Office of Overseas Programming & Training Support (OPATS)

Introduction to Food Security

Defining Food Security

Food Security exists when all people, at all

times, have physical and economic access

to sufficient safe and nutritious food that

meets their dietary needs and food

preferences for an active and healthy life.

(1996 World Food Summit)

Key Facts

Estimated 925 million hungry people in the world By 2008, 33.3% of Tanzanians lived below the Basic

Needs Poverty line and 17% of the population was below the food poverty line.

# of people undernourished (millions): 13.7 Proportion of undernourished in total pop: 34% Child malnutrition, underweight: 44% Child malnutrition, underweight, stunting: 50% Child mortality rate (per 1000 live births): 108

Key Facts

Approximately 40% world’s arable land is degraded by climate change and worsening

Half a billion small farms in the world support 2 billion people

Poor people spend 50%-80% of income on food Agriculture accounts for more than 25% of GDP and

75% of the labor force Total Land area (1000 ha): 88 580 in TZ Arable land (1000 ha): 9 600 in TZ

Learning Objectives

Introduction to Food Security

Introduction to Feed the Future

Describe The EAT Squad’s role and

responsibilities

Identify at least three activities that can

improve food security

Food security and health

Food security and environment

Food security and livelihoods

Every PCV is also a Food Security Volunteer

Why focus on food security?

4 Food Security Components

Food Security

Availability

Food availability addresses “supply side” of food security

Determined by

1. Food Production Levels

2. Stock Levels

3. Net Trade

Access

Food access depends on household’s ability to :– obtain food from their own production, stocks, purchases, gathering– obtain food from food transfers from relatives, members of the community,

the government, or donors– individual household members’ access to resources

Household ability to meet food needs (over a year) varies due to:– inadequate crop production by the household due to poor soils or lack of labor– loss or decrease in income sources such as employment, social obligations– natural disaster.

Utilization

Individual nutritional status is determined by sufficient energy and nutrient intake, which results from:

• good care and feeding practices• food preparation• diversity of diet• intra-household distribution of food

The way the body uses various nutrients in food

GOOD NUTRITION

Stability

Food security varies across geography and varies for each person depending on circumstances.

“At all times” = the stability dimension of food security.– Emphasizes reducing the risk of adverse effects on food availability,

access or utilization. “All people, at all times” is integral to the definition of food

security and is key to achieving national food security objectives

Access, Availability, and Utilization should be stable over time and not affected negatively by natural, social, economic, or political factors.

Inadequate food consumption varies from a short-term experience to a lifelong condition.

Two types of food insecurity

Chronic food insecurity Transitory food insecurity

Long-term or Persistent

Extended periods of poverty, asset scarcity inadequate access to

productive or financial resources.

Long-term or Persistent

Extended periods of poverty, asset scarcity inadequate access to

productive or financial resources.

Food Insecurity—Duration

Short-term & Temporary

Relatively unpredictable and can emerge

suddenly.

Short-term & Temporary

Relatively unpredictable and can emerge

suddenly.

Gender & Food Security:Women’s Role in Food Security Women and children under the age of 5 are the most

affected by food insecurity

Women bear the brunt of domestic and agricultural tasks:•Preparing and cooking food•Caring for children, the elderly, and the sick•In Africa, the HIV/AIDS pandemic burdens caretakers even more•Processing food crops, providing water and firewood, picking fruit

Women are primarily responsible for their families’ health, education, and nutrition.

Brainstorming….

There are many ways to respond to food insecurity and help your communities improve their capacity to reduce poverty and increase food security

When you get to your community, list a few of the things that you need to do to begin work on addressing food security.

Feed the Future

US governments global hunger and food security initiative

FTF started in Mali (2007) and now is in 21 countries of Africa + Nepal

PCTZ and FtF signed a partnership in March 2013 5 year contract with funding Objectives include trainings, small project assistance and

M&E

Feed the Future

Eight private sector implementing partners focused on different aspects of Food Security

Partners with PCV’s due to access to villages

Important funding source for grants

The EAT Squad

Eight volunteers from all three sectors and a wide range of regions

Facilitate trainings

Manage resources

Support YOU! In YOUR food security endeavors

The EAT Squad

To promote access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to improve quality of life by providing knowledge, skills, and resources to volunteers and Tanzanians

USALAMA WA CHAKULA

QUESTIONS??NIULIZE