scholarly journals Climate Change and Small Farmers’ Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1523
Author(s):  
Clodine S. Mbuli ◽  
Lotsmart N. Fonjong ◽  
Amber J. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Small Farmers ◽  
Community Food Security ◽  
North West ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

There is interconnectedness between small farmers’ productivity, climate change, and the state of food security in Africa south of the Sahara. The neglect of small farmers amidst climate change challenges in the Global South suggests the existence of a vicious circle of low productivity and deprivation that exacerbates the vulnerability of small-scale farmers, who largely depend on rain-fed agriculture to feed their families and nations. The limited adaptive capacity of these farmers in the face of growing instability in rainfall and temperatures is affecting the output, profitability, and survival of these small-scale farmers, whose production is principally for the local market and therefore critical for community food security. The underdeveloped local agricultural sector and limited investment in climate-smart agriculture also affect small farmers’ productivity and ability to meet the food demands of increasing populations. This paper examines the challenges of small-scale farmers in a resource-rich economy, their vulnerability to climate change, and the effects on food insecurity. It is based on an in-depth qualitative case study of 30 residents from the Tiko and Santa areas in the South West and North West regions of Cameroon, respectively. The paper argues that small farmers’ vulnerability to climate-induced agricultural losses increases the risks of food insecurity for the growing Cameroonian population.

scholarly journals Wild Food Harvest, Food Security, and Biodiversity Conservation in Jamaica: A Case Study of the Millbank Farming Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donovan Campbell ◽  
Alex A. Moulton ◽  
David Barker ◽  
Tashana Malcolm ◽  
Lance Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Wild Food ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Relationship

Harvesting wild food is an important coping strategy to deal with food insecurity in farming households across the Caribbean. The practice is tightly connected to the region's unique agrarian history, food heritage, traditional cuisine, and local knowledge of wild or semidomesticated plants. In Jamaica, small-scale farmers are the chief stewards of agrobiodiversity, and their food security and well-being are often dependent on wild food harvest. Yet, there is a paucity of empirical research on the relationship between wild food use, food security, and biodiversity conservation. In this paper, we use the knowledge and lived experience of rural farmers in a remote community (Millbank) at the edge of the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park (BJMNP) to explore the relationship between wild food harvest and food insecurity within the context of protected area management. Specifically, we seek to (1) characterize different patterns of wild food harvest; (2) examine the relationship between food insecurity and wild food harvest, and (3) explore the implications of forest conservation measures for wild food harvest. Detailed interviews were conducted with 43 farmers to capture data on food insecurity, wild food collection, livelihood satisfaction, household characteristics, farming activities, livelihood strategies, and forest resource interaction. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) was used to characterize food insecurity, while participatory techniques were used to develop indicators to assess the well-being of farmers. The results show strong evidence of a relationship between wild food harvest and food insecurity (p < 0.001). Overall, the findings support the importance of wild foods to the well-being of rural households and provide empirical evidence for its inclusion in food security, poverty, and biodiversity conservation policies.

scholarly journals Agricultural Climate Change Adaptation in Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7069
Author(s):  
Andung Bayu Sekaranom ◽  
Emilya Nurjani ◽  
Fitria Nucifera
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Agricultural Diversification ◽  
Socioeconomic Adaptation ◽  
Assess Climate Change ◽  
Resilient Infrastructure ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Productive agricultural areas in Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia are potentially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. We surveyed small-scale farmers to assess climate change-related perceptions and adaptations in the agriculture sector. The majority of the respondents agreed that there were changes in climatological variables affecting their farming activities, especially in terms of precipitation and temperature. However, the results also revealed that only 13% of respondents believed that human activities play a significant role. Three forms of adaptations have been developed by the farmers, namely: (1) agricultural diversification, (2) agricultural intensification, and (3) socioeconomic adaptation. Changing crops to more climate-tolerant varieties was one of the most common agricultural diversification practices (implemented by 88% of farmers). Most of the farmers also tried to maintain agricultural productivity by adjusting a local planting calendar (implemented by 94% of farmers). The use of machinery to intensify farming practice was an uncommon strategy (implemented by only 30% of farmers) because of expensive maintenance and small cultivation areas. The results suggested the importance of increasing farmers’ knowledge and technological know-how related to climate change and its implications, developing effective adaptation and mitigation efforts, and constructing climate-resilient infrastructure in the agricultural sector.

scholarly journals CONTRIBUTION OF SMALL-SCALE FARMING AND LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA – A REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluseyi Olutoyin Olugbire ◽  
Sunmbo Olorunfemi ◽  
Olarewaju Titilope
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
National Bureau ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
The Government ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Prior to the year 1970, agriculture was the main source of livelihood and backbone of the Nigerian economy until the discovery of oil drastically decelerated its potential to sustainably maintain food security and generate significant export earnings. Despite its sudden fall in productivity, agriculture still remains the main sector providing the highest employment (70% of the population) for the populace. To tackle these problems, many policies were formulated (from 1960 to 2015) to resuscitate the sector but to no availdue to failure in tailoring suitable policies to engage small-scale farmers and address other socio-economic problems. This paper constitutes an in-depth review of agricultural production and food security in Nigeria with relative importance attributed to local food supply and small-scale farmers. The article analyzes several documents of the Nigerian Government and international organizations, such as the Food and Agricultural Organization, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and a number of peer-reviewed journals across various disciplines to provide a balanced interdisciplinary review. The paper concludes that food insecurity is at its peak in Nigeria and urgent attention is required in the agricultural sector to compensate for the unstable food balance in the country. There is a need for the Government to take strong measures against the food deficit situation and to support the development of the primary agriculture sector. The paper proposes viable policies that could involve smallholders, aid transformation and positively restructure the agricultural sector.

scholarly journals Adoption and Promotion of Resilient Crops for Climate Risk Mitigation and Import Substitution: A Case Analysis of Cassava for South African Agriculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assefa B. Amelework ◽  
Michael W. Bairu ◽  
Obakeng Maema ◽  
Sonja L. Venter ◽  
Mark Laing
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
South African ◽  
Import Substitution ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Cassava Production ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Cassava is an important starchy root crop grown globally in tropical and subtropical regions. The ability of cassava to withstand difficult growing conditions and long-term storability underground makes it a resilient crop, contributing to food security. Historically, small-scale farmers have grown cassava as a minor crop in the far north-eastern part of the country. However, there is an initiative to scale up cassava production, with two discrete areas of interest: large-scale production for industrial starch, and expanding its footprint as a food security crop for small-scale farmers, especially in the context of climate change. In this scoping study, production, processing and marketing data for cassava were accessed from the FAO and US Commercial trade databases. Other domestic market and demand analysis case studies were also explored. There is no cassava data available for South Africa. The study indicated that South Africa imports more than 66,000 tons of starch annually, of which 33% is cassava starch, showing the availability of a local market. The potential of cassava for the South African economy is discussed. Significant industrial opportunities exist for the production and use of cassava in South Africa. However, the realization of these opportunities will depend on the reliable supply of good quality cassava roots. However, the lack of a well-established cassava research program, and a lack of an existing value chain for the industrial scale cassava production and processing are barriers to the development of cassava industry in South Africa. As the initial step to the development of a successful cassava industry, high potential germplasm is imported, characterized and bred for local conditions to ensure the sustainable primary production of cassava. Subsequently, industrial value chains will need to be developed as the optimization of the breeding and agronomy of the crop are completed, and yield potentials are quantified in the different regions of the country.

Gender, weather shocks and food security: empirical evidence from Uganda.

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-55
Author(s):  
F. Mwesigye
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Weather Shocks ◽  
Climate Change And Variability ◽  
Sector Performance ◽  
Female Headed Households

Abstract Following an overview of agricultural sector performance, climate change, and variability in Uganda, this chapter presents a study examining the food security effects of weather shocks by gender in the country. The results show that the incidence of food insecurity increases with an increase in all measures of weather shocks (drought, floods, and irregular rains). In addition, the findings reveal that female-headed households are more vulnerable to climate change than male-headed households and hence are most likely to suffer from food insecurity. The results also show that refugees and rural households are more prone to food insecurity than national- and urban-based households.

scholarly journals The Effect of Devolution of Agricultural Sector on the Citizens’ Livelihoods in Wajir County

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (III) ◽  
pp. 187-198
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Jimale Muhumed ◽  
David Minja
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
County Government ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
County Level ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

Devolution of government functions is one of the key moves introduced by the government, to enhance its service delivery and promote self-governance at County level. At a glance, devolution has come with both benefits and downsides, which are unique to the service/function that has been devolved. Agriculture was previously a function of the National government, under the Ministry of Agriculture. It is currently a devolved ministry, no longer under the sole control of the National government. Same as other devolved functions, it was expected that devolving the ministry of Agriculture would lead to better agricultural production at county level. Devolution Agricultural functions was expected to enhance agricultural production in the counties. The study thus sought to establish the effect of devolution of the agricultural sector on the livelihoods in Wajir County. This study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the effects of devolution of agricultural sector on the empowerment of small-scale farmers, to determine the effects of devolution of agricultural sector on incomes of households and to examine the effects of devolution of agricultural sector on food security of households in Wajir County. The study is hinged on the Sustainable Livelihood Approach. The study adopted a descriptive survey that helped in determining and reports the way things are and attempts to describe such things as possible behavior, attitudes, values, and characteristics. The study targeted5273 small-scale farmers and agricultural officers across all Wajir sub-counties. The study sampled 372 farmers from all the Sub-Counties in Wajir. Therefore, 372 farmers and 6 agricultural officers were used making a total sample size of 378 respondents. The researcher purposively selected six agricultural officers one from each sub-county. In identifying the farmers from each sub-county, the study used simple random sampling. The study will adopt both qualitative and quantitative data. The study used questionnaires for collecting data from 372 farmers, which will be constructed based on the research objectives. The questionnaires were administered using drop and pick method; this provided farmers with enough time to answer the questions. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, percentages and standard deviation. The study used Chi-Square to establish the relationship between the variables. The study findings indicated that the effect of devolution of agricultural activities in Wajir County has significantly affected the level of food security, sources of income and empowerment among the households in the county. Due to devolution of the agricultural activities, the county government now provides extension services, funds, inputs such as fertilizers and credits for agricultural activities and that has led to an increase in food production which has greatly improved food security and enhanced income generation. The small scale farmers no longer rely on livestock farming but also crop farming. Since the study findings present a significant effect of devolution of the agricultural activities to the county level in Wajir, it recommends that the county government should invest more in some of the agricultural activities such as access to agricultural services like Plough and tractor, Borehole and dam for irrigation, Extension services, Livestock vaccination and Disease surveillance, control, and awareness. There should also be an increase in the provision of services such as the provision of farm inputs and marketing of farm products on behalf of farmers in order to encourage more participation in agriculture by the households. In so doing, the small scale farmers in Wajir County will be more empowered, their income will improve and food security will also be enhanced.  

scholarly journals Old Ways, New Ways—Scaling Up from Customary Use of Plant Products to Commercial Harvest Taking a Multifunctional, Landscape Approach

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Julian Gorman ◽  
Diane Pearson ◽  
Penelope Wurm
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Community Food Security ◽  
Commercial Harvest ◽  
Multifunctional Landscape ◽  
Patterns And Processes

Globally, the agricultural sector is facing many challenges in response to climate change, unsustainable farming practices and human population growth. Despite advances in technology and innovation in agriculture, governments around the world are recognizing a need for transformative agricultural systems that offer solutions to the interrelated issues of food security, climate change, and conservation of environmental and cultural values. Approaches to production are needed that are holistic and multisectoral. In planning for future agricultural models, it is worth exploring indigenous agricultural heritage systems that have demonstrated success in community food security without major environmental impacts. We demonstrate how indigenous practices of customary harvest, operating in multifunctional landscapes, can be scaled up to service new markets while still maintaining natural and cultural values. We do this through a case analysis of the wild harvest of Kakadu plum fruit by Aboriginal people across the tropical savannas of northern Australia. We conclude that this system would ideally operate at a landscape scale to ensure sustainability of harvest, maintenance of important patterns and processes for landscape health, and incorporate cultural and livelihood objectives. Applied to a variety of similar native products, such a production system has potential to make a substantial contribution to niche areas of global food and livelihood security.

scholarly journals The Politics of Agricultural Development in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI)

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 5874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joost Jongerden ◽  
Wouter Wolters ◽  
Youri Dijkxhoorn ◽  
Faik Gür ◽  
Murat Öztürk
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Food System ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Capital Investments ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Subsistence Production ◽  
Risk Approach ◽  
Small Scale Farmers

From being a smallholder-based, food-producing country covering its basic needs, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in Iraq (KRI) have become major importers of food. The sustainability of the agricultural sector has been systematically undermined by conflict, neglect, and mismanagement, as a result of which the capacity of its farmers to feed the population declined. Even though local policymakers, the international community, and the international organisations emphasise the potential of agriculture for food production, job creation, and income generation, they also tend to consider the current food system problematic because of an alleged low productivity that they relate to the existing smallholder system. For them, such system poses a lack of competences and skills of farmers, and a subsistence production orientation. This approach culminated in a policy-making process that offered land and water for capital investments, and thus neglecting the potentials and competencies of (small-scale) farmers. The concomitant neglect of the human dimension of agriculture, namely the family farm, is essentially the continuation of an economically and ecologically high-risk approach that may lead to a further decline of the sector’s ability to produce food for the local market.

scholarly journals Climate change and food security: The role of biotechnology

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (53) ◽  
pp. 6354-6364
Author(s):  
W Quaye ◽  
◽  
RM Yawson ◽  
ES Ayeh ◽  
I Yawson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Plant Biotechnology ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Sub Saharan

Several climate change related factors including temperature increases, changes in rainfall patterns and outbreak of pests and diseases negatively affect agricultural productivity and food security . Climate change effects significantly in crease production risk and rural vulnerability, particularly in regions that already suffer from chronic soil and water resource scarcity or high exposure to climatic extremes, such as droughts and flooding. The effects of climate change on agriculture may depend not only on changing climate conditions, but also on the agricultural sector’s ability to adapt through changes in technology and demand for food. Significant proportions of the growing populations in developing countries derive their livelihoods f rom agriculture and are, therefore, vulnerable to climate change effects . The task of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by 2015, as per Millennium Development Goals , will require both regional and global research efforts and concrete actions among which biotechnology adoption plays a key role. Advances in biotechnology can lead to cutting -edge technologies in agriculture. However, sub -Saharan Africa faces an uphill task with regard to the adoption and use of agricultural biotechnology. The potential to improve the livelihoods of resource -poor farmers is a strong incentive to meet the challenge. This paper reviews research work on climate change in relation to increasing food insecurity situation in sub -Saharan Africa (SSA) , and the significance of plant biotechnology in reversing the disturbing food insecurity trends on the continent . To move plant biotechnology forward, the paper recommends that African countries institutionalize effective bio -safety regulatory frameworks, and commit resources to capacity building and provision of infrastructure for biotechnology development . Funding of Genetically Modified Organism ( GM O) related research into tropical and sub- tropical staple foods , suitable for the needs of small- scale farmers in SSA countries , is strongly recommended. There is also the need for researchers to engage in effective education and communication with the general public so as to enhance adoption of biotechnological products in Africa .

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