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22 pages, 1668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Public Procurement Mechanisms Can Be Used as a Tool for Developing Pro-Poor Food Value Chains: From Entry Points to Interventions

by Raphael Leão, Enioluwa Jonathan Ijatuyi and Luis F. Goulao

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9152; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129152 - 6 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1587

Abstract

Smallholder farmers from developing countries are among the most vulnerable populations facing high food insecurity. Participation in agri-food value chains can offer a valuable pathway out of poverty for millions of poor households in these regions due to their trans-sectorial ability to create [...] Read more.

Smallholder farmers from developing countries are among the most vulnerable populations facing high food insecurity. Participation in agri-food value chains can offer a valuable pathway out of poverty for millions of poor households in these regions due to their trans-sectorial ability to create empowerment, inclusion, and economic value. Current urbanization rates and the advent of a growing middle class in developing countries make local value chains linked to regional and domestic markets increasingly valuable for smallholder farmers. Under this context, governments and institutions are key actors in influencing pro-poor value chains upgrading trajectories, and public procurement is a way by which these actors can direct participants. This study addresses an important knowledge gap in the possible practical approaches to designing and implementing such schemes. Informed by a literature review, a contextual appraisal of the major advantages and disadvantages of public procurement for the pro-poor development of value chains was conducted. A framework of analysis and intervention is then proposed and discussed. Based on the critical and contextualized analysis of the evidence, we address strategies for public food procurement, challenges, mitigation measures, supporting interventions, and considerations for planning. Overall, our analysis suggests that several existing initiatives still lack tangible results, partly due to gaps in the implementation of laws and regulations. We also highlight that, if implemented as a stand-alone intervention, it is likely that public procurement will not be effective. Additionally, we make an argument on the importance of engaging with the private sector in the process of devising an exit strategy as part that supports long-term sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

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21 pages, 1694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Affecting Food Security among Households in Nigeria: The Role of Crop Diversity

by Ifeoluwapo Oluwaseun Amao, Adebayo Isaiah Ogunniyi, George Mavrotas and Abiodun Olusola Omotayo

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8534; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118534 - 24 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2548

Abstract

Agriculture is central in order to achieve nutrition goals through the provision of food, energy and essential micronutrients for the physical and mental development of humans. Dietary diversity is a good indicator of human food security status. Using a dataset obtained from the [...] Read more.

Agriculture is central in order to achieve nutrition goals through the provision of food, energy and essential micronutrients for the physical and mental development of humans. Dietary diversity is a good indicator of human food security status. Using a dataset obtained from the World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Study—Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA), this paper examines the linkages between crop diversity and food security (measured as dietary diversity) among farming households in Nigeria using ordinary least squares, Poisson regression, and instrumental variables (IV) Poisson regression to estimate the relationship. In addition, we investigate the determinants that lead to the consumption of each food groups considered for generating dietary diversity using a logit regression model. The results show that food expenditure, asset ownership and location of households are the key factors driving the types of food consumed by the households. Furthermore, increased food expenditure and access to credit were found to positively influence food security. The result established a positive and significant relationship between crop diversity and dietary diversity. Our findings call for more attention to diet diversity, as well as the need to harmonize the roles of rural income improvement, especially through non-farm livelihood diversification in tackling multiple nutritional deficiencies in Nigeria. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

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15 pages, 1918 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conflict-Induced Shocks and Household Food Security in Nigeria

by Opeyemi Olanrewaju and Bedru B. Balana

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065057 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2173

Abstract

Conflicts such as the Boko Haram insurgency, herder–farmer conflicts, and armed banditry attacks are major concerns affecting the livelihoods and food security of households in Nigeria. In this paper, firstly, we reviewed and synthesized the nature, spatial extent, and implications of conflicts on [...] Read more.

Conflicts such as the Boko Haram insurgency, herder–farmer conflicts, and armed banditry attacks are major concerns affecting the livelihoods and food security of households in Nigeria. In this paper, firstly, we reviewed and synthesized the nature, spatial extent, and implications of conflicts on food security in Nigeria. Secondly, using survey data and econometric models, we examined the effects of conflict-induced shocks, such as forced migration and fatality on household food security indicators. Our review shows that the underlying causes for the majority of violent conflicts in Nigeria are linked to competition for productive resources, economic inequality, and ethnoreligious tensions. Review results also indicate spatial variations in the nature and severity of violent conflicts in Nigeria. While the Boko Haram insurgency is prominent in the North-East, the North-Central is mainly exposed to herder–farmer conflicts, and there is a high prevalence of communal conflicts in the South-South region of the country. In terms of gender dimensions, women are more vulnerable to conflicts and shoulder more social and economic burdens than men. From our empirical analysis, we found that conflict-induced shocks such as forced migration, fatality, abduction, and injury significantly exacerbate the severity of food insecurity and deteriorate the dietary diversity of households. Conflicts also affect agricultural investment decisions with a negative consequence on future agricultural productivity and food security. Based on the findings, the key policy suggestions include the need for tailored interventions to resolve state or region-specific conflicts, policy interventions on property/land rights and livestock management systems to address herder–farmer conflicts, and targeted investments in building the resilience capacity of households. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

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19 pages, 1658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Food Aid and Governance on Food and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

by Danny Cassimon, Olusegun Fadare and George Mavrotas

Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021417 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2292

Abstract

The paper focuses on the impact of food aid and governance quality (the latter disaggregated in different components) on both food and nutrition security in the SSA region and for a sample of 25 countries over the period 1996 to 2018. The main [...] Read more.

The paper focuses on the impact of food aid and governance quality (the latter disaggregated in different components) on both food and nutrition security in the SSA region and for a sample of 25 countries over the period 1996 to 2018. The main novelty and contribution of the paper in the relevant literature is by providing macro-level evidence in the SSA region to complement country-specific evidence in this research area. We also use different food and nutrition security outcome measures, which include the average value of food production, average dietary energy supply adequacy, and prevalence of undernourishment. Furthermore, we combine the above with the use of both aggregated and disaggregated governance indicators to examine the impact of governance quality on the outcome variables. We find evidence of a robust relationship between food aid, governance quality, and food and nutrition security outcomes by employing the GMM estimator. We also find that food aid increases food and nutrition security while it reduces undernourishment. Among the various governance quality indicators we have employed, the control of corruption and political stability show a significant relationship with the measured outcomes. However, the composite governance index and food aid jointly have no significant effect on food security, but they significantly increase nutrition security and reduce undernourishment across the various empirical models we have employed in our empirical analysis. An important policy lesson emanating from our empirical findings is that controlling corruption and maintaining political stability may have significant implications for enhancing the impact of food aid on food and nutrition security in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

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22 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shifts in Food Consumption Practices among Middle-Class Households in Bengaluru, India

by Neda Yousefian, Elena Wenninger and Christoph Dittrich

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13557; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013557 - 20 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1895

Abstract

The middle class in India is estimated to be roughly half of the population and, as such, holds considerable sway in influencing consumption trends. We explored food consumption practices and indicators for food transitions among middle-class households in the South Indian megacity of [...] Read more.

The middle class in India is estimated to be roughly half of the population and, as such, holds considerable sway in influencing consumption trends. We explored food consumption practices and indicators for food transitions among middle-class households in the South Indian megacity of Bengaluru. Through 38 qualitative interviews, we asked respondents about their perceptions of food safety and how they navigate food safety risks in their daily food practices. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the topic of food safety into sharp relief, and consumers were keen on maintaining good health through food consumption. We engaged social practice theory to understand food shopping practices, the rise in immune-boosting foods and the consumer demand for safe, healthy food as this relates to wider sustainable food transitions. We found that middle-class consumers mitigate food safety risks through careful selection of where food is purchased. A rise in immune-boosting foods, traditional herbs and spices part of the regional diet are being revitalized. Demand for organically grown foods is hampered by a lack of trust in verification systems. We argued that government investment in building consumer confidence in both food safety, and organic labeling increases the willingness to pay a premium price among middle-class consumers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

19 pages, 2413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Urban Smart Farming on Local Economy and Food Production in Urban Areas in African Cities

by Alireza Moghayedi, Isabell Richter, Folasade Mary Owoade, Kutemba K. Kapanji-Kakoma, Ewon Kaliyadasa, Sheena Francis and Christiana Ekpo

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710836 - 31 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3535

Abstract

African cities are growing rapidly into inefficient, unsustainable, resource-starved ecosystems that negatively affect the local economy and food production. Food as a critical resource needs to be produced and managed more efficiently by local communities in the urban area. Urban smart farming (USF) [...] Read more.

African cities are growing rapidly into inefficient, unsustainable, resource-starved ecosystems that negatively affect the local economy and food production. Food as a critical resource needs to be produced and managed more efficiently by local communities in the urban area. Urban smart farming (USF) has emerged as an important mechanism to address these challenges to achieve sustainable, resilient, and inclusive cities. USF has the potential to be the industry 4.0 green revolution in agriculture, which embodies innovative digital technologies. However, it is unclear how local African communities and key stakeholders perceive this novel solution and if they are willing to engage in its uptake. This study examines the relationship between the perceived benefits and challenges of USF and the willingness of local African communities to actively participate in USF projects as a potential mechanism to improve local economy and food production. To assess this relationship, a causal model was developed. In this causal model, the local economy and food production were defined as dependent variables. The conceptualized model and the inherent causality between the constructs were validated through a survey administered among African cities’ residents. The results of structural equation modelling indicate a significant positive impact of perceived benefits of USF as well as the willingness of African communities to engage in this technology on local economy and food production. Only minimal adverse effects of the perceived challenges of USF on the local economy and food production have been found. The study concludes that the benefits and willingness of local communities are the key drivers for implementing urban smart farms in African metropolitans. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on the benefits and the motivation of local communities in African cities where USF shall be further developed, rather than on the barriers. The validated causal model can be used as a framework to facilitate the adoption of USF in Africa and consequently enhance the local economy and food production in African cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

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9 pages, 246 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

A Comparative Study of Teaching Approaches in Agro-Ecology: An Investigation of 10th-Grade Agricultural Sciences Learners in Selected Schools

by Lusanda Ncisana, Vafana Attraction Ntuli, Nonhle Tracey Sibisi, Mmapake F. Masha, Mdumo S. J. Mboweni, Moyahabo Anna Satekge, Wonga Ntilini, Ntuthuko Raphael Mkhize and Suresh K. Singh

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4048; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054048 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1858

Abstract

The impact of climate change on agriculture in South Africa is a key factor that contributes to food insecurity. While this topic is covered in the Agro-ecology unit in Grade 10, it is important to determine the most effective way to teach it [...] Read more.

The impact of climate change on agriculture in South Africa is a key factor that contributes to food insecurity. While this topic is covered in the Agro-ecology unit in Grade 10, it is important to determine the most effective way to teach it to learners. That is important because teaching methods utilized in Agricultural Sciences are envisaged to improve learners’ performance on the impact of climate change on food security. This study quantitatively compared teaching methods (i.e., Lecture, Demonstration, and Project-based) and their impact on learners’ performance in Agro-ecology. Each teaching method was tested on each group of 15 learners, which resulted in 45 learners per school, and the total number of participants was 180 when four schools were combined. A pre-experimental and post-test research design was employed to identify effective teaching methods for Agro-ecology among Grade 10 learners in Limpopo and Eastern Cape provinces. Analysis of covariate was used to test the hypothesis that (1) learners’ content knowledge on climate change and food security would differ with teaching methods, (2) the project-based and demonstration teaching methods would improve learners’ content knowledge because the project-based and demonstration methods are more practical, and learners learn better through these methods. The results showed that learners in the project-based and demonstration groups had significantly higher scores than those in the lecture (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that incorporating project-based teaching methods in secondary schools can improve learners’ performance and skills in Agricultural Sciences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

11 pages, 274 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Adoption Potential of Sustainability-Related Agriculture Technologies for Smallholder Farmers in the Global South

by Patrick Hatzenbuehler and Luis Peña-Lévano

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013176 - 14 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1517

Abstract

This paper describes several sustainability-related agriculture technologies that are being used by farmers in the U.S. and Europe that could plausibly be adopted by smallholder farmers in the Global South. Their unifying attributes are that they do not require capital-intensive complementary technologies and [...] Read more.

This paper describes several sustainability-related agriculture technologies that are being used by farmers in the U.S. and Europe that could plausibly be adopted by smallholder farmers in the Global South. Their unifying attributes are that they do not require capital-intensive complementary technologies and can be used effectively by a single operator. We categorize the technologies related to “soil health and moisture” and “crop production and nutrient management”. After describing the technologies, we discuss several barriers to adoption and strategies to lessen these barriers. Lastly, we propose that there are several food and nutrition security implications of facilitating adoption of the technologies. The main takeaway message of our propositions is that adoption of the technologies would mainly affect food availability and stability, but have little direct impact on utilization. Thus, adoption-enhancing initiatives will need supplementation with other simultaneous ones that facilitate proper utilization (e.g., food safety, food preparation, and nutrition trainings) to achieved nutrition security goals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security and Sustainability in the Global South)

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