Key Issues in Agriculture

Document Analysis Your group has six documents depicting a variety of data. Examine all six documents carefully and identify both positive and inverse correlations as well as spatial trends that emerge. Be prepared to discuss your conclusions.

Role of Women on Farms In your group, compare the two documents on Handout 3 and answer the following questions Which aspects of the role of women in agriculture, as depicted in the supplied sources, are similar? Which differences can be inferred?

What is Food Security? Food Security Hunger Vulnerability The World Food Summit of 1996 defined food security as existing “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”. The Atlas of World Hunger defines it as the “likelihood of current or future exposure of a group to undernourishment and undernutrition.” Not Enough Calories Not receiving or poorly absorbing nutrients in the diet.

Inverse Relationship Food Security and Hunger Vulnerability have an inverse relationship. As the former increases, the latter decreases. Hunger Vulnerability How would you depict the relationship between these factors on the graph? Food Security

Food Security Built on 3 Pillars Food availability: sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis. Food access: having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. Food use: appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care, as well as adequate water and sanitation.

The Great Debates Concerning Global Food Security There is enough food in the world to feed everyone adequately; the problem is distribution. Future food needs can - or cannot - be met by current levels of production. National food security is paramount - or no longer necessary because of global trade. Globalization may - or may not - lead to the persistence of food insecurity and poverty in rural communities.

The Role of Women in Food Security Increases in women’s income and empowerment correspond to improved child nutrition. The higher the gender inequality in a country, the higher its vulnerability to hunger and food insecurity.

Women and Agriculture: A Conversation on Improving Global Food Security