Archive for category: Food Security

Information and stories about food security news.

, ,

Protecting Nutrition Security in Rwanda amid USAID crisis

Nutrition Security in RwandaFrom receiving approximately $12.7 billion from USAID grants in 2024, to the slashing and the cancelling of USAID programs in 2026, Africa faces reductions in multiple life-saving programs focusing on HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health and nutrition.

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 55 million people face severe food shortages, and more than 13 million children could suffer severe malnutrition. Across the region, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger are the most affected by the cancellation of nutrition programs, with malnutrition levels inching towards critical and mortality rates among children skyrocketing. Rwanda also faces similar challenges due to the cuts in USAID; however, they are positioned better than neighbouring countries. Proactive planning, policy implementation, health services and nutrition programs underlay the long-term efforts towards nutrition security in Rwanda, enabling them to withstand the shocking blow of aid cuts.

The Long-Term Plan to Establish Nutrition Security in Rwanda

Rwanda’s government has taken a proactive, autonomous approach to direct foreign aid into investing and developing its own aid programs. This ensured the maximum and most efficient use of the foreign aid provided, and Rwanda used this to build a long-term nutrition security plan that cushioned the country during the aid cuts.

Rwanda’s National Food and Nutrition Policy served as a basis for the strategic plan from 2013 to 2018, including a framework for fortified foods for mothers and children, school milk programs, and community awareness campaigns, including the following programs, which have delivered results amid the aid crisis.

Shisha Kibondo

This program saw the local production of a range of nutrient-dense fortified blended food (FBF) products under the brand Shisha Kibondo. These supplements are freely distributed among children younger than 2 years. Pregnant mothers also receive a locally produced maize-corn flour blend with a vitamin/mineral premix. The FBP distribution has contributed to the reduction in child stunting from 33% in 2020 to 27% in 2025, and an overall increase in food security among Rwanda’s households, enabling more than 80% of them to get three meals a day. This data has been uninterrupted by disruptions due to the global pandemic or the aid cuts.

Iron Beans

Iron deficiency is prevalent among Rwandans. Notably, 19% of pregnant women and 37% of the children under the age of 5 suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. To specifically combat these numbers, the Rwanda Agriculture Board and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture, in partnership with HarvestPlus, introduced iron-fortified bean varieties to Rwandan farmers and provided them with training for suitable agricultural practices. They also worked with the private sector to scale up production and delivery of the iron beans. The ministries of Education and Agriculture have encouraged adding these iron beans to school feeding programs. These iron beans quickly reduce iron deficiency and anaemia among consumers, and enhance their cognitive and physical capabilities.

Feeding Programs

Among multiple school feeding programs, the National Early Childhood Development Programme funded the “One Cup of Milk per Child” program, ensuring pre-primary and primary students receive milk servings two times a week across 19 districts in Rwanda. The overall aim of the program was to improve the nutritional status of students and to encourage them to pursue their education. These feeding programs helped reduce dropout rates among the children, with dropout rates declining by half since 2021 and encouraged students who previously left school to return and pursue their education.

Nutrition and Hygiene Awareness Programs

Community Health Workers (CHW) are responsible for providing health care services within the community. CHWs also implement nutritional interventions, train and educate parents and caregivers in proper nutrition and hygiene practises, and regularly monitor and support households at risk. The CHW network helps contribute to the decline in stunting among children and the reduction of mortality rates among children and pregnant women. While families benefit from CHWs’ guidance, they are sometimes unable to implement the required recommendations and may need additional resources and support to protect their families from nutrition-related tragedies.

By investing in nutrition security in Rwanda, the government was able to maintain core services and protect its citizens, while its neighbours bore the brunt of aid cuts. As the effects of aid cuts continue to ripple across the region, Rwanda’s model of self-sufficiency offers a blueprint for cultivating permanent systems instead of fostering reliance and dependency.

– Nishtha Mahendra Kumar

Nishtha is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, , , ,

How Landmine Clearance and Food Security

How Landmine Clearance and Food Security Support Development in IndonesiaLandmines, cluster munitions and improvised explosive devices continue to threaten civilian lives and block economic progress long after conflicts end, making land unsafe for farming, travel or everyday life. These explosive remnants of war can lie hidden for decades and prevent people from safely accessing land for food production, shelter or infrastructure. They are one reason communities often cannot rebuild after conflict. At least 58 states and territories remain contaminated by these explosive hazards — 29 with cluster munition remnants and more than 60 with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) — endangering millions of people and limiting economic opportunities.

Because contaminated land is unsafe, farmers often cannot grow food where they once did, which reduces food production and household income and slows community recovery. This weakens food security and forces families to rely on outside support instead of producing their own food. Mine clearance makes land safe again so families can plant crops, raise animals and support their own food supplies — a key part of strengthening landmine clearance and food security and promoting long-term community well-being.

Clearing Land for Food and Growth

Mine action — the process of surveying, mapping, detecting and removing landmines and explosive remnants of war — does more than save lives. As teams clear contaminated land and certify it safe, farmers can return to productive use, reinforcing landmine clearance and food security. This work also supports broader improvements such as irrigation systems, water access points and improved roads, which help sustain agricultural productivity and support community development.

Clearing landmines also reopens roads and paths that were once too dangerous to use, allowing children to go to school, families to access health care and goods to be traded at markets. Safe infrastructure supports local economies and helps communities rebuild and connect with broader development opportunities.

Indonesia’s Role in Mine Action and Food Security

Indonesia frames mine action as both a humanitarian obligation and a development priority, particularly through its participation in international disarmament and peacebuilding frameworks. As a state party to the Ottawa Treaty, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Indonesia links mine action to civilian protection, post-conflict recovery and long-term development, including food security.

While Indonesia is not among the most heavily contaminated countries, it plays a role in international mine action assistance through peacekeeping operations, South-South cooperation and regional leadership in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia has also expressed concern about the growing global threat posed by explosive remnants of war, particularly as climate change increases flooding and extreme weather, causing unexploded ordnance to move into previously cleared agricultural areas. These risks further undermine food production in climate-vulnerable regions and highlight the need for sustained international cooperation and innovation in mine action.

The Importance of Funding for Mine Action

Funding is essential for mine action because clearing landmines and supporting affected communities requires long-term investment. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) receives support through assessed contributions when mine action is part of peacekeeping or other United Nations missions and through extra-budgetary resources provided by member states to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action. The fund helps finance surveys, clearance, risk education and victim assistance.

Indonesia has repeatedly warned within the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly that declining voluntary funding threatens the sustainability of mine action programs worldwide, especially as global military expenditures continue to rise. Continued funding is needed to sustain clearance operations, support survivors, expand risk education and integrate mine action with broader humanitarian and development programming.

Indonesia and International Support

Indonesia supports international efforts to remove landmines and participates in global frameworks that encourage civilian protection and post-conflict recovery. Agreements such as the Mine Ban Treaty have led to widespread destruction of landmines and mobilized international cooperation to help countries and communities address contamination, including through risk education and assistance to survivors.

Mine action is not only about physical clearance. It also includes risk education, which teaches people how to recognize and avoid explosive hazards, and victim assistance, which helps those injured regain independence and participate in community life. These programs help communities rebuild confidence, participate in economic activity and focus on education and work rather than fear of unexploded weapons, though challenges remain as some regions recover more slowly.

Food Security and the Future

The relationship between landmine clearance and food security plays a critical role in helping communities rebuild after conflict and invest in long-term development. When land is cleared of explosive hazards, farmers can grow more food, households can invest in farming and other income-producing activities and communities can reduce poverty. Safe land also encourages investment in infrastructure such as irrigation, roads and local markets, strengthening resilience in agricultural communities and fostering economic growth.

Indonesia emphasizes that mine action directly supports global development goals such as ending hunger (SDG 2), promoting peace (SDG 16) and improving human security. Although progress can be uneven across regions, continued international support and cooperation help mine action reach more people, make communities safer and contribute to long-term development outcomes in Indonesia and around the world.

– Anaisha Kundu

Anaisha is based in Skillman, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Improved Food Security in the Sahel

Food Security in the SahelThe Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa are grappling with severe challenges, including poverty, food insecurity and the impacts of the changing climate. More than 300 million individuals endure chronic hunger, as agricultural systems struggle under soil degradation, unpredictable rainfall patterns and excessive dependence on basic staple crops. Launched in 2023 by the U.S. Department of State alongside the African Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) serves as a framework to bolster food systems through an emphasis on crops resilient to climate change and eco-friendly soil practices.

VACS addresses the demand for varied, nutrient-packed farming that can endure ecological disruptions while enhancing livelihoods in rural areas. The program highlights “opportunity crops” — resilient yet underused varieties such as millets, sorghum and cowpeas — alongside efforts to rehabilitate depleted soils. This evidence-based approach seeks to interrupt ongoing patterns of poverty and malnutrition across the region. By combining climate adaptation strategies, nutritional safeguards and farmer empowerment, VACS delivers a roadmap for enduring agricultural progress in at-risk populations, ultimately contributing to improved food security in the Sahel.

Exploring the VACS Initiative

VACS functions as a multilateral trust fund integrated within the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) Rural Resilience Program (2RP). It consolidates climate financing, adaptation resources and development funds into a comprehensive strategy designed specifically for small-scale farmers. Four primary strategies guide VACS:

First, the promotion of crop diversity to enhance climate resilience addresses Africa’s dependence on a limited range of staple crops such as maize, rice and wheat, which are susceptible to environmental stress. VACS advocates for cultivating underutilized indigenous crops such as fonio and teff, which thrive in arid conditions and offer strong nutritional benefits. Although research and policy have historically neglected these crops, they hold significant potential for improving food security in the Sahel.

Second, restoring soils and adopting sustainable land management practices address Africa’s widespread soil erosion challenges. More than 65% of the continent’s soils are degraded, leading to productivity declines of up to 30%.

VACS supports restorative practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry and the use of natural soil amendments to enhance water retention, nutrient content and long-term sustainability.

Third, empowering farmers and establishing knowledge networks ensures that smallholders have access to essential resources and education for climate-smart agriculture. VACS strengthens community-based seed systems, provides training on climate-adaptive farming techniques and improves financial access, facilitating transitions to more resilient agricultural practices.

Finally, developing markets for opportunity crops ensures economic incentives for farmers to cultivate adapted varieties. By connecting smallholders with buyers such as school meal programs and expanding access to local and international markets, VACS enhances income stability and promotes economic growth in rural areas.

VACS’s Impact on Breaking Cycles of Poverty and Hunger

In the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa, food systems remain trapped in a damaging cycle: environmental disruptions reduce harvests, triggering shortages, undernutrition and financial instability. VACS intervenes by targeting the underlying sources of fragility. Nearly 40% of Sahelian children experience micronutrient deficiencies stemming from diets high in calories but low in nutrients.

VACS emphasizes nutrient-rich crops such as amaranth and pigeon peas, which provide iron, zinc and protein. Through diet diversification, the program addresses stunting, anemia and malnutrition, particularly among women and youth, contributing to improved food security in the Sahel.

Projections indicate that without intervention, climate change could reduce crop outputs by 20% by 2050.

VACS’s resilient crops, including drought-resistant sorghum and heat-tolerant millets, help shield smallholders from irregular weather. In Niger, where drought-prone rain-dependent farming prevails, those using mixed cropping have maintained consistent yields amid worsening climate conditions.

VACS also strengthens economic resilience by creating equitable supply chains for opportunity crops. The fonio supply network in West Africa, supported by entities such as Yolélé Foods, has generated employment, increased farmer earnings by as much as 30% and opened new export opportunities.

Soil health remains central to VACS’s strategy. Degraded soils reduce yields while worsening water scarcity and emissions. Through comprehensive soil nutrient strategies, including organic composting and eco-farming methods, VACS has demonstrated yield increases of up to 28% in pilot areas such as Ethiopia, further supporting food security in the Sahel.

Tools for digital soil analysis further support targeted farming by aligning actions with specific locations for optimal results.

Advancing VACS: Key Policies and Future Directions

Realizing VACS’s full potential requires coordinated action among governments, aid organizations and commercial entities. Increasing investment in climate-resilient agriculture remains essential. Currently, just 1.7% of global climate funding benefits smallholder farmers, limiting access to critical resources needed for sustainable practices.

Governments and international contributors should prioritize VACS-compatible initiatives in agricultural budgets and climate adaptation funds. Strengthening seed systems and advisory services will also accelerate adoption. Many opportunity crops lack improved seed varieties due to prolonged underfunding in crop research. Expanding research and development, alongside digital-based farmer education and collaborative learning, will help address this gap.

Emphasizing fair land tenure and gender equity remains vital. Women manage approximately 60% of African farms but often lack secure land rights, which restricts investment in long-term soil care. Legal reforms supporting equitable land ownership and targeted initiatives for women farmers are key to VACS’s success.

Private-sector involvement is also a key to success. Incentives such as tax reductions, subsidies and public-private partnerships can spur investment in processing and marketing opportunity crops. Examples such as Kenya’s “Super Porridge” program, which incorporates nutrient-rich crops into school meals, demonstrate how consumer demand can drive broader adoption.</span>

Embedding VACS within broader regional climate strategies will further amplify its impact. Alignment with initiatives such as the Great Green Wall and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 can strengthen collaboration on ecosystem restoration, nutrition security and poverty reduction, advancing food security in the Sahel.

Looking Ahead

VACS extends beyond technical fixes and represents a shift in agricultural development for climate-vulnerable regions. By integrating scientific research, policy coordination and community-driven action, the initiative outlines a pathway to disrupt cycles of poverty and hunger. With sustained commitment from governments, farmers and partners, VACS has the potential to strengthen resilience, improve nutrition and support long-term livelihoods across the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa.

– Christopher Pellant

Christopher is based in Evansville, IN, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Local2030 Islands Network: SDGs in Developing Island States

Local2030 Islands Network: Scaling up SDGs in Developing Island States The world’s small island territories and nations face unique development challenges and are collectively identified as Small Island Developing States by the United Nations (U.N.). These islands commonly experience high costs of living, limited financial opportunities, import dependence and climate vulnerability. Together, these factors create conditions for undiversified and vulnerable economies, contributing to high levels of poverty among island populations. With frequent climate hazards, these challenges become further exacerbated, disrupting both livelihoods and ecosystems that are essential for long-term island sustainability and income generation. The U.N. has emphasized the importance of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing island states, as these states are at the forefront of making sustainable transitions.

The Local2030 Islands Network

To help address these issues, the Local2030 Islands Network was developed as the first island-to-island network dedicated to locally scaling up the SDGs in developing island states. This network emphasizes implementing goals in ways that reflect the realities of individual island communities. Launched in 2019, the network facilitates cooperation between island governments, organizations and local leaders to scale up sustainable development. As of 2025, 28 island states have joined the network, and many more have engaged in planning efforts and identifying localized solutions. The network serves as a platform where islands can share experiences and best practices, identify local priorities and develop actionable plans.

With the network’s support, island members commit to four key objectives to help execute development agendas. These commitments include advancing political leadership to support climate resilience, strengthening public-private partnerships, transparently measuring SDG progress and implementing concrete initiatives that address local goals. The network also includes “communities of practice” (CoP) that focus on priority island-related issues such as sustainable income generation and climate resilience. These CoP serve as digital platforms that bring together experts, civil society members, stakeholders and community representatives to utilize a combination of technical assistance, Indigenous knowledge and modern technology to address multiple challenges and areas of focus.

Guam Green Growth Initiative

One of the network’s recently implemented projects is taking shape in Guam, a United States (U.S.) territory located in the western Pacific Ocean. Known as the Guam Green Growth Initiative (G3), it is part of the island’s 10-year plan for scaling up local SDGs. This plan includes a framework for addressing local goals related to creating circular economies, expanding opportunities in green jobs and building food system resilience.

Recent assessments of Guam’s poverty rate suggest that one in five residents live below the poverty line, a figure that is double that of the U.S.

As part of G3, decision-makers are combining conservation and economic opportunity to address this issue with long-term solutions, with efforts underway to transition the island to a diversified, circular economy that offers greater financial opportunities for residents. This work includes multiple skills development and job preparation programs, as well as efforts to enhance local cottage industries. One skills development program, known as the Conservation Corps, offers paid training for individuals to learn a wide range of skills within the green jobs sector, supporting the island’s transition to a green economy.

Additional programs support the development of small businesses and cottage industries. The G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub facilitates cottage industry growth by providing local entrepreneurs and businesses with access to specialized tools, technologies and training for sustainable business practices.

G3 also strengthens partnerships with local organizations, including Guam Unique Merchandise and Art, a local nonprofit that provides small businesses with training and grants to help them grow. This support creates additional small-business employment opportunities and reduces reliance on imported products.

Strengthening Food Security and Local Resilience

G3 promotes social and economic protections by enhancing local food security. Guam imports a large portion of its food, resulting in high prices and increased vulnerability to global supply shocks. G3 addresses this issue by supporting local agriculture, aquaculture and community garden projects. The G3 community gardens offer cost-efficient and sustainable solutions that promote local food security, contribute to food banks and support food access for vulnerable populations facing homelessness and poverty.

A focus on agriculture, aquaculture and aquaponics also contributes to food sovereignty and security in Guam. Through partnerships with local nonprofits such as Guåhan Sustainable Culture, G3 provides workforce development and resources for small-scale farmers.

Additionally, five aquaculture and aquaponics projects have been implemented on the island, providing resources for sustainable, year-round crop and fish production. Through educational initiatives, community members learn to manage these systems, building capacity for the expansion of local aquafarms.

Looking Ahead

The Guam Green Growth Initiative demonstrates how locally driven approaches can advance the SDGs in developing island states. By integrating economic diversification and sustainable food systems, Guam moves toward a more resilient future. As challenges persist for island communities, the Local2030 Islands Network continues to support initiatives such as G3, which offer lessons for other islands to replicate and adapt. Continued collaboration and locally based solutions remain vital to building sustainable futures for island communities.

– Quinlan Bohannon

Quinlan is based in Portland, OR, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, , ,

Food Aid Theft Solutions

Food Aid Theft SolutionsFood aid theft is an issue with significant implications. It directly affects people in need who do not receive essential goods during critical times, worsening economic conditions and food insecurity. It also undermines trust among humanitarian organizations and can affect their funding levels. Repeated diversion of aid has been shown to lead to suspension of support, as seen in 2019 in Yemen. At that time, in the Yemeni capital, at least 10% of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) deliveries were diverted from people in need.

In some cases, this renders food aid less effective. For instance, in Yemen, despite increased levels of support in 2019, hunger persisted and even increased in some areas. However, innovative grassroots, structural or community-based initiatives have shown potential to reduce the problem in deeply affected places such as Somalia, Ethiopia and Yemen.

Grassroots Initiatives

Action Against Hunger launched a grassroots campaign in Somalia by establishing community call centers to improve aid reporting measures. The approach helps track aid deliveries in areas affected by limited resources and conflict. Addressing these issues is essential because Action Against Hunger reports that limited road access and control of territory by non-state actors significantly contribute to aid diversion.

The organization hired and trained local volunteers in tracking and reporting aid deliveries. The team handles complaints and verification and also manages real-time crises. In 2023, the call center was alerted by community members about a cholera outbreak, allowing the organization to intervene immediately. In two years of operation, the call center has answered more than 30,000 calls regarding aid delivery verification, feedback on aid received and requests for emergency assistance. The calls are prepaid, meaning even people in remote regions can contact the center.

Structural Changes

A growing approach among humanitarian organizations is shifting from in-kind aid to direct financial assistance. According to the WFP, sending money is empowering because cash is often the most important asset during a disaster or crisis. It provides flexibility, allowing recipients to use it for food, medical bills, rent or school fees based on their needs. This has become an increasingly common practice. In 2023, the WFP sent about $2.8 billion to countries including Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan, directly supporting 51.6 million people.

The Poverty Action Lab, a research center founded by Massachusetts Institute of Technology professors, evaluated cash assistance positively. The organization reported that in Niger, financial support helped families eat more frequently. Delivery costs are relatively low, making this solution cost-effective. Their findings suggest that cash can improve economic conditions and have positive effects on mental well-being. For example, Afghan women who received cash transfers reported feeling happier and more confident about their economic situation. While the Poverty Action Lab notes the need for more research, it concludes that cash has a tangible, positive impact on food security. Provided an area has functioning markets, the organization suggests this type of assistance can support long-term stability by helping families build more secure futures.

Community Approaches

Community-based strategies are another of the solutions addressing food aid theft. Humanitarian organizations engage local residents in various ways, including empowerment projects in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and feedback desks in Sudan.

Omna Tigray, a nonprofit in Ethiopia, addresses food aid theft by involving residents in planning, implementing and monitoring food aid programs. The organization states that local engagement cultivates responsibility among community members. According to Omna Tigray, empowering residents helps identify and report aid diversion and strengthens relationships between donors and beneficiaries, which can be strained by theft. Community engagement is particularly important in a region where 5.4 million residents depend on aid deliveries.

Similar approaches have been implemented elsewhere, including feedback desks in refugee camps in Sudan established by World Vision. A committee of camp residents and World Vision staff selects and trains local volunteers who assist with reports and inquiries from camp residents. These desks help quickly address distribution issues and are recognized positively by locals. During a discussion session with World Vision staff, an anonymous female refugee said the “community help desk system is the best for food distribution.”

Looking Ahead

These various food aid theft solutions demonstrate multiple ways to address the issue. Ranging from grassroots initiatives to structural and community-based approaches, they show potential for reducing the problem. These measures have contributed to more equitable aid distribution in some areas. Furthermore, they have been positively received by local communities and researchers focused on food aid programs.

– Karol Hejduk

Karol is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Forest Sustainability and Poverty Reduction

Forest Sustainability and Poverty Reduction Forests cover nearly one-third of the world’s land mass and serve as an economic lifeline for impoverished and Indigenous communities in developing countries, many of whom live directly in forests. Yet mass deforestation threatens both these communities and the economic sustainability of the land. Recognizing the link between forest sustainability and poverty reduction, the United Nations (U.N.), the World Bank and other organizations have launched revitalization efforts using a “one health” approach.

Forest Dependency

Approximately 40% of the world’s rural poor in developing nations, about 3.27 billion people, live in or within one kilometer of a forest. When the range is expanded to five kilometers, the number rises to 4.17 billion, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). With 80% of the world’s most impoverished people living in rural areas, mostly concentrated in the Global South, the importance of forests to their subsistence is clear, further underscoring the connection between forest sustainability and poverty reduction.

Those who rely on forests in whole or in part to survive via employment or source of income, but most importantly as a food source, are classified as Forest Dependent People (FDP). The majority of FDP live within forests and derive their entire livelihood from them alone, but FDP also includes those that tangentially rely on forests, such as foraging for medicinal plants, harvesting wood or even supplying labor to logging and forestry businesses. 

Indigenous groups often make up FDP communities and their extremely rural proximity limits access to goods and services. This makes them vulnerable to economic, social and health care shocks. Discrimination and marginalization, such as in India and Kenya, or poor infrastructure, as in the Brazilian Amazon, further compound their struggles. 

Forest resources help mitigate these shocks for FDP, however, rampant deforestation and land degradation have only exacerbated their poverty and vulnerability. Because of this, FDPs are a focal point for anti-poverty initiatives, but this has been a double-edged sword. 

Damaging Effects of Standard Poverty Reduction Efforts

There is no question that poverty-reduction initiatives have been successful. According to World Bank figures, poverty has declined in developing countries by more than 65% since 1990. Yet many of these tried-and-true methods end up causing further deforestation, which leaves FDP vulnerable in the long term. 

Many goodwill efforts to alleviate poverty overlook the ingrained benefits of forest sustainability and poverty reduction, instead focusing on agricultural and infrastructural development, which can compound environmental destruction and damage aid efforts long-term. When forests are cleared, the health of the land erodes and water scarcity increases. This harms FDP communities and sets back any potential gains realized through intervention. Crops die without water and disease spreads worsens. Standard practices appear sufficient for the long-term prosperity of FDP. 

The “One Health” Approach

In recent years, the FAO, World Bank and researchers from institutions such as the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative have increasingly observed the connection between forest sustainability and poverty reduction. In this collaborative approach, poverty alleviation must go hand in hand with forest conservation strategies. 

Protected Area Projects make up one facet of sustainability efforts. In Brazil, the World Bank successfully lobbied the government to give protected status to 24 million hectares of forest land, safeguarding access for FDP communities. Furthermore, in Ghana, efforts resulted in the planting of sustainable woodlots to serve as sources of firewood and fuel instead of naturally occurring forests. In Kenya, the Plantation Establishment and Livelihood Improvement Scheme allocates degraded plots of forest land to FDP to revitalize through new plantings. 

Research into further symbiotic strategies between forest sustainability and poverty reduction is ongoing. In countries such as India and Peru, researchers from the Pulte Institute for Global Development are evaluating nascent anti-poverty initiatives that also prioritize forest sustainability to isolate those most effective for rollout in other developing nations.

Looking Ahead

Evidence suggests that forest sustainability and poverty reduction are two sides of the same coin. Sustainable forests combat poverty among FDP by providing replenishing food sources, fuel and construction materials and improved community health. With such a large percentage of the world’s extreme poor being FDP or FDP-adjacent, efforts to support the prosperity of the world’s forests are also direct contributions to eventually lifting FDP out of poverty. 

– Nikola Stojkovic

Nikola is based in Villa Park, IL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How Urine Fertilizer in Burkina Faso is Boosting Food Security

Urine Fertilizer in Burkina FasoIn Burkina Faso, smallholder farmers are grappling with a crisis that is both old and new: declining soil fertility and skyrocketing fertilizer prices. In a country where approximately 80% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, even slight drops in yield can push families deeper into poverty. Now, an unusual solution is turning human urine into a powerful, low-cost fertilizer that could help farmers grow more food with fewer resources.

Urine Fertilizer in Burkina Faso

Human urine is naturally rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the same nutrients found in commercial fertilizers. By separating urine at the household level using urine diversion toilets, farmers can collect, sanitize and apply it directly to their crops. According to a study in Burkina Faso, using urine fertilizer and compost together increased maize and eggplant yields by up to 90% compared to unfertilized plots.&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</p&gt;</p>

style=”font-weight: 400;”>Programs led by organizations like CIRAD and the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement are helping farmers in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries adopt safe collection and application practices. These nutrient recycling pilots demonstrate that farmers can reduce reliance on expensive imported fertilizers while protecting groundwater from untreated waste runoff.

How it works

Simple ecosan toilets separate urine and feces, allowing households to store urine in sealed containers for a few weeks to kill pathogens. Once sanitized, the liquid can be diluted and spread on fields as urine fertilizer. A recent study in Mali found that farmers using urine fertilizer on rice paddies produced 1,623 kg/ha, outperforming plots fertilized with mineral fertilizer and achieved a benefit-cost ratio of 3.3. Farmer cooperatives and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provide training on safe handling, dosage and storage, helping communities overcome taboos around human waste. Many see this as a crucial step for smallholders who struggle to afford chemical fertilizers, which can use 20% to 30% of their annual household budget. 

Benefits for Health, Food Security and the Environment

Urine recycling boosts both yields and reduces pollution. Poor sanitation systems in West Africa often leak nutrients into rivers and groundwater, harming ecosystems and drinking water supplies. By recovering the nutrients from urine for farming, communities can close the loop between sanitation and agriculture in a safe, circular way. This practice directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Looking Ahead

Nutrient recycling is not so widespread in Burkina Faso, but the evidence shows it could be transformative for food security in regions where soil fertility is falling and fertilizer prices are rising. As farmer cooperatives expand training and share success stories, more communities may see that the solution to hunger can be as simple as the waste they flush away.

– Rebecca Lee

Rebecca is based in Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Food Systems in the Galapagos Islands

Food Systems in the Galapagos Islands Galapagos—known for its incomparable biodiversity—thrives from its wildlife. Although more people depend on food imports, this causes a significant reliance on shipments. Food production has been slowing down since the 1970s. Farmers have experienced ongoing struggles with harvesting and sustaining agricultural lands.

Every day, approximately 1,100 food imports, consisting of related food, drink and basic equipment, travel 700 miles to arrive in the Galapagos city port, Puerto Ayora. Much of the population obtains imports such as crates of cereal and apples. The prices of food increased over the years due to the timely travel of shipments. Based on forecasts, food imports could increase by around 95% by 2037. 

Efforts to Regenerate Food Systems

Environmental conservation organizations like Global Nomadic are diving into regenerating food systems across the islands. The organization accepts individual internships for an in-person experience, helping promote food manufacturing. More than 10,000 people applied as interns and volunteers to participate in Global Nomadic’s initiatives. The organization also provides instructors to guide committed students in assisting with these projects. About 40 countries have achieved transformation under these initiatives.

The organization involves small, dedicated groups of farmers helping restore soil and protect ecosystems. Some of its present projects range from harvesting gardens, composting, testing fertilizer packaging and seed germination. Global Nomadic believes in restoring organic farming management to grow the ethnic food supply. This is crucial for the Galapagos Islands, which rely significantly on daily shipping. By educating others to cultivate locally fresh crops, the organization aims to enhance sustainable efforts.

Impact of Tourism on Farming in Galapagos

Farmers do not exactly welcome the idea of traditional agricultural farming with enthusiasm due to the number of tourists visiting the islands each year. The industry sold more tours than the amount of food produced. Many local farmers use chemically-based equipment to nurture crops, so they proposed transitioning to a wholesome food system.

Efforts to Promote Family Farming

Galapagos’ Corporate Office, based in Quito, Ecuador, has rolled out two programs to swiftly run food production in the regions. The Heifer Ecuador Organization developed the National Flagship Program to promote family farming to build systemic modifications to improve food systems in the Galapagos Islands. Furthermore, the program gives producers a chance at transforming economic and social progress.

The Flagship Program started in 2020 and has reached nearly 189,000 families living in rural and urban areas. Its 2030 goal is to help 16,000 rural households to diminish all rates of poverty. The organization believes in raising the income of all families to improve lives. In 2019, about 18 value chains were constructed, aiding 32 families. It also spurred 123 organizations and 55 alliances to form, galvanizing strong unity across all communities.

Looking Ahead

Many consider the Galapagos Islands to be a special paradise to visit. The most iconic wildlife discovered there are the green tortoises and blue-footed boobie birds. Despite the vivid diversity, food is scarce for many of the locals. However, ongoing initiatives aim to improve food systems in the Galapagos for the better. The islands continue to hope for a new, revolutionized era.

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Tackling Poverty: Entrepreneurs in Djibouti

djiboutiBetween 1862 and 1977, Djibouti was under French occupation and established a strong economic and military presence, which still exists today. As of 2025, France has five air and naval bases in operation in Djibouti, primarily along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Djibouti thus remains one of France’s last military strongholds on the continent, following the recent withdrawals from Mali and Burkina Faso in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Beyond the military influence that France still exerts, a reliance on imports into Djibouti raises issues of autonomy. The World Food Program (WFP) reports that Djibouti imports 90% of its food, leaving the country vulnerable to fluctuations in global prices, which can significantly affect a Djiboutian’s food purchasing power.

Entrepreneurs in Djibouti

Although starting a new business is not a rapid solution to a problem as critical as food insecurity, it allows entrepreneurs in Djibouti to take control of their future and offers a level of dignity that is not always possible in countries that face difficult circumstances.

As of 2021, the World Bank’s portfolio in Djibouti came to the sum of $248 million, which went towards urban poverty reduction through community development as well as social safety nets and private sector development.

The Regional Director for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in East Africa, Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu, stated that the private sector is a key driver for reducing poverty in Djibouti and the IFC, together with the World Ban,k is exploring “opportunities to support reforms that will improve Djibouti’s business environment and investment climate.”

People and Projects in Djibouti

As of 2023, the Djibouti Social Development Agency and Centre for Leadership and Entrepreneurship – part of a World Bank-financed initiative – has launched the Youth Entrepreneurship Training Program (FORJE), which aims to alleviate poverty and create a ripple effect in communities with high unemployment. In 2023, estimates suggested that 79% of youth in Djibouti were without work, and for women, that figure was at 74%; hence, the need for income generation within communities that are on the periphery of government support.

The FORJE program provides 2,300 microbusinesses access to developmental services like accounting, marketing and capital. For Mouna Yacin Abdillahi, from Dikhil in South-Western Djibouti, her small restaurant business has transformed her family’s life: “The FORJE program gave me an opportunity, a reason to get up every morning, and for that I thank the creators of the program. I feel useful to the community.”

For recipients of the FORJE grants and services, the benefits go far beyond a material improvement in daily life. For Mouna, the program has empowered her and given her a sense of purpose in a community where her job prospects would have been few otherwise.

The Future

Hopefully, more programs financed by international organizations such as the World Bank will start to appear in other parts of Africa that face high levels of unemployment and poverty. Although entrepreneurship is not always the quickest solution to alleviating poverty, a combination of humanitarian aid packages and commercial training programs provides a strong base to economically regenerate communities as well as grant autonomy and dignity to beneficiaries.

– Alfie Williams-Hughes

Alfie is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Push for Food Self-Sufficiency in Saudi Arabia

Food Self-Sufficiency in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia imports nearly 80% of its food, relying heavily on international suppliers like the United States (U.S.), which exported $1.58 billion worth of agricultural products to the Kingdom in 2022. Harsh desert conditions and limited freshwater resources have made large-scale farming difficult, leading to an overwhelming dependence on imports. As part of a long-term development strategy, food self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia is now a priority of the government, as well as aiming to strengthen food security and reduce vulnerability to global market shocks.

Food Waste and Loss

Despite maintaining food security, Saudi Arabia continues to struggle with food dependency and waste. According to United Nations (U.N.) data, the country accounts for 50% of global food waste, even though it has a population of about 33 million. A recent survey found that 78% of purchased food is discarded within a week to make room for newly bought groceries.

Cultural norms that encourage abundance often lead people to neglect or discard food, worsening the food waste crisis. To address the issue, the Saudi government launched programs such as Vision 2030, which includes a target to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. In addition, the Saudi government launched the National Program for Food Loss and Waste Reduction to support this goal. Other proposed solutions include raising food prices, as low prices and bulk deals often encourage consumers to purchase more than they need.

Investing in Sustainable Agriculture

To reduce dependence on imports, the Saudi government continues to invest in initiatives like the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), which strengthens agricultural sectors such as soybeans and maize. The country has made significant progress in the 21st century. By 2023, Saudi Arabia had reached self-sufficiency in dairy products and eggs and began exporting the surplus. The country also boosted the production of potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, red meat, carrots, fish and onions. To support continued agricultural growth, the government promotes innovations such as vertical farming, greenhouses and hydroponics. These technologies help maximize yield while conserving resources.

International Investments

Beyond domestic initiatives, Saudi Arabia is investing internationally to secure food supplies. The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) has acquired an 80% stake in Singapore-based Olam Agri for $1.8 billion. This acquisition provides Saudi Arabia with access to global supply chains and strengthens its position in the international agricultural market.

Moving Forward

Saudi Arabia’s population will likely reach 40 million by 2050. To keep pace, the government focuses on improving food consumption efficiency and reducing dependence on imports. Although the country currently contributes a significant portion of global food waste, new regulations and public awareness campaigns could help lower that share over the next five years.

Efforts to expand local food production, improve waste management and promote agricultural innovation remain integral to food self-sufficiency in Saudi Arabia, and its development plans. Continued investment in sustainable practices could help the country strengthen food security and support its growing population in the years ahead.​

– Naseem Rahman

Naseem is based in Staten Island, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr