A community food system analysis as formative research for a comprehensive anemia control program in Northern Afghanistan

Dietary strategies to reduce chronic iron deficiency anemia are still lacking for the rural poor in most developing countries. This study of 60 households (30 irrigated zone, 30 rainfed zone) in northern Afghanistan emphasized women’s seasonal food consumption and the relationships between household capacities and consumption. In both zones, iron-rich foods and foods affecting iron bioavailability were consumed in summer and winter diets. Households in the irrigated zone had more capacity for cultivation, food preservation and social networking in addition to owning more total livestock and food animals. Rainfed zone households scored higher on food preservation knowledge. Iron-rich food consumption was strongly associated with social networking and food preservation capacities, but weakly with socioeconomic proxies. Social networking showed no relationships to socioeconomic proxies. Agroecozone, social customs and food combinations should be considered in the design of health and food security programs to reduce anemia risk.

The African Green Revolution moves forward

The African Green Revolution is starting to gain momentum and there is now optimism about sub-Saharan Africa’s ability to rapidly increase its agricultural productivity. This is partly due to some key successes—at the local and national levels—of policies that support smallholder farmers. The 80 Millennium Villages, which comprise approximately 400,000 people in ten countries of sub-Saharan Africa, have drastically increased production of staple food crops, transforming food deficits into crop surpluses. Maize yields more than doubled at the village scale, from 1.7 to 4.1 tons ha⁻¹. In Malawi, because of a smart input subsidy program implemented by the government, maize harvests have greatly surpassed those of previous years, turning that country from a recipient of food aid into a food exporter and food aid donor to neighboring countries. Other countries are beginning to implement similar efforts. They will require novel financial mechanisms from the donor community to support them adequately. There is little question that sub-Saharan Africa can greatly improve food security with an ecologically-sound African Green Revolution supported by science-based policies, community mobilization, gender empowerment and effective governance.

碘盐在食品工业中应用的研究

我国缺碘区域广泛 ,并大面积流行碘缺乏症。在食盐中加碘是防治碘缺乏症的有效措施 ,为此 ,世界各国先后都将在食盐中加碘列为法规。在我国 ,虽然在民用盐中成功地应用了加碘盐 ,然而对于加工食品 ,特别是腌制食品仍然未应用加碘盐。我国腌制食品种类多 ,生产量大 ,其用盐量占有很大比例。为了在我国全面推广加碘盐 ,彻底防治碘缺乏症 ,有助于碘盐法规在我国的实施 ,为此我们进行了碘盐在食品工业中应用的研究。本研究结果表明 ,加碘盐适合于食品工业使用 ,对腌制食品不会产生任何不良影响。     

Present and future water requirements for feeding humanity

The Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture recommended that future food production should be concentrated on existing agricultural land in order to avoid further loss of ecosystem functions from terrestrial lands. This paper is a green-blue water analysis of water constraints and opportunities for global food production on current croplands (including permanent pasture). It assesses, for the target year 2050, (1) how far improved land and water management would go towards achieving global food security, (2) the water deficits that would remain in water scarce regions aiming at food self-sufficiency, (3) how those water deficits may be met by food imports, (4) the cropland expansion required in low income countries without the needed purchasing power for such imports, and (5) the proportion of that expansion pressure which will remain unresolved due to potential lack of accessible land. The water surplus remaining on current cropland is compared with water requirements for biofuel production as a competing activity.

Why does famine persist in Africa?

Famines were apparently eradicated from Asia and Europe during the twentieth century, but not from Africa, where three countries—Ethiopia, Malawi and Niger—have suffered mass mortality food crises since 2000. This paper locates the persistence of famine in Africa in simultaneous or sequential failures of food supply, demand for food, and humanitarian responses. Each of the three recent crises was triggered by a moderate decline in crop and/or livestock production, exacerbated by ‘exchange entitlement failures’—food price spikes and asset price collapses. The critical analytical question, however, is not why these famines happened, but why they were not prevented. Information failure is rejected as an explanatory factor in favour of ineffective and inappropriate interventions, adverse relations between governments and donor agencies at critical moments, and unaccountability for famine prevention in low-income countries with weak democracies and interventionist development partners.

Agricultural productivity in the lower Mekong Basin: trends and future prospects for food security

This paper examines the spatial and temporal variability and trends of agricultural productivity in the Lower Mekong River Basin. We also show the future productivity requirements for both food security and the maintenance of the basin’s export potential at the current level for the projected increase in population by 2030. We considered both rice and upland crops grown in the basin and estimated physical and economic productivity in terms of land and population. Both physical and economic productivity of rice in terms of land area and population is highest in Vietnam, moderate in Laos and lowest in Thailand and Cambodia. However, the physical productivity of upland crops such as sugarcane and maize is highest in Thailand. Economic productivity of upland crops is highest in Laos followed by Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, respectively and is much higher than that of rice. Total economic productivity is dominated by rice in all countries except Laos. In general, productivity has increased in all four riparian countries between 1993 and 2004 and there appears to be considerable scope for further increases, which will allow maintenance of the current level of rice export in the future, despite population growth.

Climate change, flooding and food security in south Asia

The most vulnerable groups in terms of food security during floods in south Asia under climate change will be the poor, women and children. Current procedures for the transfer of climate adaptation funds tend to marginalize these groups. Food production is being disrupted by flooding more frequently and more severely than before, due to climate change. By 2080 the situation is likely to be much worse than at present. Adaptation has to encourage management of all stages of food security, from the farm to the consumer, both urban and rural. Measures have to be participatory, from the community to the international level. While many individual initiatives offer hope and demonstrate good practice, institutional, economic and environmental factors may all impede the maintenance and enhancement of food security in south Asia. Innovative forms of food production, distribution and storage will have to be developed.

Exploiting locally available resources for food and nutritional security enhancement: wild fruits diversity, potential and state of exploitation in the Amhara region of Ethiopia

This paper features the composition of wild fruits, their exploitation and their potential contribution to improved food and nutritional security in three districts of the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Data were gathered through structured, semi-structured and key-informant interviews which were administered to the heads of 92 randomly chosen households. Focus group discussions and direct field explorations by the researchers were also undertaken. The results revealed that altogether 44 wild fruit species are available for use in the study areas. The fruits are rich in valuable nutrients and are accessible year-round with significant overlap at times of acute food and nutrient scarcity. Nevertheless, owing to the peoples’ cereal-based dietary habits, cultural perceptions and attitudes, the current state of fruit utilization is very low. Consequently, the potential nutritional contribution of wild fruits to the people’s diets remains largely unexploited. In order to remedy this situation, a wider and sustained acceptance of wild fruits as important dietary components must be fostered.

Spatial variation in biodiversity, soil degradation and productivity in agricultural landscapes in the highlands of Tigray, northern Ethiopia

There is a growing concern about food security and sustainability of agricultural production in developing countries. However, there are limited attempts to quantify agro-biodiversity losses and relate these losses to soil degradation and crop productivity, particularly in Tigray, Ethiopia. In this study, spatial variation in agro-biodiversity and soil degradation was assessed in 2000 and 2005 at 151 farms in relation to farm, productivity, wealth, social, developmental and topographic characteristics in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. A significant decrease in agro-biodiversity was documented between 2000 and 2005, mainly associated with inorganic fertilizer use, number of credit sources and proximity to towns and major roads. Agro-biodiversity was higher at farms with higher soil fertility (available P and total N) and higher productivity (total caloric crop yield). Low soil organic matter, few crop selection criteria and steep slopes contributed to soil erosion. Sparsely and intensively cultivated land use types, as determined from satellite images, were associated with high and low agro-biodiversity classes, respectively, as determined during on-farm surveys in 2005. This study gives insight into the recent changes in and current status of agro-biodiversity and soil degradation at different spatial scales, which can help to improve food security through the maintenance of agro-biodiversity resources.

Addressing the food crisis: governance, market functioning, and investment in public goods

The 2007–08 food price crisis has not only increased food insecurity around the globe, but also exposed long-term failures in the functioning of the world food system. Establishing a global governance architecture for governing food, nutrition, and agriculture as well as improving market functioning and increasing investment in public goods will be critical for the way forward. Three high-priority policy actions are necessary to cope with urgent needs for food and nutrition security and at the same time build a stronger food system that can respond to future challenges: (1) improve productivity and scale up research investments; (2) expand nutrition and social protection, (3) strengthen markets and trade.

Soil degradation as a reason for inadequate human nutrition

Soil degradation affects human nutrition and health through its adverse impacts on quantity and quality of food production. Decline in crops’ yields and agronomic production exacerbate food-insecurity that currently affects 854 million people globally, and low concentration of protein and micronutrients (e.g., Zn, Fe, Se, B, I) aggravate malnutrition and hidden hunger that affects 3.7 billion people, especially children. Soil degradation reduces crop yields by increasing susceptibility to drought stress and elemental imbalance. Strategies include: improving water productivity, enhancing soil fertility and micronutrient availability, adopting no-till farming and conservation agriculture and adapting to climate change. There are also new innovations such as using remote sensing of plant nutritional stresses for targeted interventions, applying zeolites and nanoenhanced fertilizers and delivery systems, improving biological nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal inoculation, conserving and recycling (e.g., waste water) water using drip/sub-drip irrigation etc. Judiciously managed and properly restored, world soils have the capacity to grow adequate and nutritious food for present and future populations.

Iodine content in bread,milk and the retention of inherent iodine in commonly used Indian recipes

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) is still a major public health problem and iodized salt remains the most effective means to control IDD in India. Few reports indicate that vegans have inadequate iodine intake while at the same time concerns are being raised on the implementation of universal salt iodization in the country. Therefore, we investigated the iodine content in bread, milk and commonly used Indian recipes prepared without iodized salt and the retention of inherent iodine therein. Results showed considerable iodine content in bread (25 μg/100 g) and milk (303 μg/L) as a positive fallout of universal salt iodization. Iodine content in 38 vegetarian recipes prepared without iodized salt was very low (2.9 ± 2.4 μg/100 g). Retention of inherent iodine (65.6 ± 15.4%) and iodine from iodized salt (76.7 ± 10.3%) in the same recipes was comparable. Thus, universal salt iodization programme remains the single most important source of dietary iodine for the Indian population.     

Food security: definition and measurement

The term “food security” has been used over time to mean different things. This brief article discusses the various meanings attached to the concept and suggests that it can be a useful measure of household and individual welfare, particularly if combined with estimates of household food aquisition and allocation behavior. If nutritional security is the goal of interest, estimates of access to food should be combined with estimates of access to clean water and good sanitation. Anthrometric measures are likely to be more appropriate than food security estimates to target policies and programs to improved child nutrition.

CO2-Footprints for Food of Animal Origin – Present Stage and Open Questions

The environmental assessment of human activities is presently a hot topic. It is not only important from an ecological perspective, but also from the view of efficient utilization of limited natural resources such as fuel, land area, water und phosphorus. The environmental impact of food of animal origin is currently quantified by so-called CO_2eq-footprints. To define CO_2eq-footprints, emissions arising along the food chain will be calculated according to their greenhouse potentials (carbon dioxide = 1 eq; methane ≈ 23 eq, laughing gas ≈ 300 eq). For the primary production of milk, meat and eggs, emissions during crop production, transportation, the storing and processing of feeds, animal keeping, enteric losses and excrement management can be mentioned as examples. Data for CO_2eq-footprints in literature for beef and pork/poultry meat presently vary between 7–30 and 2–7 CO_2eq/kg empty body weight, respectively. Currently there are different gaps which must urgently be closed before CO_2eq-footprints can be specified correctly:

Progress in salt iodization and improved iodine nutrition in China, 1995--99

In 1993, the State Council of China announced the policy to virtually eliminate iodine-deficiency disorders (IDD) by 2000 and adopted universal salt iodization (USI) as the national strategy. Biennial province-based monitoring from 1995 onward aimed at capturing the use and iodine content of household salt, along with urinary iodine concentrations among schoolchildren from the same households. This paper reports on the progress made in China toward the goal of virtually eliminating iodine-deficiency disorders on the basis of 85 population-representative surveys in China's provinces during 1995--99. The percentage of households using adequately iodized salt (iodine > or = 20 mg/kg) increased from 43.1 % in 1995, to 82.2% in 1997, to 89.0% in 1999. In 1999, at least 90% of the households in 15 (48%) of the 31 provinces used adequately iodized salt, and a median urinary iodine concentration of less than 100 microg/L in children was reported in only one province. Across provinces, the median urinary iodine concentrations in children were positively correlated in each survey year with the median household salt iodine contents (combined r(s) = 0.74, p < .001) and with the proportions of households using adequately iodized salt (combined r(s) = 0.81, p <.001). Also in each survey year, the percentage of children with urinary iodine concentrations of at least 300 microg/L was correlated (combined r(s) = 0.69, p < .001) with the proportion of households using salt with iodine content of at least 40 mg/kg. The median urinary iodine concentration in children had reached 300 microg/L or more in 13 provinces (42%) by 1999. In a little more than five years, then, China has achieved outstanding progress toward the goal of virtual elimination of IDD through USI. Policy recommendations include improvement of quality assurance by salt manufacturers, along with a modest reduction in the mandated salt iodization levels.     

Reviewing the links between desertification and food insecurity: from parallel challenges to synergistic solutions

The challenges of desertification and food insecurity share considerable common ground, not only in terms of their myriad biophysical, political and socioeconomic drivers and links to the productivity of the land and soil, but also in the discourses and approaches that have informed their management. This paper reviews the elements common to both challenges and argues that due to their cross-cutting nature and the parallel pathways along which each issue has evolved, there is a strong case to be made for taking a synergistic approach towards the development of future solutions. In particular, it is argued that livelihoods and vulnerability approaches could be used as a common platform to inform more integrated interventions. This could enable multiple benefits to be harnessed for both challenges.

Price stabilization, international trade and national cereal stocks: world price shocks and policy response in South Asia

The sharp rise in international cereal prices in 2007 and 2008 had a profound impact on food security at national levels for net importing countries, sharply raising the cost of imports. Domestic trade policies and government market interventions in a set of South Asian countries have been critical, however, in determining the effects of the international price shocks on domestic markets. While these price shocks are a sober reminder that reliance on international markets will not guarantee price stability, it is important that governments do not over-react to recent events and adopt policies that ultimately result in large costs in terms of slower economic growth and less poverty reduction. Instead, national policies should involve some combination of (1) national stocks to prevent very large price increases, (2) reliance on international trade to limit the need for government interventions in most years, (3) promotion of domestic production through investments in irrigation, research and extension that is economically efficient when evaluated at medium-term border prices, and (4) targeted (ideally cash-based) safety net programs to address the food security needs of poor households. The appropriate design and implementation of these broad food policy guidelines will necessarily vary according to individual country conditions; the need to avoid government interventions that ultimately have very high costs is universal.

加碘盐与人体健康

20世纪90年代以来,全世界实行普遍食盐碘化(universalsaltiodization,USI)政策,在我国食盐加碘是持续消除碘缺乏病的重要策略,关系到国计民生。本文对碘缺乏危害(IDD)进行了详尽的介绍,包括其概念、临床症状以及缺碘与人口素质的关系,对依照《全国碘盐监测方案》开展的碘盐监测结果进行分析比较,并对今后IDD控制工作提出了建议。     

Impacts of modernisation on traditional food resource management and food security on Eauripik atoll, Federated States of Micronesia

This paper discusses the changes that are occurring in the management of food resources in a remote Pacific community due to modernising influences, such as the introduction of imported food and outboard motors as well as contemporary trends, such as emigration and greater population mobility. The paper focuses on several social circumstances observed during a seven month fieldwork period, many of which drive consumption of imported goods. Noting parallels to other isolated communities in the region, generalised observations are made and conclusions reached on the importance of understanding the social effects of ‘modernising’ projects for community food security.

Comparison of glucosinolate levels in commercial broccoli and red cabbage from conventional and ecological farming

Broccoli heads and red cabbage of both conventional and ecological origin were purchased from the market at monthly intervals over a 1-year period. After freeze-drying of the samples the glucosinolates were extracted, enzymatically desulphated and analyzed by HPLC-UV. Glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin and neo-glucobrassicin turned out to be the predominant glucosinolates in broccoli. Red cabbage contained similar amounts of glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin but, in addition, appreciable amounts of glucoiberin, progoitrin, sinigrin, gluconapin and glucoerucin, while neo-glucobrassicin occurred at trace levels only. No significance was found comparing the contents of glucoraphanin in the two cultivation groups for either broccoli or red cabbage. Organic broccoli and red cabbage both contained significantly higher amounts of glucobrassicin than their conventionally grown counterparts. Conventional crops of red cabbage yielded significantly higher quantities of gluconapin than ecological crops. Broccoli imported from Spain and Italy during the winter months yielded levels of glucosinolates similar to those of the home-grown products available in summer and autumn.