Archive for category: Food Security

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How Ramen Noodles Can Fight Global Hunger

Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles, the humble staple of college students and budget-conscious individuals, emerge as powerful tools for addressing poverty, fostering entrepreneurship and providing emergency relief. Beyond their affordability and widespread popularity, ramen noodles possess unique qualities that make them well-suited for tackling various socioeconomic challenges.

Ramen for Emergency Relief

A key advantage of ramen noodles in the fight against poverty is their extended shelf life. When stored properly, these dried or instant noodles can last for months or even up to a year. This longevity makes them invaluable resources in times of crisis, such as natural disasters or humanitarian emergencies. When disaster strikes, access to food becomes a pressing concern. With their long shelf life, ramen noodles can be stockpiled and distributed efficiently to affected communities. Their simplicity in preparation — just boiling water is required — ensures that even in dire circumstances, people can access a hot meal. 

Initiatives like the World Instant Noodles Association’s (WINA) “Donation of Noodles” program highlight the global reach of ramen as a tool for poverty alleviation. WINA’s efforts involve providing substantial quantities of instant noodles to regions affected by disasters or economic challenges, helping secure access to food for millions of people. In February 2023, WINA donated 100,000 servings of instant noodles to the regions affected by the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Beyond emergency relief, the income-generating potential of ramen noodles can catalyze entrepreneurship, particularly in low-income communities. Many small entrepreneurs around the world have harnessed the appeal of ramen noodles to create thriving businesses. One particular noodle-related success story comes from Hualong County in Qinghai Province, China. Residents of Hualong have used lamian (hand-pulled noodles) to lift themselves out of poverty. A decade ago, nearly half of Hualong’s 300,000-plus residents lived in poverty. Through the development of the lamian industry, Hualong County successfully eradicated poverty in the region. Currently, around 17,000 hand-pulled noodle restaurants, run by Hualong natives, operate across China, with an annual output value of 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) and involving 110,000 local people. The country’s government has also introduced initiatives to support poverty-stricken individuals in the lamian industry, leading to thousands emerging from poverty. 

A Path to Food Security

Ramen noodles offer a cost-effective solution for individuals and families struggling with food insecurity. Their affordability allows people on limited budgets to access filling and nourishing meals. This accessibility is vital in the fight against poverty, as inadequate nutrition can perpetuate a cycle of poor health and limited economic opportunities. By providing a source of convenient and satisfying sustenance, these organizations support vulnerable populations in maintaining their well-being. 

Challenges and Considerations

While ramen noodles offer a range of benefits in poverty alleviation, it’s important to acknowledge potential challenges. One concern is the nutritional quality of instant ramen, which can be high in sodium and lack essential nutrients. Organizations and individuals working with ramen for poverty alleviation must consider the need for a balanced diet and explore ways to supplement ramen with fresh and nutritious ingredients. Furthermore, the environmental impact of single-use packaging associated with instant ramen is a concern. Sustainable packaging options and responsible consumption practices are essential to mitigate this issue. 

Conclusion

Ramen noodles, often seen as simple and convenient meals, possess remarkable potential to alleviate poverty, foster entrepreneurship and provide emergency relief. Their long shelf life makes them invaluable in crises, their affordability makes them accessible to those on tight budgets and their popularity has fueled entrepreneurial ventures worldwide. By recognizing the diverse ways ramen is a tool for positive change, individuals, organizations and governments can work together to unlock the potential of this humble noodle to create a more equitable and nourished world.

– Genevieve Martin
Photo: Flickr

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WHO and UNICEF Respond to Hunger in the Horn of Africa

Horn of Africa Climate Crisis
For the last 40 years, the greater Horn of Africa has borne the brunt of changing weather patterns and its knock-on effects. Extended periods of extreme heat and poor rainfall have led to conditions of drought in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. This has affected crop growth and grazing land for animals, destabilizing already fragile subsistence farms and causing widespread hunger, thirst and desperation. Here is some information about what some are doing to address hunger in the Horn of Africa.

The Situation

Despite heavier rainfall during the wet season of 2023, the soil has become parched, damaged by severe and long-term drought and no longer able to absorb water. Floods have destroyed roads, washed away livestock and forced the closure of schools and medical facilities, on top of famine and water insecurity. More than 11 million people have become climate refugees, forced to leave their homes to seek pasture, food, water and medical treatment.

These factors have increased the risk of illness and disease. Contaminated water sources from flooding spread cholera, measles and other waterborne diseases. The nature of changing weather patterns means that extreme weather events such as these may occur more frequently and with more intensity. The resilience of these communities is reducing; many households are unable to bounce back before another onslaught of sickness, famine and financial loss.

Food Insecurity in the Horn of Africa

The number of people experiencing acute food insecurity has reached 45.8 million, with children among the most at risk. Four consecutive dry periods have killed crops and livestock, reducing the nutritious food available and food prices have inflated due to scarcity. The number of children under 5 years old suffering from malnutrition has skyrocketed to more than 7 million, with 1.9 million children at risk of death across seven countries. 

UNICEF

UNICEF issued an appeal in 2022, calling for funding to provide critical, life-saving treatment such as ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). Supported by donors, the organization addressed hunger in the Horn of Africa by assisting 30 million children and mothers at risk of malnutrition through education, nutrition, immunization and child protection services. Immediate actions also included addressing the water insecurity crisis by drilling water boreholes to improve community resilience to future climate emergencies. Investments in government child social schemes, in addition to nutrition and health systems, address the need for longer-term resilience. 

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been instrumental in coordinating efforts to treat diseases and provide food, water and sanitation. In Kenya, a rapid response team at county and sub-county levels was established to detect, report on and respond to drought early on. The government food and health emergency plan was revised in Ethiopia, as were the drought response activities. In Somalia, the WHO collaborated with UNICEF and 53 health partners to address the needs of internally displaced people. International cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya will combat the cholera outbreak. In Uganda, the WHO is responding to the measles outbreak by assisting with vaccinations and donating equipment to manage the number of cases. Along with the Ministry of Health, the WHO is training health workers, including nutrition leads, to manage health complications in Djibouti. 

Prompt responses to the effects of drought are crucial to the reduction of hunger in the Horn of Africa. Long-term damage to children’s well-being and devastation to livelihoods and the economy can be averted through a timely and well-coordinated course of action.

– Lydia Greene
Photo: Flickr

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Enhancing Food Security in Bangladesh

Food Security in Bangladesh 
In Bangladesh, approximately 40 million people face the harsh reality of food insecurity, including 11 million individuals dealing with acute hunger. Natural disasters have increased food insecurity, leading to a reduction in essential crop yields as follows: rice by 17% and wheat by a substantial 61%. The enhancement of rural agriculture initiatives offers practical solutions. These solutions are effectively improving food security in Bangladesh, while also having significant positive impacts on the entire nation.

Enhancing Agriculture for Food Security

From 2019, crucial programs sought to improve food security in Bangladesh, addressing the pressing issue of food poverty in the region. More than 225,000 farmers received support to adopt modern agronomic practices, focusing on irrigation, livestock management and pest and disease control. The leveraging of $2.2 million to enhance the business performance of high-value crop producers, thereby significantly increasing agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods in rural areas and further contributing to the alleviation of food poverty, complemented this effort. Additionally, these programs empowered 75,000 women, enabling them to apply improved management practices and technologies, both on and away from the farm, which played a vital role in the fight against food poverty.

Weather-Resilient Agriculture for Increased Food Security

In a recent collaboration between the government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, a $120 million financing agreement was signed to advance food security through the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project. This project modernizes flood management, drainage and irrigation infrastructures to enhance climate resilience in agriculture. It reduces crop damage from floods by 60% across 120,000 hectares of land.

Empowering 100,000 farmers with knowledge and skills related to climate-smart agricultural technologies, crop diversification and post-harvest management was also another goal of the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Water Management Project, aiming to fortify their resilience against weather challenges and ultimately mitigate the cycle of food poverty in the region. It also supports rice and fish/shrimp farming through the establishment of cold storage facilities and local market improvements, with expected outcomes including increased fisheries productivity by almost 37%, a 10% rise in vegetable production and a 7.5% boost in rice production, all contributing to food security.

Agriculture as a Key Driver of Poverty Reduction

Agriculture plays a crucial role in reducing poverty in Bangladesh. From 2000 to 2010, the poverty rate dropped from 48.9% to 31.5%, with more than 87% of rural people earning some income through farming. This progress resulted from investments in irrigation, high-yield crops, efficient markets and mechanization.

To continue reducing food insecurity and poverty, Bangladesh needs to focus on high-value agriculture, like horticulture, livestock, poultry and fisheries. This diversification is essential for future growth, particularly because two-thirds of rural households depend on both farming and other income sources. This pro-poor agricultural growth also boosts the non-farm economy, ultimately improving food security.

A Multifaceted Approach to Food Security

Food security in Bangladesh is a multifaceted challenge. Nonetheless, the collaborative efforts by USAID, the World Bank and the government of Bangladesh contribute to food security improvement. By improving agriculture and promoting climate-resilient practices, these initiatives alleviate food insecurity and poverty. Continued investment and development in these programs provide optimism for a brighter and more secure future for the people of Bangladesh.

Through initiatives like climate-resilient agriculture and agricultural diversification, Bangladesh is making significant strides in its battle against food insecurity. Continued investment from the government and international organizations holds the promise of a future where food security is a reality for all.

– Marnie Woodford-Venables
Photo: Flickr

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Vertical Farming Elevates Food Security in Singapore

Vertical Farming in SingaporeVertical farming, an innovative approach to agriculture, is offering new hope for food security in Singapore. The city-state, with limited land for traditional agriculture, has embraced the concept of growing crops vertically within controlled environments. As the global demand for sustainable food sources rises, vertical farming in Singapore is a typical example of how cities can feed their populations without relying heavily on imports.

Ambitious Local Goals

In 2019, the Singaporean government, through the Singapore Food Authority (SFA), set a target to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030, a significant increase from the less than 10% produced locally at the time the goal was set. This initiative, named “30 by 30,” pushed local enterprises to think creatively about urban farming solutions. Vertical farming quickly became a frontrunner in the quest to meet these targets. 

Sky Greens’ Innovations

One of the leading companies in this space is Sky Greens. Established in 2012, Sky Greens created the world’s first low-carbon hydraulic water-driven vertical farming system. This marked a significant stride in utilizing green urban solutions to enhance food supply security in Singapore. 

The vertical farming system is a tall A-frame structure with rotating shelves, which allows plants to receive uniform sunlight. This system uses just 0.5 liters of water to rotate a 1.7-ton vertical structure, with the water being recycled and reused within an enclosed underground reservoir system. The structures use gravity to rotate the rows of plants, ensuring equal distribution of nutrients and sunlight to each row. These towers are highly productive, producing ten times the yield compared to traditional soil-based farms covering the same area. Since its inception, Sky Greens has played a crucial role in Singapore’s urban farming scene, contributing to the local food supply and providing a model for sustainable agriculture in urban settings.

ComCrop’s Rooftop Farming and Aquaponics

Founded in 2011, ComCrop, another leading example in this sector, operates Singapore’s largest rooftop farm. ComCrop’s farm has 6,000 square feet on the rooftop of Scape, along Orchard Road. They also launched a new 36,000-square-foot rooftop farm complex in Woodlands in October 2018. 

The farm grows a variety of crops using advanced hydroponic technology which enables them to grow produce using less resources while achieving a greater harvest. This technology also uses 90% less water compared to traditional farming. ComCrop’s innovative system produces 150 kg of vegetables monthly and has the capacity to produce over 25,000 kg of produce in the first full year of production at their new farm complex in Woodland.

ComCrop directly supplies its produce to various food and beverage outlets within the vicinity of Scape, ensuring fresh delivery on the same day they are harvested. They emphasize sustainable farming practices and aim to reduce Singapore’s dependence on imported vegetables, and in doing so, they contribute to local food security.

Governmental Support and Global Implications

Singapore’s vertical farming success has been further bolstered by governmental support. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has been actively encouraging local enterprises to venture into high-tech farming through grants and funding. These incentives, combined with private sector creativity, have put Singapore at the forefront of urban farming globally.

Yet, vertical farming is more than just a technological spectacle, it is a testament to Singapore’s resilience and forward-thinking. As the climate crisis intensifies and land becomes more scarce, innovative solutions like vertical farming will be critical in addressing global food security concerns.

For countries or cities with limited agricultural spaces, Singapore’s story provides a beacon of hope and a blueprint to follow. By integrating technology with agriculture and combining private initiative with governmental support, it is evident that cities can indeed become self-reliant in food production. The future of farming is not just on the ground, it is in the sky too.

– Laeticia Mbangue
Photo: Unsplash

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The Lack of Food Security in Zambia

Food Security in Zambia
 Zambia, situated in Southern Africa, is renowned for its abundant natural beauty and wildlife, showcased in its many national parks. Yet, one critical issue that often receives insufficient attention in Zambia is the ongoing lack of food security that its people confront daily.

Population and Food Poverty

Zambia has a large population of 17.4 million, 48% of whom suffer from an array of illnesses due to malnutrition and under-eating. Because of this, 35% of children have stunted growth, meaning that these children will not grow to their full capabilities and are already being restricted from a young age.

That being said, there has been an improvement in the income of Zambia. In 2011, it was recorded to have received a lower-middle income status. This shows how things may be improving for the country overall, but that does not mean that they have reached a comfortable point, nor does it mean that the entire population is experiencing this improvement. There are still parts of Zambia that are progressing more slowly than others. 

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Food Security

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the lack of food security massively in Zambia. Alongside other factors like climate shocks, Knowledge For Poverty reports the country has experienced “prolonged dry spells, flooding, reduced livelihood opportunities due to restrictions linked to COVID-19, pests and diseases and high input and food prices.”

Although the pandemic had a knock-on effect globally, Zambia — a nation on its way out of poverty — is unfortunately back at square one. The rural areas were responsible for housing 60% of the population, which was affected the most. Furthermore, 54% of the Zambia population has been living on under $1.90 a day, which is significantly lower than the amount needed to live.

Malnutrition and Early Childhood

One of the main issues within Zambia is the effects of malnutrition. In a USAID report, the organization explored the cases of malnutrition among children and concluded: “Nationally, 40% of children under 5 years are stunted. Analysis by age group shows that stunting is highest (54%) in children 18–23 months and lowest (14%) in children under 6 months. Children in rural areas (42%) are more likely to be stunted than those in urban areas (36%).” This shows how severely the lack of food security within Zambia has and continues to affect children and highlights the importance of how people can help.

Feed The Hungry and African Vision of Hope

Feed The Hungry is a charity that works alongside the African Vision of Hope in order to reduce food poverty — particularly among children and young people — in Zambia. Together, these two charities are providing food for more than 5,000 children every day during school time to ensure that they at least have one sufficient meal and can focus on their studies in an attempt to break the poverty cycle. 

The work of charities such as these helps reduce the number of people affected by food poverty; however, it does not stop the issue itself. Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in relation to malnutrition, and this highlights the need for more charities and other support systems to direct efforts toward alleviating food poverty.  

Zambia’s experience with food security has been up and down for many years, marked by periods of both success and challenges. Recently, it has faced a difficult period due to various factors. These include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and significant fluctuations between droughts and floods. While the recovery is gradual, efforts are underway to improve the situation.

– Ella Bushell
Photo: Flickr

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The Plan To Fight Hunger in Sudan

Hunger in SudanOn September 9, 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a new plan to tackle hunger in Sudan. The Emergency Livelihood Response Plan (ELRP) for Sudan will support Sudanese individuals affected by the ongoing civil war.

To fight hunger in Sudan, the FAO will boost agricultural prosperity in the distribution of supplies, including seeds and treatment equipment for livestock. The plan aims to support 10.1 million people in Sudan and claims it will require $123 million in funding to implement over the next 12 months. 

Food Security in Sudan

The food situation in Sudan has worsened since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, when the Sudanese Armed Forces clashed with the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum. Violence and resulting displacement have significantly impacted the country’s food supply system, which has led to hunger and malnutrition within Sudanese communities. 

With a population of 48.6 million, more than 20 million (42% of Sudanese) are thought to be food insecure. Record high levels of food insecurity have been seen each year since 2020. As a result, the World Food Programme (WFP) has placed Sudan in the highest emergency response category. The Overarching goals of the WFP in Sudan in the wake of the crisis reflect some of the country’s most pressing issues: treatment for malnutrition, the provision of school meals and the wider employment of common services — namely, logistics and telecommunication. 

The FAO’s Latest Plan

Four main priorities front the FAO’s new strategy to improve the food security situation in Sudan: high-quality seed, livestock and veterinary support, fisheries support and cash+ modality. A shared action between these branches of support is the plan to target specific households, using data to determine the most vulnerable farmers or fishers. For example, they seek to know who will benefit significantly from the program. 

Cash+ modality is an extensive method of support. For the Sudan ELRP, using cash+ involves a combination of ‘unconditional cash assistance and in-kind support coupled with training during the dry season’ (FAO). It is a two-fold mechanism that will provide varied aid to vulnerable agricultural households. The FAO’s outline for its plan addresses the need for specially designed, time-sensitive assistance to ensure the food security situation in Sudan can improve all year round. 

As it tackles the issue of hunger, the ELRP for Sudan primarily comes under the progress of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to eradicate global hunger by 2030. The FAO also incorporates other SDGs into its plan for Sudan. For example, it will make progress towards SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in directing priority support towards female-headed agricultural households in the country since these households are statistically more food insecure than those headed by men. 

Conclusion

The FAO has a vast history of achievement, from its conception in 1945 to the present day. Amongst these successes, the FAO helped halve hunger statistics for individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean, currently maintains the largest global statistical database on food and agriculture and eradicated rinderpest. This disease proved fatal to livestock. 

Such a list of past achievements makes the FAO one of the key organizations in the fight to end extreme poverty. The planned improvement of food security and agricultural provisions in Sudan is a step towards advancing humanitarian aims and achieving global equality.

– Alice Weatherley
Photo: Unsplash

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Food Security for Venezuelan Refugees in Colombia

Food Security for Venezuelan RefugeesThe collapse of global oil prices in 2014 led to a rapid economic decline in Venezuela and subsequent hyperinflation. In 2015, this caused a rebellion and the forming of a major opposition group whose leader Guaidó became the interim leader of Venezuela. The standoff between the two leaders was exacerbated by U.S. and EU support for Guaidó and Russian and Chinese support for Maduro. Social services could not be provided, and as a result, many refugees traveled underfed and carrying disease. While Maduro managed to get inflation down a bit in his presidency, the pandemic caused a second economic decline causing a second wave of refugees to arrive into Colombia.

More than 7.2 million Venezuelans fled their country from 2019 to 2023 due to the violent revolution and economic turmoil. Approximately 2.5 million have sought refuge in Colombia, and about 980,000 Colombians who were working there had to return to their home country — which now has to support over 2 million refugees seeking jobs and housing. This has caused an obvious strain on food security in Colombia. 

The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Colombia identified 7.7 million people in the country to be in need of humanitarian assistance, in particular food security, health and protection. As of February 2023, approximately 30 percent of Colombian households were food-insecure. More than half of the migrant and refugee population in Colombia — 1.3 million people — face acute food insecurity.

Foreign Aid

USAID provided more than $958 million in response to the regional crisis since 2018. The primary focus was emergency food security in Colombia — cash transfers for food, food vouchers redeemable in local markets, hot meals and food kits for traveling refugees. Additionally, USAID has supported five NGO partners since 2021 to provide critical protection interventions such as hygiene kits, reproductive services and temporary shelter. In 2023, $47 million was set aside from the budget for this kind of emergency assistance. The U.S. understands that prosperous countries are great trade partners. Since 2012, Colombian agricultural exports to the United States have grown by more than $2.1 billion.

In hopes of boosting economic growth to accommodate the high number of refugees, the Colombian government signed a 2022-2026 National Development Plan amid the Venezuelan conflict. It was created with the help of e-government and regional input, the document being translated into 51 dialogues. There are five major outcomes, one of them being food security in Colombia. The country plans to increase food availability by improving roads for transport and providing online platforms to inform and help farmers with their logistics and operations. Colombia’s President Petro promised in 2022 to buy 1.23 million acres of land to give as farmland to rural communities in an effort to strengthen food security. Another of the five major outcomes is security for the individual — which encompasses a wider health care system, crucial for new refugees carrying disease. 

Unfortunately, many humanitarian aid groups face restrictions when trying to access certain communities in Colombia notably Guaviare, Nariño and Norte de Santander. OCHA, an emergency agency within the U.N. reported a 133% increase in restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Colombia between January and April 2023. President Petro signed a peace agreement with Maduro in 2022, and it is theorized that eager to re-establish ties with Venezuela, Petro downplayed the magnitude of the humanitarian issues Venezuela’s migrants face. Additionally, Colombia still does not have enough money to keep the economy stable. A Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan — aimed at helping Venezuelan migrants in 17 Latin American and Caribbean host countries — only received about 8% of the $1.72 billion in funding it needed for 2023. 

Final Thoughts on Food Security for Venezuelan Refugees

Thankfully some services have been in Colombia since before the conflict and have strengthened the economy. The U.N. Agency IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) has services to increase the productivity and income of small-scale farmers and rural entrepreneurs. The agency does this through the improvement of its assets, its association capacity, its access to markets and access to inclusive financial services. The NGO is creating partnerships with the private sector to develop permanent agribusinesses. It is crucial that the food available is well-distributed.

Thanks to foreign aid and a welcoming government, Venezuelan refugees are slowly gaining safety and food security in Colombia. Though much progress needs to be made for Colombia’s economy and refugees, international coverage of the Venezuelan conflict has brought in substantial finances to ease Colombia’s strain and give hope to its people.

– Claire Duvillier
Photo: Flickr

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Potential of Grass Charcoal for Improving Livelihoods in Ghana

Grass CharcoalAs of 2023, around 6 million people in Ghana rely on wood fuel and tree charcoal for daily use, mainly for cooking, energy and income. Producing charcoal is an unsustainable practice and has led to deforestation and land degradation in Ghana. Therefore, the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS), with the support of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has developed an alternative to wood fuel and tree charcoal by converting savannah grass into charcoal.

As of 2023, there have been two successful pilot projects in Ghana’s savannah and upper-west regions. The potential of grass charcoal for improving livelihoods in Ghana is significant. The replacement helps reduce ecological risks like bushfires and deforestation, events that threaten food security, creating employment opportunities and opening new markets by selling surplus grass charcoal produced by local communities.

How Is Grass Charcoal Made?

Producers make grass charcoal by harvesting dried savannah grass and burning it to produce an organic carbonized matter. Making the grass briquettes requires a binding agent to ensure the organic carbonized matter sticks together. Instead of using income to buy a product that binds the organic matter together, the locals have “developed a cassava dough that works just as well.” Then, the mixture goes through a compressor, which creates the briquettes. Then, the briquettes dry and are ready for cooking or selling at the market. 

The Grass Economy

Grass charcoal creates employment and income opportunities throughout rural Ghana due to the commoditization of grass; citizens can sell grass to people who produce briquettes, creating a grass market and an alternative form of income for locals. As of 2023, 488 people have been trained by the MITDS and FFF to sustainably harvest grass, produce briquettes and market any excess surplus for sale.

To further improve marketability to increase profits from the sales for local Ghanaian entrepreneurs making this charcoal, the MITDS and FFF have also developed grass paper used to package the charcoal to improve recognition of the product and allow producers to sell their goods at a higher price, increasing their profit margins. Furthermore, this grass paper has been identified as a good substitute roofing material for rural homes, improving insulation in houses and keeping them cool and dry during the dry season. 

Another potential way grass charcoal can improve livelihoods in Ghana is through carbon offsetting. Every 100kg of grass charcoal burned saves two trees. According to the MITDS, if Ghana uses grass charcoal widely across the nation, it could potentially offset “over 44,000 tons of carbon a year.” In monetary terms, the potential estimated income from carbon offsetting would be around $394,000, which could be reinvested into the economy, further improving livelihoods in Ghana. 

Increased Food Security

Using grass charcoal is essential for increasing food security in Ghana. During the harsh dry seasons, savannah grass often fuels large-scale bushfires. These disasters can decimate crops, affecting food security and livelihoods for people who rely on farming as a form of subsistence. In 2015, the Northern Region lost more than $5 million to the bushfires that destroyed farms and property.

In 2019, 400 hectares of rice farms were destroyed by bushfires in the Upper East and Northeast regions. Furthermore, in 2022, farmers living in Walewale, a small town in Ghana in the West Mamprusi Municipal, lost their livelihoods and produce to bushfires. The monetization of grass has placed an economic value on the resource, creating demand for harvesting and selling grass, consequently providing more protection from bushfires, reducing the damage done to farmlands and improving food security in the region.

The potential of grass charcoal to improve livelihood in Ghana has vast implications for food security, employment and income. Since it’s a relatively new invention and has only been trialed in specific regions of Ghana, it needs to be scaled up to see the full-scale impact. One of the main issues with grass charcoal is its cost,$8.95 per 100kg, around double the price of wood charcoal, with the higher cost attributed to the extra ingredients needed, mainly the binding agent used to make the briquettes. Policymakers are considering “government incentives to drive its adoption” to address this problem. This strategy has been used in Ghana, most notably when they promoted gas stoves as an alternative to wood charcoal stoves. 

– Kishan Patel
Photo: Flickr

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Food Insecurity and Mental Health Around the Globe

Food Insecurity and Mental Health
In 2023, 9.2% of the world’s population faced chronic hunger, mostly in the developing world. Tragically, nearly one in five people in Africa are undernourished, compared to less than 3% in North America and Europe. 

Many may be familiar with the physical cost of hunger. However, they might not know the crippling psychological harms that food insecurity imposes. The interplay between food insecurity and mental health is one more reason why addressing global hunger has never been more urgent. 

The State of Food Insecurity and Mental Health 

Food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to nutritious food, often due to economic constraints. It raises the risk of chronic hunger, preventing people from leading active and healthy lives. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the world has witnessed inflation and scarcity, plunging 122 million more people into hunger in 2023 compared to 2019. 

Worrying about securing food, or living in perpetual fear of hunger, subjects low-income people to constant stress with serious potential consequences for their mental well-being. A Canadian study found that those grappling with food insecurity are three times more likely to report adverse mental health outcomes. Similarly, research in the U.S. estimated that food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic had three times the negative impact on mental health that pandemic job loss did.

The Hidden Cost of Living with Hunger 

Food insecurity itself inflicts psychological harm. However, some coping strategies can also breed anxiety or shame, particularly if social stigma marks them. This is another way food insecurity and mental health are tragically connected. 

Here are several common strategies for coping with food insecurity: 

  • Buying cheaper foods 
  • Borrowing money for food, or borrowing food 
  • Limiting food intake, especially parents limiting their food intake to ensure their children have enough to eat 
  • Begging for food 
  • Using government assistance or charitable programs, such as food banks 

In South Africa, where more than 20% of households experience food insecurity, researchers estimate that as many as one in five households have resorted to begging for food. This has an association with a higher risk of psychological harm compared to other coping strategies because of the uncertainty, danger and stigma that surrounds begging. 

The Path to Progress  

Improving food assistance mechanisms like government food banks or charitable programs may not provide a comprehensive solution when taking food insecurity and mental health into account. Especially when individuals risk being seen receiving food aid, seeking help often triggers embarrassment or stress. That means going to a local food bank is not enough to truly free people from the harms of hunger. 

Meaningful and sensitive improvements to tackle food insecurity could prove effective in combating mental health crises around the world. One promising initiative is Feed the Future, a program that the U.S. government funds and manages. In its 20 countries of operation, Feed the Future employs a three-part strategy including developing agriculture, building community resilience and working towards whole-population nourishment. Notably, this initiative builds systems for long-term food security, rather than short-term relief. 

From 2011-2021, Feed the Future secured $4.8 billion in funding for global food security and generated nearly four times that amount in global agricultural sales. The program estimates that 23.4 million more people are above the poverty line due to its work around the world.

The connection between food insecurity and mental health provides just another reason why combating global hunger is of the utmost importance. With compassionate, awareness-driven food aid, it is possible to alleviate hunger and benefit the physical and mental health of millions around the world.

– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr

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Farmers and Food Security in Africa

Food Security in AfricaFood security in Africa is a serious issue caused by many different factors. Poverty is certainly a pressing one, but factors like extreme weather, disease outbreaks, political or market instability and conflict also have significant impacts. Often, these things play off of each other — yet poverty is nearly always a central figure. The global poor are significantly more likely to lose secure access to food in the face of other coinciding circumstances. That is why there are a number of initiatives that respond to food crises in impoverished places.

Agriculture Food Insecurity and Africa

In Africa, drought spreads across much of the continent, COVID-19 continuously threatens the economies of many countries and 281 million people are food insecure. In fact, 55 million African children under the age of five are considered severely malnourished. Yet, agricultural development to foster food security is consistently a small portion of national investments, as 48 out of 54 African governments spend only about 3.8% of their budgets on agriculture. Without access to nutritious food to eat every day, many Africans are looking for ways to make the agricultural systems more efficient and resilient. In a 2022 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conference, representatives from more than 50 African countries came together to discuss regional agricultural systems and how they might be improved. Ultimately, it was decided that there are a number of factors that play into the development of agriculture in Africa — such as digitalization, education, infrastructure and financing. Agricultural development, through whatever form it takes, must be a priority in the future if food insecurity can ever be eradicated. 

The CAADP

A number of programs support this move toward continent-wide food security in Africa. The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) is one initiative that looks to reduce poverty and foster food security in Africa through agricultural development. It is a continent-wide program led by a number of African countries. It has four primary goals: Sustainably manage land and water control systems, improve rural infrastructure and trade, increase food supply and improve agricultural development. Participating governments allocate around 10% — or more — of national budgets to agricultural and rural development. As a result, they have achieved agricultural growth rates of 6% per annum.

The FSRP

The Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa (FSRP) is an impressive new project to increase food security in Africa. As of 2022, the World Bank Group approved $2.3 billion of funding to make it possible. With a focus on food crisis response strategies, the FSRP works to strengthen warning systems, increase emergency support, supply food reserves and create trade measures. It also increases the resilience of food systems — meaning they rely on the production of farming to provide for food-insecure places. This is done through the support of agricultural programs such as the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). Thus, the FSRP can strengthen agricultural resilience and allow people to sustainably live and eat. 

Beyond Food Security in Africa

Agricultural development surely combats food insecurity, but its positive impacts go beyond that. Agriculture is the backbone of many African economies — crops, livestock, fisheries and more provide 80% of the population with jobs, contribute 43% to the continent’s GDP and account for 70% of export earnings. Thus, initiatives such as the FSRP are more than just food-based programs. They fight poverty itself.

– Char Nieberding
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