by Rafael Aguirre-Unceta
Original Research
A conjunction of different constraints (natural, anthropogenic, socioeconomic, demographic, etc.), most of which are interrelated, shapes the challenges of food availability and accessibility in the Sahel. This paper aims to explore ways of coping with these constraints and meeting the challenges. The article refers to the present configuration of both short-term and structural responses to Sahelian food insecurity. In short-term emergency action, if significant advances have been made, some recurrent shortfalls reduce its effectiveness. Regarding structural development challenges, the overall picture is a mixed one, with efforts underway on different lines but a mitigated balance of progress for now. Despite an overall trend of agricultural production growth, food deficits have continued to occur in some recent bad weather years. In parallel, chronic food insecurity, associated with poverty, is deep-rooted even after favourable harvests. A multifaceted strategy (inclusive agriculture development, social protection, demography) becomes indispensable. Such a strategy should involve more linkages and synergies between food emergency responses, resilience support to the most vulnerable and development actions.
Journal of Food Security. 2023, 11(1), 16-29. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-11-1-3
Pub. Date: June 06, 2023
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by Paulina O. Adeniyi and Bassey E. Anam
Original Research
The health and income of households is important to national development. Sequel to the inadequate and poor electricity supply especially in many low income countries, many small and medium scale enterprises are adversely affected and the household as well as commercial production and consumption of tigernut milk is not exempted. Also, the possibility of preserving the nutritional quality of tigernut milk after production using easy, safe, affordable, available, and cost effective measure other than refrigeration is yet to be ascertained. These are part of the limitations for the adequate utilization of the nutritious tuber towards improvement of public health nutrition among rural dwellers in Nigeria. This experimental study was therefore designed to determine the effect of boiling twice a day for three days after production on the nutritional, physical, microbiological and sensory properties of tigernut milk with a view of encouraging the household and commercial production and consumption of the imitation milk. Tigernut milk was prepared using appropriate method. Sample was taken on the day of production and designated TM0. On the first, second and third day after production the remaining portions of the milk was subjected to boiling (without fully covering the cooking pot) for 5 minutes twice a day and the samples were designated as TM1, TM2 and TM3 respectively. Samples were subjected to proximate, vitamins, minerals analyses while the physical, microbiological and sensory properties were assessed using standard procedures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare means at p≤ 0.05. The boiling sessions in the course of the 3-day ambient temperature storage of the tigernut milk samples did not adversely alter the proximate, vitamins, mineral composition, as well as the microbiological, physical and sensory properties. As the moisture content decreased significantly with storage period all other components increased. The nutritional quality, physical parameters, microbiological status and sensory properties of tigernut milk were conserved by boiling twice a day for three days and storage at ambient temperature. Household and commercial production and consumption of tigernut milk is hereby encouraged and unavailability of refrigeration facility is no longer a deterring factor.
Journal of Food Security. 2023, 11(1), 8-15. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-11-1-2
Pub. Date: February 05, 2023
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by Tigerjeet Ballayram and Fitzroy J. Henry
Original Research
Objective. To conduct an assessment of governance for food and nutrition security (FNS), in three Caribbean countries, and distill the key lessons learned and the critical role of governance for FNS from this three-country experience. Methods. The authors developed an analytical framework that contextualizes FNS within an inter-related multi-sectoral setting in which governance, global, hemispheric and regional mandates, and other key variables combine to determine a country¡¯s FNS status. Interviews were conducted with upper-level policy makers in the three countries, to solicit their perspectives on governance for FNS. Finally, various policy documents were reviewed to assess the extent to which they included principles of good governance for FNS. Results. Macro-level indicators of good governnce in the three countries are comparable with other Caribbean peers, but some of the indicators have been declining in recent years. FNS-oriented structures and institutions do exist in the countries, but they focus mainly on their respective core mandates, and rarely appreciate the multisectoral dimensions of FNS. There is a plethora of FNS-oriented policies, strategies and action plans, but they do not specify activities to address governance of FNS. Moreover, many policies have expired, and the coordinating bodies for supporting their implementation have not been established and/or are not functioning. FNS policies are implemented in an ad hoc manner, and monitoring and evaluation are rarely conducted. Conclusions. Good governance enhances the efficient delivery of FNS, an essential public good that a country¡¯s citizenry expects from a democratic state. The political leadership and policy makers in all three countries must work harder to ensure that FNS policies and action plans are current, diligently implemented, monitored and evaluated. They must also integrate the human rights-based PANTHER and good governance principles into policies and action plans to achieve more robust FNS outcomes.
Journal of Food Security. 2023, 11(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-11-1-1
Pub. Date: January 04, 2023
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