titled “Consumers’ Perception of Food Security during COVID-19 Questionnaire” was used as instrument for data collection, and 11 items were used. Content validity was used. Test-retest method of reliability was used to obtain the internal consistency. The reliability index was obtained through Cronbach alpha (0.89). Out of the 400 questionnaires administered, 379 were returned valid, representing 95% success rate. Data collected was inputted into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 25) software package where descriptive statistics, in the form of tables were generated. The study found among others that: only 16.6% of consumers in the FCT received food palliatives from government during the COVID-19 lockdown, consumers were not satisfied with the high prices of food stuffs in the markets, there is food security problem in Nigeria and government is unserious on ensuring affordability of food for low income consumers. This study recommends that the organized private sector and government should invest heavily in mechanized agriculture, Federal and State Governments should create Ranches and Grazing Reserves for herdsmen, the Federal Government should create Grazing Reserves in the Sambisa Forest and link this to Cattle Markets across the federation, the Federal Government should open the land borders to allow food importation to reduce current high prices of foodstuff. Keywords: Consumers: Food Security: COVID-19 Pandemic: Cattle Ranching: Grazing Reserves: Nigeria.

The Role of Entrepreneurship in the Sustainable Development of Rural Areas in Russia

Analysis of numerous works on the historical development of agri-food production and the organisation of agri-food systems convincingly demonstrates that each development stage was organised to successfully meet the challenges of civilisation. Based on the analysis results, I hypothesise that there have been five historical stages of development of agri-food systems. Nowadays, both national and regional agri-food systems are increasingly introducing the institutions of the innovative agri-food system 6.0. The agri-food system 6.0 is based on a new perception of food security focused on identifying and satisfying the individual needs rather than meeting the basic food demand of the population. Numerous researchers have repeatedly noted that only entrepreneurs can consider specific and varying needs of different population groups, as, unlike large agricultural businesses, they have the flexibility to organise production and offer consumers the demanded products. An analysis of works on the historical development of agri-food systems in different countries, as well as a detailed study of agri-food production trends of the Russian agri-food system confirm the hypothesis. The research results determine the role of rural entrepreneurial ecosystems in the development of both the national agri-food system and rural areas. The obtained findings can help examine the role of individual actors in ensuring the sustainable development of the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as identify universal and specific factors influencing its development.

Tough fishing and severe seasonal food insecurity in Amazonian flooded forests

Abstract Billions of people rely on harvesting wildlife for food, and must contend with catch rates that vary in space (e.g. overharvesting near communities) and time (e.g. seasonal migrations). Yet, research has overlooked potential linkages between reduced wildlife catch rates (catch‐per‐unit‐effort) and food security. Moreover, assumptions that people living in biologically rich environments are food secure lack empirical testing. This is problematic given that food security rests on having stable access to sufficient food, rather than there being sufficient food. We examine spatiotemporal variation in fish catch rates and perceived food security among rural communities in Amazonian flooded forests. We also assess social inequities in food insecurity. We used structured interviews to collect data on fishing, hunting, chicken and beef consumption, and perceptions of food security. We did so during 556 household visits along a spatial gradient (1,267 km) of commercial fishing pressure, during high‐ and low‐water seasons. We provide the first empirical evidence of simultaneous seasonal crashes in wildlife catch rates and food insecurity. During the high‐water season, fish catch rates were 73% lower, and the probability of not eating for a whole day was four times higher. With a third of households skipping meals and a sixth not eating for a whole day during this season, food security can be classed as severe. However, less‐deprived households tended to avoid severe food insecurity. Fish catch rates and perceived food security did not vary along a spatial gradient of commercial overfishing. River‐dwelling Amazonians increased fishing and hunting efforts during the high‐water season, without eating more chicken and beef, emphasizing the importance of stable access to wild fish and bushmeat. This study shows how wildlife catch rates and food security can crash seasonally and simultaneously, demonstrating the fallacies of environmental and social policies which assume stability of food availability in resource‐rich areas. Our results have implications for degraded habitats where falls in catch rates also occur. This suggests that overharvesting, as with other causes of reduced catch rates, could cause food insecurity in wildlife‐reliant populations. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Perception of Food Security at Household Level by Students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Summary Subject and purpose of work: The aim of this paper was to identify how students of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn perceived food security at household level. It was verified whether selected students were able to define properly the terms connected with the topic and how food safety was assessed. Materials and methods: The survey was performed using a questionnaire as the research tool. The survey was conducted at three faculties in the following courses of studies: economics, law, and bioengineering of food production. Statistical data were included. Results: Most of the respondents considered food security at household level in Poland to be at a satisfying level. In most respondent’s households, expenditure on food in relation to income was at a higher level than the national average. Conclusions: Food security in the households of the surveyed students was ensured. The economic availability of food in the analysed households was good, as most respondents were able to purchase high quality food products.

Food nutrition and food security of China in a new development phase

Food security is a problem that requires strategic, scientific and comprehensive solutions, and has great significance for national security and the wellbeing of the people. As China’s socio-economic development and modernization enter a new historic phase, its food security is faced with new challenges and risks. Managing these challenges and risks will be of vital importance for the country and its people in order to ensure appropriate food production, supply and consumption. This study begins with the various aspects of food provision and consumption, analyzes the major changes in nutrition and food demand and provision under current conditions, presents the resource and environmental risks as well as their correlations with food security, and proposes a comprehensive strategy and policy suggestions for the future. The authors consider that nutrition and food security remain the top priority of the issues relating to agriculture, rural areas, and rural people, and propose that the agricultural development of the nation is in a critical stage of improving both food quality and production efficiency in the backdrop of practicing a Rural Vitalization Strategy and building a Modern Socialist China. Six approaches are raised by the authors to address these issues, i.e., (1) Establish a new perception of food security; (2) Comprehensively reconcile the conflicts between market and government by applying less restriction to the market; (3) Balance domestic and international markets, and make better use of international market goods; (4) Lower the production costs in the country; (5) Promote green development, and urge that agricultural production follow the natural law; (6) Explore a new agricultural development paradigm, and inspire new momentum for rural growth. The authors further insist that the current agricultural production policies need to be scrutinized to comply with the current status of the urbanization process, aging society and agricultural modernization trends, and in order to be coherent with the national strategy in this new stage. As a consequence, it is critical that each and every part of the food security system and policy framework is lifted up to this optimal level in order to bring the market fully into play, and that the domestic and international resources and markets are well considered and utilized under the Belt and Road Initiative. All efforts combined must be dedicated to transform the agricultural sector, to build a green, open, inclusive, and sustainable food security system, and to achieve national food security and the green development of China.

Food security and edible plant cultivation in the urban gardens of socially disadvantaged families in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Subsistence farming in urban gardens may be a strategy for food and nutrition security, particularly in socially disadvantaged families, because it eases access to food. This study aimed to assess the following factors in socially disadvantaged families: (1) prevalence of food insecurity, (2) characterization of gardens and cultivation of edible plants in urban areas, and (3) relation between characteristics of urban gardens and cultivated edible plants and food security in families. A survey was conducted on the management and cultivation of plants in gardens and on the perception of food security according to the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale for 118 families living in urban areas in the municipality of Vicosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We observed that 78.8% of families were exposed to food insecurity and were socially vulnerable. Among these, 56.8% experienced mild food insecurity conditions, 15.3% moderate conditions, and 6.7% severe conditions. Management of urban gardens and cultivation of edible plants vary widely according to families’ needs and interests, available space, age of farmers, cultivation time, and previous relationship between the family and rural environments. There was no relation between characteristics of gardens, management, and cultivation of edible plants in urban gardens and the perception of food security of socially disadvantaged families.

Percepción de la Seguridad Alimentaria de los hogares del municipio San Ramón, Matagalpa 2014-2015

Esta estudio tiene la importancia de conocer los activos que las comunidades de San Ramón tienen a su disposición para satisfacer sus necesidades básicas de alimentación, desde la percepción de la seguridad alimentaria, que le permitan alcanzar su bienestar nutricional. El municipio de San Ramón es caracterizado con una incidencia de pobreza y vulnerabilidad nutricional. La investigación tiene una perspectiva holística en la cual se fundamenta la propuesta de la sustentabilidad ligada a la acción del hombre en relación a su entorno. El presente estudio es descriptivo y observacional, con un enfoque mixto, es decir cualitativo-cuantitativo. La muestra estuvo constituida por 301 hogares, en las comunidades de Monte Cristo, Los Limones, Mil Bosque, El Horno I, Yucul Central, San Ramón, El Plomo, Mata Palo, La Garita, Siares el Toro, Siares La Virgen, El Naranjo, Trentino Obrero, San Pablo, Sabana Grande, Wabule, El Jícaro II, Azancor I, El Esquirín y del casco urbano, los barrios La Cruz y Álvaro Castillo. La prevalencia de inseguridad alimentaria en hogares visitados en el área urbano y rural de San Ramón, es del 89 %, y el 19 % tienen seguridad alimentaria. El 69% tienen jefe de familia varón y 31 % mujer, integrado por familia extendida con sobrinos, abuelos y cuñados. En general, existe inseguridad alimentaria en los hogares donde hay niños y jóvenes, en los que se observa la preocupación por los alimentos sino su afectación en la calidad y cantidad de alimentos y sino también en el padecimiento de hambre.

Exploring mechanisms of food insecurity in indigenous agricultural communities in Guatemala: a mixed methods study

The country of Guatemala has one of the highest rates of chronic child malnutrition in the world, which primarily affects the rural, indigenous Maya population. In this study we explore the apparent paradox of endemic food insecurity and child malnutrition coexisting in Maya communities alongside a predominance of agricultural land holdings and food production. A mixed methods design explored food availability and access in a rural indigenous agricultural community, as compared to a nearby urban indigenous community. Structured surveys in both open-air markets and corner stores examined price, quality, and availability of foods. Structured household surveys examined land ownership, crop production, perceptions of food security, and the diversity of children’s diets. Key informant interviews with local farmers clarified findings related to land holdings and farming patterns. Children’s diets demonstrated a lack of diversity, and were especially deficient in dairy, flesh foods, eggs, and vitamin A-rich foods. Food insecurity was highly prevalent, with limited availability of, and access to, nutritionally diverse foods. In particular, the expansion of nontraditional agricultural exports (NTAEs) reduced food availability by displacing subsistence crops. Poor returns on investment for NTAEs limited the available cash for food purchasing, further exacerbating poor diets. Food availability was further reduced by infrequent access to open-air markets in the rural setting as compared to the urban setting, with high risk of food spoilage. As a result much food purchasing was of low-cost, low-quality processed food which, unlike higher-quality fresh foods, were equally affordable and available in both the rural and the urban environment. The proliferation of NTAEs and commoditized foods reduce dietary diversity and displace the production and consumption of fresh, nutritious foods, even in rural communities devoted primarily to food production. Rural agricultural communities in Guatemala therefore bear many resemblances to the urban “food deserts” of higher-income countries.

Connecting Women, Connecting Men: How Communities and Organizations Interact to Strengthen Adaptive Capacity and Food Security in the Face of Climate Change

Given the different roles that women and men play in households and communities, strategies to improve food security and build adaptive capacity need to take gender differences into account. In many developing countries, local organizations have a role to play in it. However, the degree to which there is an overlap among the priorities of men, women, and organizations (including non-governmental bodies, local government offices, and other agencies working in the community) is not generally known, nor do we know whether organizations are strengthening the adaptive capacity of both men and women effectively and equally. Using gender-disaggregated data arising from community-level participatory research and organizational-level interviews from 15 sites across West Africa, East Africa, and South Asia, we conduct a cross-regional analysis of local organizational landscapes as they relate to livelihoods and food security. We find that in all regions, women tend to value local organizations more highly and thus appear to be less connected to external organizations than men. Additionally, women’s perception of food security is broader than men’s, going beyond a production focus. Most of the local organizations with food security as a stated objective focus on production, which can marginalize/alienate women. Given the effects that climate change is predicted to have on food security, development organizations should consider the differing priorities of men and women, and use a gendered perspective when building adaptive capacity to respond to climate change, and to maintain/improve food security. Such work can, perhaps, most effectively be implemented through existing community groups.

Community Participation in Developing and Assessing Household Food Security in the Highlands of Northern Thailand

The communities in the highland environments are food insecure, depriving of land ownership, and less accessible to infrastructures and services. The present study aimed to understand how the highland communities perceived and defined their food security, and to develop community food security assessment. Two upland villages and three highland villagers in the Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand were selected. Quality research methods and tools were employed. The meaning of food security as given by farmers could be grouped into seven attributes. Using the FAO food security framework, there were 18 key indicators covered farmers’ meaning and perception of food security. Based on new modified indicators, the community's self-assessment showed that each village had reached different levels of food security. Thus understanding farmers’ perception and assessment of their food security would have practical implications for enhancing community food security.

Economic and Social Sustainability Performance of Jatropha Projects: Results from Field Surveys in Mozambique, Tanzania and Mali

This paper presents results from comprehensive field surveys of jatropha projects in Mozambique, Tanzania and Mali in 2012. The article singles out the salient economic and social impact results and derives lessons. The results clearly demonstrate the weak business case for jatropha biofuel production at this time. Plantations were found to be unviable because of insurmountable up-front capital requirements in combination with slow and unreliable crop maturation, inefficient oil pressing owing to a lack of scale and experience, inadequate utilization of by-products, and competitively-priced fossil diesel and palm oil. For smallholders, jatropha only has limited value as a hedge crop in environmentally and economically disadvantaged areas. Better prospects have to wait for the advent of improved jatropha varieties. Social impacts from the perspective of project managers were rather mixed: overall, food security perceptions were positive and no massive forced human displacements were noted so far, though some disputes over land access and compensation were reported. Labor legislation was apparently respected on plantations, and positive gender effects, regional income/employment effects and better public facilities were also reported. The projects generated considerable employment, albeit mostly of a temporary nature, as lack of economic viability had caused many projects to close down again. When introducing next-generation biofuel projects, better monitoring by various actor groups is recommended, as well as long-term investment plans that include integral exit strategies.

Pregnancy in Mbale, Uganda: perceptions of food security and influences on women's breastfeeding intentions (1014.7)

Pregnancy is a nutritionally vulnerable time for both the mother and the child; nutritional demands increase, as do the consequences for failing to meet these needs. Traditional beliefs, social support, psychological health, food security, other responsibilities, income, and autonomy in decisions all play roles in what women eat during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to understand women’s perceptions of food security during pregnancy, and to assess the concordance of desired versus actual dietary changes during pregnancy among low‐income pregnant women in Mbale, District, Uganda. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews (n=15) and one focus group (n=8) among pregnant women living in slum and rural settings. The majority of women report eating less during pregnancy. Often they describe eating fewer meals in a day, in addition to cutting out staple foods due to nausea. All women changed their eating habits during pregnancy, both cutting out foods that made them feel sick and introducing foods they considered to be necessary or healthier. Only two women felt they were in control of what and how much they ate; all others said that resource constraints prevent eating how much and what kinds of food they’d prefer. Half of the woman also worried that their household did not always get enough total food. Few women receive support for either food or responsibilities during their pregnancies. When asked, most women intended to exclusively breastfeed, but frequently misconstrued the definition of exclusive. Pregnancy should be a renewed focus among nutrition programs in Uganda, to dispel misconceptions around correct eating habits and help women form strong and achievable breastfeeding intentions. It is vital that even food insecure women gain access to adequate calories and nutrients in order to prevent low birth weight and stunted babies, and to give them enough energy reserves to feel confident in sufficient high quality breast milk.Grant Funding Source: Supported by a College of William and Mary Monroe Scholarship

“Amarrarnos Las Tripas” (tie up your gut): perspectives on food insecurity from Mexican‐origin seniors living in colonias along the Texas‐Mexico border (805.3)

Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States, with persons of Mexican‐origin as the largest subgroup. Accompanying an increased number of Mexican‐origin seniors are persistent poverty and high rates of food insecurity, especially among Mexican‐origin seniors who live in the burgeoning colonias along the Texas‐Mexico border. This study described the perceptions of food security among Spanish‐speaking Mexican‐origin seniors under conditions of material hardship and structural vulnerability in colonia areas of the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. In 2012, 95 Mexican‐origin seniors (22 men and 73 women) were recruited by promtoras de salud (community health workers) from clusters of colonias in four geographic areas of Hidalgo County (TX) to participate in focus group discussions conducted in Spanish. A promotora, trained as a moderator, conducted the focus groups using a semi‐structured interview guide developed with the assistance of promotoras. Discussions were audio recorded and underwent a 6‐stage process for transcription and translation into English. The mean age of participants was 65 y, 87 were born in Mexico, and 29% completed < 9 years of education).The results identified six major themes: stretching, most necessary, that’s good enough, amarrarnos las tripas (tie up your gut, which implies bear with the hunger), situación difícil (difficult situation), and not natural. This study shows that vulnerable Mexican‐origin seniors in the rural colonias are experiencing food insecurity and hunger. The voices of these marginalized people also stress the need for policy changes and action on federal, state, and the local community level to reduce food insecurity by providing more economic resources, expanding access to food and nutrition programs, and integrating culturally sensitive interventions and services.Grant Funding Source: Supported by AARP Foundation and CDC's PRC Healthy Aging Research Network

Mumbaikars’ Last Supper

The National Food Security Bill is all set to become an Act and give legal entitlement to the citizens of the country to food. However the Bill does not define what food security is; but simply focuses on cereal consumption and entitlement while countries elsewhere worry about dietary diversity. Hence, I thought I should begin by finding out what is the common man’s perception of food security. I conducted a short survey interviewing people from different backgrounds a la “What did you eat yesterday?” of The New York Times.

Consumers and food security: Uncertain or empowered?

Provoked by concerns about climate change, resource depletion and economic recession, the concept of food security has experienced a renaissance in international policy and research agendas. Despite this interest, the problem of food insecurity in wealthy countries has still not received enough attention. We argue that it is worthy of research and policy focus, because by examining the experiences and perceptions of food security amongst the 'global rich', we can develop more critical understandings of the implications of neoliberal constructions of the consumer as a driving force in moves towards more secure food systems. The paper draws on empirical data from shoppers in the United Kingdom to make three key arguments. First, it is important to retain the issue of economic access to food at the heart of discussions of food security, so that the concept is not reduced to the problem of how to increase agricultural productivity. Second, it is necessary to recognize the importance of food quality to consumer perceptions of household food security. Third, consumers do not necessarily share the neoliberal view that consumer choice is the engine for sustainability and food security. On the contrary, consumers in our research were well aware that food prices and the choices made available are shaped by forces beyond the control of individual shoppers. Overall, they expressed uncertainty about what food security means, about the causes of problems in the food system and about who should be responsible for ensuring access to affordable food for healthy living, for all.

Food expert and mass media: food crises (BBE 2001)- tranquillity food (2007)

This article uses the anthropological approach to analyse such important concepts in public health as the perception of food security. We analyse to expert-mass media. First, quantify and reflect on the news appeared in national and regional newspapers in Spain in two different periods:the BSE crisis(2000-2002) and “food tranquillity”(2007). Secondly, we analysed the perception of food expert through a qualitative methodology.