Office of Overseas Programming & Training Support (OPATS) Introduction to Food Security

Defining Food Security Food Security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. (1996 World Food Summit)

Key Facts  Estimated 925 million hungry people in the world  By 2008, 33.3% of Tanzanians lived below the Basic Needs Poverty line and 17% of the population was below the food poverty line.  # of people undernourished (millions): 13.7  Proportion of undernourished in total pop: 34%  Child malnutrition, underweight: 44%  Child malnutrition, underweight, stunting: 50%  Child mortality rate (per 1000 live births): 108

Key Facts  Approximately 40% world’s arable land is degraded by climate change and worsening  Half a billion small farms in the world support 2 billion people  Poor people spend 50%-80% of income on food  Agriculture accounts for more than 25% of GDP and 75% of the labor force  Total Land area (1000 ha): in TZ  Arable land (1000 ha): in TZ

Learning Objectives  Introduction to Food Security  Introduction to Feed the Future  Describe The EAT Squad’s role and responsibilities  Identify at least three activities that can improve food security

 Food security and health  Food security and environment  Food security and livelihoods  Every PCV is also a Food Security Volunteer Why focus on food security?

4 Food Security Components Availability Affordability & financial Access Resilience & Stability Utilization Nutritional Quality and Family use of Food Food Security

Availability  Food availability addresses “supply side” of food security  Determined by 1.Food Production Levels 2.Stock Levels 3.Net Trade

Access  Food access depends on household’s ability to : – obtain food from their own production, stocks, purchases, gathering – obtain food from food transfers from relatives, members of the community, the government, or donors – individual household members’ access to resources  Household ability to meet food needs (over a year) varies due to: – inadequate crop production by the household due to poor soils or lack of labor – loss or decrease in income sources such as employment, social obligations – natural disaster.

Utilization Individual nutritional status is determined by sufficient energy and nutrient intake, which results from: good care and feeding practices food preparation diversity of diet intra-household distribution of food The way the body uses various nutrients in food GOOD NUTRITION

Stability  Food security varies across geography and varies for each person depending on circumstances.  “At all times” = the stability dimension of food security. – Emphasizes reducing the risk of adverse effects on food availability, access or utilization.  “All people, at all times” is integral to the definition of food security and is key to achieving national food security objectives Access, Availability, and Utilization should be stable over time and not affected negatively by natural, social, economic, or political factors.

Inadequate food consumption varies from a short-term experience to a lifelong condition. Two types of food insecurity Chronic food insecurity Transitory food insecurity Long-term or Persistent Extended periods of poverty, asset scarcity inadequate access to productive or financial resources. Long-term or Persistent Extended periods of poverty, asset scarcity inadequate access to productive or financial resources. Food Insecurity—Duration Short-term & Temporary Relatively unpredictable and can emerge suddenly. Short-term & Temporary Relatively unpredictable and can emerge suddenly.

Gender & Food Security: Women’s Role in Food Security  Women and children under the age of 5 are the most affected by food insecurity  Women bear the brunt of domestic and agricultural tasks: Preparing and cooking food Caring for children, the elderly, and the sick In Africa, the HIV/AIDS pandemic burdens caretakers even more Processing food crops, providing water and firewood, picking fruit  Women are primarily responsible for their families’ health, education, and nutrition.

Brainstorming….  There are many ways to respond to food insecurity and help your communities improve their capacity to reduce poverty and increase food security  When you get to your community, list a few of the things that you need to do to begin work on addressing food security.

Feed the Future  US governments global hunger and food security initiative  FTF started in Mali (2007) and now is in 21 countries of Africa + Nepal  PCTZ and FtF signed a partnership in March 2013  5 year contract with funding  Objectives include trainings, small project assistance and M&E

Feed the Future  Eight private sector implementing partners focused on different aspects of Food Security  Partners with PCV’s due to access to villages  Important funding source for grants

The EAT Squad  Eight volunteers from all three sectors and a wide range of regions  Facilitate trainings  Manage resources  Support YOU! In YOUR food security endeavors

The EAT Squad  To promote access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to improve quality of life by providing knowledge, skills, and resources to volunteers and Tanzanians

USALAMA WA CHAKULA  QUESTIONS??  NIULIZE