by Nilson de Paula and Nelson Delgado
Original Research
The main purpose of this paper is to show the disconnection within Brazilian food system between the agro-industrial sector, mostly plugged in the global markets and the strategies of domestic food security. The methodological procedures adopted for this analysis are oriented by a critical view, mostly inspired in the notion of food regime, of how Brazilian food system has evolved, mainly by a dialogue with a relevant literature, both conceptual and empirical. By doing so, information related to foreign investment, food trade and consumption were referred to as to depict the disconnection between the most dynamic agro-industrial segments and the strategies of food security taking place in Brazil. Whereas the exploitation of the most fertile resources responds to the global capillarity of large corporations, significant proportions of food distribution are in the hands of small family farms by means of alternative trade mechanisms and State food policies. Even though agricultural exports have been very supportive for macroeconomic policies, there emerges a lack of cohesion within Brazilian food system given the loosen links between local food supply and the most dynamic agricultural segments. This contrast is analysed in the light the main features of the world food system, the ways food security is pursued, and also the pattern of food consumption in Brazil.
Journal of Food Security. 2016, 4(5), 120-125. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-4-5-3
Pub. Date: October 27, 2016
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by Danyo Gilbert and Osei-Bonsu Albert
Original Research
Ghana is endowed with extensive mineral and agricultural resources. The regions which serve as the major agro-ecological zones coincide with the largest deposits of mineral resources. Destruction of arable land in the agro-ecological zones by illegal small-scale gold mining (galamsey) affects agricultural productivity, and threatens food security in Ghana. This article examines the impact of the effects of illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, through the lens of a conceptual model that links galamsey and agricultural productivity, in terms of the realistic threat to food security, using secondary data such as Ghana’s agricultural productivity records, consumer price indices of food commodities, and the national food import statistics. The data show that, major galamsey regions (Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Central and Western), recorded progressively lower food productivity and correspondingly higher Consumer Price Indices than the national averages over the last few years (from 2012). Over the same period, the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product () declined inversely with mining. By degrading arable lands, contaminating water bodies, polluting the air, shifting labour from food crop farming to mining and displacing farmers, galamsey by surface mining is largely responsible for the low food production, food price spikes and the high cost of living, especially in galamsey-prone regions of Ghana. But surface mining can be a short term land use that may be followed by productive farmland, if reclamation is done correctly. Land expansion from reclamation of degraded open cast mines will boost agricultural productivity; close existing yield gaps in crops, enabling the country to achieve food import substitution for major food staples, particularly cereals such rice and wheat. This in turn, will reduce the national import food dependence, food import bill, food price hikes and the cost of living. Thus, reclamation of degraded galamsey-mines is critically important in achieving all three dimensions of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (social, economic and environmental), and more specifically goal two (end hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture) of the Post-2015 Agenda. The author therefore, recommends compulsory reclamation of degraded surface mines for arable use, as a sustainable proposition to mitigate the threat of food insecurity in Ghana. The threat to food security is real and imminent!
Journal of Food Security. 2016, 4(5), 112-119. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-4-5-2
Pub. Date: October 27, 2016
41990 Views17619 Downloads1 Likes
by Sangram Kishor Patel, Madhusudana Battala and Rajatashuvra Adhikary
Original Research
Background: Food insufficiency is one of the important contributing factors among female sex workers (FSWs) to engage in risky sexual behaviors and cause of HIV infection in developing countries. Studies exploring linkages between food insufficiency and HIV risk behaviors among FSWs are limited despite having potential program and policy implications. This study attempts to assess the food insufficiency among FSWs and examine its relationship with HIV risk behaviors and violence in India. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from the Avahan-III baseline evaluation survey- 2015, conducted among FSWs (n=4098) using a three-stage cluster sampling approach in four states of India. Multivariate logistic regression (with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI)), bivariate analysis and frequency were used to assess the relationships between food insufficiency, HIV risk behaviors and violence. Results: Nearly one-fifth of FSWs (17%) reported of facing food insufficiency in past 6 months. More than 35% of FSWs had entertained more clients to cope with the situation of food insufficiency followed by defaulted on loans (24%), borrowed money from informal sources (20%) and had sex without condoms (7%). The likelihood of consistent condom use with non-regular (67% vs. 77%; AOR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) and regular partner (22% vs. 51%; AOR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.4) were significantly lower among FSWs who reported food insufficiency than among those who did not. The likelihood of consistent condom use with occasional (90% vs. 95%; AOR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.4-0.7) and regular clients (88% vs. 91%; AOR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.6-0.9) were significantly lower among FSWs who reported food insufficiency compared to those who did not. FSWs who reported food insufficiency were also significantly more likely to report STI symptoms (28% vs. 13%; AOR: 2.7) and any violence (16% vs. 9%; AOR: 2.1) than their counterparts. Conclusions: The findings of the study highlight that FSW’s food insufficiency is significantly associated with HIV risk behaviors and violence. This study underscores the need for community-led interventions focusing on food insufficiency and economic strengthening activities to reduce HIV vulnerability among FSWs. However, further evidence-based research and advocacies on food insufficiency is required to ensure that HIV prevention programs are appropriately addressed.
Journal of Food Security. 2016, 4(5), 104-111. DOI: 10.12691/jfs-4-5-1
Pub. Date: September 08, 2016
13562 Views3407 Downloads