This document contains preliminary results from an analysis of maize production and consumption in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Key findings include:
1) Maize production has increased in the region since 1980-1990 but the annual growth rate is declining.
2) Maize and maize products may be the most important source of energy and protein for inhabitants of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua and could be the most important food source, vital for household food security.
3) However, the importance of maize in the diet varies greatly between countries in the region.
4) Tables and figures show trends in maize area harvested, production, yields, imports, exports
This document provides guidance on writing abstracts. It explains that an abstract is a concise summary of a completed research project or paper. It should motivate the topic, describe the methods, present the main results, and discuss conclusions. Abstracts are typically 200-300 words. The document provides tips for writing abstracts, including revising extensively and using keywords. It then provides 10 sample abstracts from different academic fields to demonstrate effective summarization in various disciplines. The abstracts highlight the significance of the research, methodology, and main findings or conclusions in 3 sentences or less to give readers a high-level understanding.
This document provides information about abstracts, including definitions of descriptive and informative abstracts, guidelines for writing abstracts, and examples. It defines an abstract as a short summary that describes the key points of a larger work. Descriptive abstracts outline the topic and scope while informative abstracts also include results and conclusions. The document explains that abstracts allow readers to quickly evaluate a work's relevance and are useful for indexing in databases. It provides tips for writing abstracts, such as identifying the problem, methodology, and implications. Examples of both descriptive and informative humanities and science abstracts are included to illustrate the components and style.
The document provides information about the internship of Sajjad Ashraf at Kay & Emms, including dedications, acknowledgements, and an abstract. It then discusses various aspects of Kay & Emms' operations, including merchandising, production planning and control (PPC), industrial engineering (IE), work study, standard minute value (SMV), time study, line balancing, and efficiency. The key areas covered are the types of merchandising, responsibilities of merchandisers, sampling processes, costing methodology, benefits of PPC, functions of IE, concepts of work study, SMV, and how efficiency is calculated.
Effects of sa ps on agriculture in mukono district(original)Dennis Kateregga
Since 1987, the government of Uganda has been implementing economic policy reforms under the commonly called Structural Adjustment Programme. Among other policy measures, price controls and the monopoly of marketing boards were dismantled and export duties were virtually eliminated.
This study examines Ugandan farmers’ socio-economic backgrounds farm resource availability and farmers’ perception towards SAP, It also analyses the effects of SAP on output, household income. Most specifically, the study determines how and to which extent trade liberalization policies should be implemented, the capability of the liberalized economy to withstand unfavourable world market price changes.
Results from a field survey in Mukono district where questionnaires were administered on a sample size of 45 farmers, indicate that there was a decline in farm production and changes in farm production.
This study also analysed the vulnerability of the liberalized economy in case of unfavourable changes in external market conditions. Given the fact that farmers respond to changes in market conditions, appropriate policy measures should be undertaken to increase the flow of benefits that accrue from adjustment policies to the farming community. If such measures are not in place, efforts of carrying out structural adjustment will be rendered fruitless.
This document discusses trends in sustainable development related to agriculture, rural development, land, desertification, and drought. It notes that while agricultural productivity has increased globally, significant gaps remain between regions. Cereal yields have increased substantially worldwide since the 1960s due to improved varieties and irrigation, except in Sub-Saharan Africa which relies more on expanding cultivated area. Irrigation is far more extensive in Asia than Africa. Only in Asia has public spending on agriculture risen steeply over the past decades.
This document summarizes a study on the impact of extension services on cocoa production in Ghana's Amansie West District. It outlines the background and importance of cocoa in Ghana's economy. The study aims to evaluate the services provided by extension agents, changes in production levels due to their interventions, gaps in services, and farmer perceptions of support. It will use a random sampling method to survey 200 cocoa farmers using questionnaires and interviews to analyze the effects of extension services and gaps on cocoa production.
Concern Universal conducted an impact assessment of its horticulture training and technology interventions in The Gambia and Senegal over the past 8 years. Key findings include:
1) The interventions reached an estimated 17,000 rural households, with 13,000 adopting horticulture. This led to increased incomes and fewer "hungry months" during the dry season.
2) Total additional annual income generated for farmers is estimated at $2.4 million, with 69% plausibly attributed to Concern Universal's interventions. Over the intervention period, $14 million in cumulative income was added.
3) There was an estimated return of 179% on the $8.2 million invested by donors and Con
Hunger and Malnutrition in the countries of the Association of Caribbean Stat...Onyema Onwuka
This document provides an analysis of hunger and malnutrition in the countries of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). It finds that while the region produces enough food to meet the needs of over three times its population, 53 million people still lack access to sufficient food. Rates of undernourishment, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies vary widely between countries. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 remains a challenge for many ACS nations. The report identifies vulnerable groups, economic costs of malnutrition, current food policies and programs, and recommendations to maximize their effectiveness.
This document provides guidance on writing abstracts. It explains that an abstract is a concise summary of a completed research project or paper. It should motivate the topic, describe the methods, present the main results, and discuss conclusions. Abstracts are typically 200-300 words. The document provides tips for writing abstracts, including revising extensively and using keywords. It then provides 10 sample abstracts from different academic fields to demonstrate effective summarization in various disciplines. The abstracts highlight the significance of the research, methodology, and main findings or conclusions in 3 sentences or less to give readers a high-level understanding.
This document provides information about abstracts, including definitions of descriptive and informative abstracts, guidelines for writing abstracts, and examples. It defines an abstract as a short summary that describes the key points of a larger work. Descriptive abstracts outline the topic and scope while informative abstracts also include results and conclusions. The document explains that abstracts allow readers to quickly evaluate a work's relevance and are useful for indexing in databases. It provides tips for writing abstracts, such as identifying the problem, methodology, and implications. Examples of both descriptive and informative humanities and science abstracts are included to illustrate the components and style.
The document provides information about the internship of Sajjad Ashraf at Kay & Emms, including dedications, acknowledgements, and an abstract. It then discusses various aspects of Kay & Emms' operations, including merchandising, production planning and control (PPC), industrial engineering (IE), work study, standard minute value (SMV), time study, line balancing, and efficiency. The key areas covered are the types of merchandising, responsibilities of merchandisers, sampling processes, costing methodology, benefits of PPC, functions of IE, concepts of work study, SMV, and how efficiency is calculated.
Effects of sa ps on agriculture in mukono district(original)Dennis Kateregga
Since 1987, the government of Uganda has been implementing economic policy reforms under the commonly called Structural Adjustment Programme. Among other policy measures, price controls and the monopoly of marketing boards were dismantled and export duties were virtually eliminated.
This study examines Ugandan farmers’ socio-economic backgrounds farm resource availability and farmers’ perception towards SAP, It also analyses the effects of SAP on output, household income. Most specifically, the study determines how and to which extent trade liberalization policies should be implemented, the capability of the liberalized economy to withstand unfavourable world market price changes.
Results from a field survey in Mukono district where questionnaires were administered on a sample size of 45 farmers, indicate that there was a decline in farm production and changes in farm production.
This study also analysed the vulnerability of the liberalized economy in case of unfavourable changes in external market conditions. Given the fact that farmers respond to changes in market conditions, appropriate policy measures should be undertaken to increase the flow of benefits that accrue from adjustment policies to the farming community. If such measures are not in place, efforts of carrying out structural adjustment will be rendered fruitless.
This document discusses trends in sustainable development related to agriculture, rural development, land, desertification, and drought. It notes that while agricultural productivity has increased globally, significant gaps remain between regions. Cereal yields have increased substantially worldwide since the 1960s due to improved varieties and irrigation, except in Sub-Saharan Africa which relies more on expanding cultivated area. Irrigation is far more extensive in Asia than Africa. Only in Asia has public spending on agriculture risen steeply over the past decades.
This document summarizes a study on the impact of extension services on cocoa production in Ghana's Amansie West District. It outlines the background and importance of cocoa in Ghana's economy. The study aims to evaluate the services provided by extension agents, changes in production levels due to their interventions, gaps in services, and farmer perceptions of support. It will use a random sampling method to survey 200 cocoa farmers using questionnaires and interviews to analyze the effects of extension services and gaps on cocoa production.
Concern Universal conducted an impact assessment of its horticulture training and technology interventions in The Gambia and Senegal over the past 8 years. Key findings include:
1) The interventions reached an estimated 17,000 rural households, with 13,000 adopting horticulture. This led to increased incomes and fewer "hungry months" during the dry season.
2) Total additional annual income generated for farmers is estimated at $2.4 million, with 69% plausibly attributed to Concern Universal's interventions. Over the intervention period, $14 million in cumulative income was added.
3) There was an estimated return of 179% on the $8.2 million invested by donors and Con
Hunger and Malnutrition in the countries of the Association of Caribbean Stat...Onyema Onwuka
This document provides an analysis of hunger and malnutrition in the countries of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). It finds that while the region produces enough food to meet the needs of over three times its population, 53 million people still lack access to sufficient food. Rates of undernourishment, malnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies vary widely between countries. Achieving the Millennium Development Goals of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 remains a challenge for many ACS nations. The report identifies vulnerable groups, economic costs of malnutrition, current food policies and programs, and recommendations to maximize their effectiveness.
Training on Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) and Local Technical Agroclimatic Comittees (MTA / LTAC) to the DeRISK project team.
February 11 -19 2020, CIAT Hanoi, Vietnam
Predicting Extension Professionals' Climate Change PerceptionsLPE Learning Center
We know that climate change generates reactions from deep concern to disbelief. Regional outreach programs that develop materials for extension agents must understand two audiences–the extension agent and the ultimate receiver to be effective. Previous research suggests that Americans fall into six categories, or “Six Americas,” with their perspectives on climate change (alarmed to dismissive). Our 2011-2012 study used a 56-item web-based survey to collect data from extension professionals (n=2,758) in eight southeastern states and classify them according to the Six Americas spectrum. Using econometric modeling techniques, we specify predictive models of extension professionals’ perceptions on climate change as a function of several factors, including location (e.g., from coastal counties), political leaning (e.g., conservative), major program area (e.g., livestock), and position in extension (e.g., extension agent). We present the results of these models, and briefly discuss potential application of the models and implications of the findings for program development, long term education strategies, and climate change messaging.
http://www.extension.org/pages/67718/predicting-extension-professionals-climate-change-perceptions
The economic impact of agricultural development on poverty reduction and welf...Caroline Chenqi Zhou
This study employs quantitative and qualitative methods to identify the relationship between agricultural development, poverty reduction, and income inequality. Building upon the World Bank’s Enabling the Business of Agriculture study (2016) and data from the World Development Indicators (2015) for the years 2000 to 2014, we test two hypotheses. The first pertains to agricultural development and poverty reduction to assess to what extent agricultural development reduces poverty. The second, in a similar fashion, addresses the relationship between agricultural development and income inequality. To supplement our quantitative analysis of these questions, we include a case study of agricultural development, agricultural policy reforms, and their impact in Vietnam and Tanzania. We find evidence that agricultural development reduces poverty.
This report estimates the scale of global food waste for the first time using comprehensive new data collection and modelling. It finds that approximately 931 million tonnes of food is wasted yearly, with household food waste making up around 570 million tonnes of this total. The report also finds that per capita food waste generation is broadly similar across high, middle and low income countries. This challenges previous narratives that concentrated consumer food waste in developed nations. Additionally, the report develops a new methodology for countries to measure food waste at the household, food service and retail levels in order to track progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030. This will allow for consistent global reporting and evidence-based food waste reduction
This document summarizes a needs assessment of the cocoa and coffee industries in Trinidad and Tobago. It finds that both industries are in decline and in danger of disappearing despite government efforts to rejuvenate them. Key recommendations include immediately liberalizing coffee trade and gradually liberalizing cocoa trade. It also recommends modifying cocoa quality and pricing systems, developing farmer associations, emphasizing extension programs, integrating market-oriented research, and conducting industry surveys. The assessment provides a historical overview and analyzes the organization, markets, production levels, stakeholders and government support structures for cocoa and coffee in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ensuring Food Security in Myanmar- Targeting the Land and Credit Markets to S...Sanjan Haque
This document analyzes challenges to ensuring food security in rural Myanmar by examining land property rights and access to credit. It was commissioned by Oxfam Myanmar to suggest policy options to promote agriculture and food security. The report finds that unequal land distribution has left much land idle and exacerbated food insecurity, while the lack of affordable credit beyond state-run banks means over half of farmers borrow expensively from informal sources. It recommends land redistribution, land reform, strengthening property rights enforcement, deregulating banks, expanding microfinance institutions, and building agricultural credit supplier capacity to support smallholder farmers and improve food security outcomes.
The Tallahassee Farmers Market Promotion Project was a collaboration between the City of Tallahassee, farmers, nonprofit organizations, and area universities. It was funded by a USDA grant to strengthen local farmer markets. The project aimed to educate farmers and consumers about local food security and expand two key markets - the Red Hills Small Farms Alliance and Frenchtown Heritage Market. The target area of Leon, Gadsden, and Jefferson Counties had been identified as 'food deserts' with low-income neighborhoods lacking healthy food access. Partners worked together on farmer and consumer outreach, workshops, and improving the neighborhood food environment.
This document provides an evaluation report of the World Food Programme's (WFP) operation in Mozambique from 2012 to 2015. The evaluation was conducted by a team of four specialists and managed by Edna Berhane. The report details the operation's objectives, activities, partners, and provides an assessment of the appropriateness, results, and factors affecting the operation based on interviews and data collection in Mozambique.
Authors:
Heather Jacobs, Francesco Tubiello, Rocío Cóndor
FAO -- Climate, Energy and Tenure Division
Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on NAMAs Vientiane, Laos
22-25 April, 2014
1. Agriculture is an important socio-economic sector
2. Agriculture is an important GHG emitter
3. Synergies between Mitigation, Adaptation and Food Security: An opportunity for agriculture NAMAs
Dr Dev Kambhampati | World Bank- Agriculture for Nutrition in Latin America &...Dr Dev Kambhampati
This document provides guidance for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture projects in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It begins with an introduction on the importance of nutrition-sensitive agriculture for food security and an overview of the current situation in LAC. It then offers opportunities to impact nutrition outcomes through policy changes and program design. Country notes on Haiti, Brazil and Guatemala provide examples. The document concludes with guidance on measuring nutrition results of agriculture interventions in the region. The overall aim is to bridge the conceptual framework with practical tools to help project managers design nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives in LAC.
The Michigan Wheat Program 2014-2015 Annual Report summarizes the organization's accomplishments in its strategic plan over the past year. Key accomplishments include establishing a strong research program focused on growers' needs and funding over 50 research projects; investing over $1.1 million in research; partnering with MSU on a new wheat specialist position; holding farmer events highlighting research; and establishing outreach activities including a website, newsletter, and consumer events. Moving forward, the board will continue implementing the strategic plan to support the Michigan wheat industry through research, marketing, education and communication.
MDG Report 2014 - Assessing Progress in Africa towards the Millennium Develop...Dr Lendy Spires
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been a catalyst for action by governments, civil society and the private sector to advance development. The effects have been direct, including mobilizing aid for social development, and indirect, through advocacy and global monitoring, particularly of key indicators of progress in education, health and gender equality. African Member States have made remarkable progress towards achieving the MDGs despite difficult initial conditions. Indeed, previous MDG Progress Reports for Africa have shown that when effort and initial conditions are factored in, African countries are among the top achievers of the MDGs.
A study of countries accelerating the most rapidly towards the MDGs found that eight of the world’s top ten best performers are in Africa. Further, progress was more rapid in least-developed countries (LDCs) than in non-LDCs despite the significant investments in infrastructure and human capital that countries at very low levels of development require to achieve the MDGs. The development context and landscape in many African countries is changing. With the imminent MDG target date of 2015, it is important for Member States to build and sustain the momentum achieved to date and ensure that their development priorities and aspirations find credible expression in the post-2015 Development Agenda/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Due to the rapid growth experienced by several African countries in the past decade, the continent can now have greater fiscal autonomy in charting its own development path based on the different contexts of individual countries and the shared aspirations of the African people. Indeed, the discourse is shifting to a narrative that emphasizes ownership underpinned by robust domestic resource mobilization and adequate policy space. Understandably, Official Development Assistance (ODA) will remain an important feature of the development financing landscape and a substantial component of the fiscal envelope of most low-income countries.
Nevertheless, there is a growing recognition that with the prevailing global uncertainties and fiscal consolidation in many developed countries, ODA should at best be seen as a complement and not a substitute for domestic resources, investment and trade. These observations are pertinent in the context of the decline in ODA to Southern, East, Central and West Africa as a group during the 2011–12 period. ODA should also be dedicated to catalytic initiatives, such as strengthening the capacity of low-income countries to mobilize more domestic resources. Africa’s growth acceleration offers the potential of offsetting, at least in part, the revenue shortfalls that some countries may experience as a result of declines in ODA. But even higher rates of growth and revenue can be achieved when illicit financial flows are curbed; public resources are used prudently;
The document provides a feasibility report for a potential CSA (community supported agriculture) program in Waterbury, CT. It finds that while the typical CSA customer differs from most Waterbury residents, a CSA could still address food equity and diet issues. Key considerations for a sustainable CSA include careful attention to product cost, accessibility, and diversity to attract both higher and lower income customers. If implemented well, a CSA could help improve residents' health by increasing access to fresh, nutritious foods.
This document summarizes the climate change adaptation strategies of the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region, Philippines. The key strategies discussed are:
1) The Climate Smart Farm Business School project, which provides training to agricultural extension workers on climate-resilient business farming technologies to help farmers adapt to climate change impacts.
2) Mainstreaming the Climate Resilient Agri-fisheries – AdapatationMitigation Initiative in Agriculture through coordination with the Department of Agriculture System-wide Climate Change Office.
3) The analysis aims to help the department prepare future programs related to climate change adaptation, protection of ecosystem services, and ensuring food and livelihood security in Davao Region.
This document provides a report from the UN Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond. It summarizes actions taken at the national, regional, and global levels to address issues related to youth development and empowerment. At the national level, over 70% of UN member states have formulated national youth policies, while over 80% have established national youth coordinating mechanisms. However, only 40% have fully implemented national youth programs of action. The report reviews examples of youth policies and programs from various countries in Africa, Asia, and other regions. It concludes by identifying continuing problems in implementation and providing recommendations to strengthen youth empowerment moving forward.
This research report provides evidence to support the work of Raleigh Tanzania in rural communities. It finds that access to water and sanitation remains a significant issue, with over 50% of rural residents lacking access. Community resilience is also a challenge, as the majority of the population relies on subsistence farming and small businesses for income. Youth unemployment is high, and entrepreneurship opportunities limited. The report recommends that Raleigh Tanzania continue its work in water and sanitation, community development, and supporting youth initiatives to address these ongoing development needs in Tanzania.
Rural development report of the Secretary-GeneralDr Lendy Spires
Rural development programmes have had varying degrees of success in reducing rural poverty. A large number of rural people in developing countries still lack access to basic services like health, education, water, and sanitation. Overcoming these challenges requires focusing on improving agriculture productivity and tapping non-farm sectors, enhancing natural resource management, improving rural infrastructure, and providing access to rural finance, markets, technology, and education. Some countries have seen success through integrated approaches addressing rural infrastructure, resource conservation, empowering women, and off-farm job opportunities.
Progress Report of Implementating Sustainable Development Goals in 2018.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued the advance unedited version of the 2018 edition of his yearly report on progress towards the SDGs. The report is based on selected SDG indicators for which data were available, using the latest data as of 10 May 2018.
The report titled, ‘Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,’ is produced to inform the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The global indicator framework used in the report was developed by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), and later adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in July 2017 (resolution 71/313).
Mexico has implemented several key rural social programs to address food security and poverty:
1. PROGRESA/Oportunidades provides cash transfers to families conditional on health care and education to improve nutrition in the short-term.
2. PROCAMPO provides cash payments per hectare to farmers growing staple crops, benefiting smallholders but with funds concentrated among larger farms.
3. Other programs include Apoyo Alimentario providing food baskets or cash, MasAgro promoting sustainable agriculture, and PESA funding local development projects.
However, rural poverty and food insecurity remain challenges as economic growth and job creation have fallen short of goals while informal work and inequality are high. Trade
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Training on Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) and Local Technical Agroclimatic Comittees (MTA / LTAC) to the DeRISK project team.
February 11 -19 2020, CIAT Hanoi, Vietnam
Predicting Extension Professionals' Climate Change PerceptionsLPE Learning Center
We know that climate change generates reactions from deep concern to disbelief. Regional outreach programs that develop materials for extension agents must understand two audiences–the extension agent and the ultimate receiver to be effective. Previous research suggests that Americans fall into six categories, or “Six Americas,” with their perspectives on climate change (alarmed to dismissive). Our 2011-2012 study used a 56-item web-based survey to collect data from extension professionals (n=2,758) in eight southeastern states and classify them according to the Six Americas spectrum. Using econometric modeling techniques, we specify predictive models of extension professionals’ perceptions on climate change as a function of several factors, including location (e.g., from coastal counties), political leaning (e.g., conservative), major program area (e.g., livestock), and position in extension (e.g., extension agent). We present the results of these models, and briefly discuss potential application of the models and implications of the findings for program development, long term education strategies, and climate change messaging.
http://www.extension.org/pages/67718/predicting-extension-professionals-climate-change-perceptions
The economic impact of agricultural development on poverty reduction and welf...Caroline Chenqi Zhou
This study employs quantitative and qualitative methods to identify the relationship between agricultural development, poverty reduction, and income inequality. Building upon the World Bank’s Enabling the Business of Agriculture study (2016) and data from the World Development Indicators (2015) for the years 2000 to 2014, we test two hypotheses. The first pertains to agricultural development and poverty reduction to assess to what extent agricultural development reduces poverty. The second, in a similar fashion, addresses the relationship between agricultural development and income inequality. To supplement our quantitative analysis of these questions, we include a case study of agricultural development, agricultural policy reforms, and their impact in Vietnam and Tanzania. We find evidence that agricultural development reduces poverty.
This report estimates the scale of global food waste for the first time using comprehensive new data collection and modelling. It finds that approximately 931 million tonnes of food is wasted yearly, with household food waste making up around 570 million tonnes of this total. The report also finds that per capita food waste generation is broadly similar across high, middle and low income countries. This challenges previous narratives that concentrated consumer food waste in developed nations. Additionally, the report develops a new methodology for countries to measure food waste at the household, food service and retail levels in order to track progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving food waste by 2030. This will allow for consistent global reporting and evidence-based food waste reduction
This document summarizes a needs assessment of the cocoa and coffee industries in Trinidad and Tobago. It finds that both industries are in decline and in danger of disappearing despite government efforts to rejuvenate them. Key recommendations include immediately liberalizing coffee trade and gradually liberalizing cocoa trade. It also recommends modifying cocoa quality and pricing systems, developing farmer associations, emphasizing extension programs, integrating market-oriented research, and conducting industry surveys. The assessment provides a historical overview and analyzes the organization, markets, production levels, stakeholders and government support structures for cocoa and coffee in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ensuring Food Security in Myanmar- Targeting the Land and Credit Markets to S...Sanjan Haque
This document analyzes challenges to ensuring food security in rural Myanmar by examining land property rights and access to credit. It was commissioned by Oxfam Myanmar to suggest policy options to promote agriculture and food security. The report finds that unequal land distribution has left much land idle and exacerbated food insecurity, while the lack of affordable credit beyond state-run banks means over half of farmers borrow expensively from informal sources. It recommends land redistribution, land reform, strengthening property rights enforcement, deregulating banks, expanding microfinance institutions, and building agricultural credit supplier capacity to support smallholder farmers and improve food security outcomes.
The Tallahassee Farmers Market Promotion Project was a collaboration between the City of Tallahassee, farmers, nonprofit organizations, and area universities. It was funded by a USDA grant to strengthen local farmer markets. The project aimed to educate farmers and consumers about local food security and expand two key markets - the Red Hills Small Farms Alliance and Frenchtown Heritage Market. The target area of Leon, Gadsden, and Jefferson Counties had been identified as 'food deserts' with low-income neighborhoods lacking healthy food access. Partners worked together on farmer and consumer outreach, workshops, and improving the neighborhood food environment.
This document provides an evaluation report of the World Food Programme's (WFP) operation in Mozambique from 2012 to 2015. The evaluation was conducted by a team of four specialists and managed by Edna Berhane. The report details the operation's objectives, activities, partners, and provides an assessment of the appropriateness, results, and factors affecting the operation based on interviews and data collection in Mozambique.
Authors:
Heather Jacobs, Francesco Tubiello, Rocío Cóndor
FAO -- Climate, Energy and Tenure Division
Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on NAMAs Vientiane, Laos
22-25 April, 2014
1. Agriculture is an important socio-economic sector
2. Agriculture is an important GHG emitter
3. Synergies between Mitigation, Adaptation and Food Security: An opportunity for agriculture NAMAs
Dr Dev Kambhampati | World Bank- Agriculture for Nutrition in Latin America &...Dr Dev Kambhampati
This document provides guidance for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture projects in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It begins with an introduction on the importance of nutrition-sensitive agriculture for food security and an overview of the current situation in LAC. It then offers opportunities to impact nutrition outcomes through policy changes and program design. Country notes on Haiti, Brazil and Guatemala provide examples. The document concludes with guidance on measuring nutrition results of agriculture interventions in the region. The overall aim is to bridge the conceptual framework with practical tools to help project managers design nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives in LAC.
The Michigan Wheat Program 2014-2015 Annual Report summarizes the organization's accomplishments in its strategic plan over the past year. Key accomplishments include establishing a strong research program focused on growers' needs and funding over 50 research projects; investing over $1.1 million in research; partnering with MSU on a new wheat specialist position; holding farmer events highlighting research; and establishing outreach activities including a website, newsletter, and consumer events. Moving forward, the board will continue implementing the strategic plan to support the Michigan wheat industry through research, marketing, education and communication.
MDG Report 2014 - Assessing Progress in Africa towards the Millennium Develop...Dr Lendy Spires
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have been a catalyst for action by governments, civil society and the private sector to advance development. The effects have been direct, including mobilizing aid for social development, and indirect, through advocacy and global monitoring, particularly of key indicators of progress in education, health and gender equality. African Member States have made remarkable progress towards achieving the MDGs despite difficult initial conditions. Indeed, previous MDG Progress Reports for Africa have shown that when effort and initial conditions are factored in, African countries are among the top achievers of the MDGs.
A study of countries accelerating the most rapidly towards the MDGs found that eight of the world’s top ten best performers are in Africa. Further, progress was more rapid in least-developed countries (LDCs) than in non-LDCs despite the significant investments in infrastructure and human capital that countries at very low levels of development require to achieve the MDGs. The development context and landscape in many African countries is changing. With the imminent MDG target date of 2015, it is important for Member States to build and sustain the momentum achieved to date and ensure that their development priorities and aspirations find credible expression in the post-2015 Development Agenda/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Due to the rapid growth experienced by several African countries in the past decade, the continent can now have greater fiscal autonomy in charting its own development path based on the different contexts of individual countries and the shared aspirations of the African people. Indeed, the discourse is shifting to a narrative that emphasizes ownership underpinned by robust domestic resource mobilization and adequate policy space. Understandably, Official Development Assistance (ODA) will remain an important feature of the development financing landscape and a substantial component of the fiscal envelope of most low-income countries.
Nevertheless, there is a growing recognition that with the prevailing global uncertainties and fiscal consolidation in many developed countries, ODA should at best be seen as a complement and not a substitute for domestic resources, investment and trade. These observations are pertinent in the context of the decline in ODA to Southern, East, Central and West Africa as a group during the 2011–12 period. ODA should also be dedicated to catalytic initiatives, such as strengthening the capacity of low-income countries to mobilize more domestic resources. Africa’s growth acceleration offers the potential of offsetting, at least in part, the revenue shortfalls that some countries may experience as a result of declines in ODA. But even higher rates of growth and revenue can be achieved when illicit financial flows are curbed; public resources are used prudently;
The document provides a feasibility report for a potential CSA (community supported agriculture) program in Waterbury, CT. It finds that while the typical CSA customer differs from most Waterbury residents, a CSA could still address food equity and diet issues. Key considerations for a sustainable CSA include careful attention to product cost, accessibility, and diversity to attract both higher and lower income customers. If implemented well, a CSA could help improve residents' health by increasing access to fresh, nutritious foods.
This document summarizes the climate change adaptation strategies of the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region, Philippines. The key strategies discussed are:
1) The Climate Smart Farm Business School project, which provides training to agricultural extension workers on climate-resilient business farming technologies to help farmers adapt to climate change impacts.
2) Mainstreaming the Climate Resilient Agri-fisheries – AdapatationMitigation Initiative in Agriculture through coordination with the Department of Agriculture System-wide Climate Change Office.
3) The analysis aims to help the department prepare future programs related to climate change adaptation, protection of ecosystem services, and ensuring food and livelihood security in Davao Region.
This document provides a report from the UN Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond. It summarizes actions taken at the national, regional, and global levels to address issues related to youth development and empowerment. At the national level, over 70% of UN member states have formulated national youth policies, while over 80% have established national youth coordinating mechanisms. However, only 40% have fully implemented national youth programs of action. The report reviews examples of youth policies and programs from various countries in Africa, Asia, and other regions. It concludes by identifying continuing problems in implementation and providing recommendations to strengthen youth empowerment moving forward.
This research report provides evidence to support the work of Raleigh Tanzania in rural communities. It finds that access to water and sanitation remains a significant issue, with over 50% of rural residents lacking access. Community resilience is also a challenge, as the majority of the population relies on subsistence farming and small businesses for income. Youth unemployment is high, and entrepreneurship opportunities limited. The report recommends that Raleigh Tanzania continue its work in water and sanitation, community development, and supporting youth initiatives to address these ongoing development needs in Tanzania.
Rural development report of the Secretary-GeneralDr Lendy Spires
Rural development programmes have had varying degrees of success in reducing rural poverty. A large number of rural people in developing countries still lack access to basic services like health, education, water, and sanitation. Overcoming these challenges requires focusing on improving agriculture productivity and tapping non-farm sectors, enhancing natural resource management, improving rural infrastructure, and providing access to rural finance, markets, technology, and education. Some countries have seen success through integrated approaches addressing rural infrastructure, resource conservation, empowering women, and off-farm job opportunities.
Progress Report of Implementating Sustainable Development Goals in 2018.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued the advance unedited version of the 2018 edition of his yearly report on progress towards the SDGs. The report is based on selected SDG indicators for which data were available, using the latest data as of 10 May 2018.
The report titled, ‘Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,’ is produced to inform the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The global indicator framework used in the report was developed by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), and later adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in July 2017 (resolution 71/313).
Mexico has implemented several key rural social programs to address food security and poverty:
1. PROGRESA/Oportunidades provides cash transfers to families conditional on health care and education to improve nutrition in the short-term.
2. PROCAMPO provides cash payments per hectare to farmers growing staple crops, benefiting smallholders but with funds concentrated among larger farms.
3. Other programs include Apoyo Alimentario providing food baskets or cash, MasAgro promoting sustainable agriculture, and PESA funding local development projects.
However, rural poverty and food insecurity remain challenges as economic growth and job creation have fallen short of goals while informal work and inequality are high. Trade
Similar to Excerpt - Internship Report for UPEACE - Work Example (20)
Excerpt - Internship Report for UPEACE - Work Example
1. ii
Could Maize Be Central America’s Most
Important Grain? An Analysis of Maize and its
Implications for Regional Food and Nutritional
Security
Tania Hernandez
University for Peace
Universidad para la Paz
An Internship report submitted to the Department of Environment and Development,
University for Peace, in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Master of Arts
Degree in Environment, Development and Peace.
December, 2015
Department of Environment and Development
University for Peace
2. ii
ABSTRACT
This report is a summary and reflection of the student’s 3-month internship experience
working at an United Nations Subregional Headquarters in Mexico City. The report includes
lessons learned, an institutional analysis of the organization, problems encountered and solutions
applied, and preliminary findings of the intern’s primary assignment. The intern was tasked with
beginning a maize analysis for the working region of the organization (Central America and the
Dominican Republic) which would later be incorporated as part of the Unit’s contribution to a
publication set to be completed in 2016. Preliminary findings showed that maize production has
increased since the period 1980-1990 and continues to increase in region but with an annual
average growth rate that exhibits a downward trend. Additionally, results show that maize and
its products may be the most important energy and protein source for inhabitants of the following
countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. In fact, they could be the most
important food source for these Central Americans and thus a vital component for household
food security. At the same time, the predominance of maize in the diet varies greatly among
countries within the region.
Este reporte es un resumen y una reflexión de la experiencia que tuvo la pasante durante
su pasantía mientras trabajando para una sede subregional de la Naciones Unidas en la Ciudad de
México por tres meses. El reporte incluye las lecciones aprendidas, un análisis institucional de la
organización, los problemas enfrentados y las soluciones aplicadas, y los resultados preliminares
de la tarea principal de la pasante. La pasante fue asignada de comenzar un análisis de maíz de
la región en donde enfoca la organización (Centroamérica y la República Dominicana) lo cual
sería incorporado como parte de la contribución de la Unidad a la publicación que se completará
en 2016. Los hallazgos preliminares demuestran que la producción de maíz ha aumentado desde
el período 1980-1990 y continua a incrementar en la región aunque con una tasa de crecimiento
promedio anual que muestra una tendencia a la baja. Adicionalmente, los resultados señalan que
el maíz y sus productos puedan ser la fuente más importante de energía y proteína por los
habitantes de los siguientes países: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras y Nicaragua. De hecho,
podrán ser la fuente de alimento más importante para estos Centroamericanos y por lo tanto, un
componente esencial para la seguridad alimentaria del hogar. Al mismo tiempo, la importancia
del maíz a la dieta varía considerablemente entre los países de la región.
3. iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract..…………………..………………………………………………………………………ii
List of Tables………………………………………………………………...……………………v
List of Figures…………………….………………………………………………………………vi
List of Acronyms…………………………………..…………………………………………….vii
SECTION I: Job Description....…………………………………………………………….……..1
SECTION II: Graph and Table Work Examples...……….…………………..……………….2
SECTION III: Preliminary Results of My Work in the Agriculture and Climate Change Unit at
ECLAC-Mexico……………………………………………………………………………….…14
References………………………………………………………………………………………..18
4. iv
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 World and Regions: Maize Production and Yields, 1980-2013…………………..3
Table 2 Central America: Maize Production and Yields, 1980-2013……………………...3
Table 3 Central America and the Dominican Republic:
Gini Coefficient, 2013 and 2014…………………………………………………..9
Table 4 Levels of Poverty by Country, 2014……………………………………………..10
Table 5 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Prevalence of Undernourishment,
1990-2016……………………………………………………………………..…10
Table 6 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Prevalence of Food Over-
Acquisition by Country, 1990-2013……………………………………………..11
Table 7 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Average Proportion of Energy,
Protein and Fat from Food Supplied by Maize and Products by Country, 1999-
2001 and 2009-2011……………………………………………………………..16
5. v
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Maize Harvested Area and
Production, 1980-2013…………………………………………………….2
Figure 2 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Maize Imports by Country,
1980-2013…………………………………………………………………4
Figure 3 International Maize Prices, January 2005-July 2015………………..…….4
Figure 4 Central America: Maize Net Production, Imports, Exports and Apparent
Consumption, 1980 and 2013……………………………………………..5
Figure 5 Consumer Price Index, Food, Total, 2000-2015…………………………..6
Figure 6 Consumer Prices for Basic Foods, 2000-2015…………………………….6
Figure 7 Minimum Wage Index, Real, By Country, 2000-2013……………………8
Figure 8 Minimum Agricultural Wage, By Country, 2000-2013…………………...8
Figure 9 Price Paid to the Producer, Maize, 2000-2013……………………………9
Figure 10 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Average Proportion of
Daily Food Energy Supplied by Maize and Products by Country, 1999-
2001 and 2009-2011…..…………………………………………………12
Figure 11 Central America and the Dominican Republic: Average Proportion of
Food Energy Supplied by Maize and Products, Animal Products and Fruits
and Vegetables by Country, 1999-2001 and 2009-2011……………..….13
Figure 12 Figure 7: Average Proportion of Daily Food Energy Supply Provided by
Maize by Region, 2009-2011……………………………………………17
6. vi
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CEPAL Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe
CEPALSTAT Statistics of Latin America and the Caribbean
ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
FAOSTAT Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
Statistics Division
Ha Hectares
Kcal Kilocalories
MS Microsoft
QGIS Quantum Geographic Information System
SIRSAN Sistema Integrado de Información Regional en Seguridad
Alimentaria y Nutricional
t Tons
UN United Nations
UPEACE University for Peace
7. 1
SECTION I: Job Description of the Internship
The intern, under general guidance of the Chief of the Agricultural Development and Climate
Change Unit of ECLAC-Mexico City, performed the following activities:
• Collected, evaluated, interpreted and analyzed specified statistics and qualitative socio-
economic information obtained from a variety of sources and pertaining to food security
and climate change with special focus on Central America and the Dominican Republic
• Used various tools (Microsoft Excel and mapping software (QGIS)) to synthesize,
compare and display data in preparation for insertion into a section of an ECLAC
document focused on the aforementioned themes
• Researched and prepared written analyses to accompany visual displays of data and
drafted reports with a special focus on climate change and food security in the region and
in a way that is meaningful to non-specialists
• Maintained regular contact with direct supervisor and incorporated
corrections/suggestions into work for continuous improvement
8. 2
SECTION II: Graph and Table Work Examples
Below are many of the tables and graphs that I created using data gathered from several
databases regularly used by ECLAC-Mexico and which are part of the maize analysis I assisted
with and are to be included in Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe. (2016).
Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional en Centroamérica. Naciones Unidas, CEPAL, LC/MEX/L.:
Figure 1: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Maize Surface Area and
Production, 1980-2013
(Thousands of hectares and thousands of tons)
Source: CEPALSTAT, 2015
9. 3
Table 1: World and Regions: Maize Production and Yields, 1980-2013
(Tons and tons/hectares)
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
Table 2: Central America: Maize Production and Yields, 1980-2013
(Tons and tons/hectares)
CENTROAMÉRICA: PRODUCCIÓN Y RENDIMIENTOS DEL MAÍZ, 1980-2013
(Toneladas y toneladas/hectáreas)
Período Belice Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panamá Rep. Dominicana
Producción
1980-1990 19 709,00 95 517,45 519 240,27 1 103 898,55 466 416,55 220 803,18 80 661,55 49 994,55
1991-2000 32 112,80 32 212,30 591 108,00 1 119 860,50 572 159,90 289 780,50 98 828,50 36 529,90
2001-2013 44 147,00 15 580,23 740 936,77 1 385 054,08 532 334,00 493 384,08 90 435,15 36 127,69
2013 71 926,00 13 969,00 866 701,00 1 731 772,00 596 071,00 545 938,00 131 657,00 45 416,00
Rendimientos
1980-1990 1,6 1,7 2,0 1,7 1,4 1,2 1,1 1,5
1991-2000 2,3 1,8 2,0 1,8 1,4 1,2 1,5 1,3
2001-2013 2,8 2,0 2,9 1,9 1,6 1,4 1,6 1,5
2013 3,4 2,2 3,0 2,0 1,6 1,7 2,4 1,6
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
MUNDO Y REGIONES: PRODUCCIÓN Y RENDIMIENTOS DEL MAÍZ, 1980-2013
(Toneladas y toneladas/hectáreas)
Período Mundo Américas Centroamérica
Producción
1980-1990 442 725 207,27 240 908 572,55 14 893 485,82
1991-2000 558 137 587,50 301 757 405,30 20 265 328,50
2001-2013 776 227 542,14 409 777 701,49 24 585 085,17
Rendimentos
1980-1990 3,5 4,4 1,8
1991-2000 4,1 5,3 2,2
2001-2013 4,9 6,7 2,8
10. 4
Figure 2: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Maize Imports by Country, 1980-
2013
(Thousands of tons)
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
Figure 3: International Maize Prices, January 2005-July 2015
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
11. 5
Figure 4: Central America: Maize Net Production, Imports, Exports and Apparent
Consumption, 1980 and 2013
(Thousands of tons)
A. 1980
Source: CEPALSTAT, 2015
12. 6
Figure 5: Consumer Price Index, Food, Total, 2000-2015
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
Figure 6: Consumer Prices for Basic Foods, 2000-2015
A. Maize
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
*No data available for Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua and Panama.
13. 7
B. Corn tortilla
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
*No data available for Belize, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua.
C. Sugar
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
*No data available for Belize and Nicaragua.
14. 8
Figure 7: Minimum Wage Index, Real, By Country, 2000-2013
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
*No data available for Belize
Figure 8: Minimum Agricultural Wage, By Country, 2000-2013
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
*No data available for Belize.
15. 9
Figure 9: Price Paid to the Producer, Maize, 2000-2013
(Dollars per ton)
Source: CEPALSTAT, 2015
*No data available for Belize.
Table 3: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Gini Coefficient, 2013 and 2014*
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
*These are the most recent figures reported by countries for the years 2013 and 2014.
**No recent data available for Belize.
CENTROAMÉRICA Y LA REP. DOMINICANA: COEFICIENTE DE GINI, 2013 Y
2014*
Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panamá
Rep.
Dominicana
0,52
(2013)
0,41
(2012)
0,54
(2002)
0,57
(2012)
0,53
(2005)
0,54
(2003)
0,50
(2010)
0,51
(2014)
0,40
(2013)
0,59
(2006)
0,54
(2013)
0,48
(2009)
0,54
(2008)
0,51
(2011)
16. 10
Table 4: Levels of Poverty by Country, 2014
(Percentage of population)
NIVELES DE POBREZA POR PAÍS, 2014
(Porcentaje de la población)
País
Pobreza
Nacional
Pobreza
Urbana
Pobreza
Rural
Costa Rica 22.4 19.5 30.3
El Salvador 34.78 30.57 41.72
Guatemala 53.71 34.97 71.35
Honduras 70.07 65.99 73.64
Nicaragua 58.3 52.9 65.4
Panamá 26.5 59.7
República
Dominicana
40.42 36.53 48.44
Source: SIRSAN, 2015
Table 5: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Prevalence of Undernourishment,
1990-2016
(Percent)
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
CENTROAMÉRICA Y LA REP. DOMINICANA: PREVALENCIA DE LA SUBNUTRICIÓN, 1990-2016
(Porcentaje)
1990-92 1995-97 2000-02 2005-07 2010-12 2013-15 2014-16
Belice 9,7 6,7 5,8 <5 5,7 6,3 6,2
Costa Rica 5,2 5,6 5,1 5,6 5,3 5,5 <5
El Salvador 16,2 15,4 10,6 10,7 12,6 12,6 12,4
Guatemala 14,9 17,1 20,4 15,9 14,8 15,6 15,6
Honduras 23 19,8 18,5 16,4 14,6 12,3 12,2
Nicaragua 54,4 42,9 31,3 23,2 19,5 17,1 16,6
Panamá 26,4 25,6 27,6 22,9 13,4 10 9,5
Rep. Dominicana 34,3 27,3 28,4 24,2 15,9 12,5 12,3
17. 11
Table 6: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Prevalence of Food Over-
Acquisition by Country, 1990-2013
(Percentage)
CENTROAMÉRICA Y LA REP. DOMINICANA: PREVALENCIA DE SOBRE-ADQUISICIÓN DE LOS ALIMENTOS
POR PAÍS, 1990-2013
(Porcentaje)
1990-1992 2000-2002 2005-2007 2010-2012 2011-2013
Belice 25,6 31,1 34,2 31,3 30,6
Costa Rica 23,1 21,1 20,1 20,8 20,6
El Salvador 17,6 22,8 21,9 18,8 18,5
Guatemala 22,4 15,2 24,8 26,4 26,3
Honduras 20,9 23,3 25,1 27,0 28,2
Nicaragua 4,5 12,5 18,9 22,4 23,5
Panamá 10,0 8,8 11,5 20,1 22,2
Rep. Dominicana 4,4 5,3 7,0 11,9 13,5
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
18. 12
Figure 10: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Average Proportion of Food
Energy Supplied by Maize and Products by Country, 1999-2001 and 2009-2011
(kcal/capita/day)
CENTROAMÉRICA Y LA REP. DOMINICANA: PROPORCIÓN PROMEDIO QUE APORTA EL MAÍZ Y
SUS PRODUCTOS AL SUMINISTRO DE ENERGÍA DE LOS ALIMENTOS POR PAÍS, 1999-2001 Y
2009-2011
(kcal/cápita/día)
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
19. 13
Figure 11: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Average Proportion of Food
Energy Supplied by Maize and Products, Animal Products and Fruits and Vegetables by
Country, 1999-2001 and 2009-2011
(kcal/capita/day)
CENTROAMÉRICA Y LA REP. DOMINICANA: PROPORCIÓN PROMEDIO QUE APORTA EL MAÍZ Y
SUS PRODUCTOS, LOS PRODUCTOS DE ORIGEN ANIMAL Y LOS VEGETALES Y FRUTAS AL
SUMINISTRO DE ENERGÍA DE LOS ALIMENTOS POR PAÍS, 1999-2001 Y 2009-2011
(kcal/cápita/día)
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
Note: The category “fruits” does not include wine.
20. 14
SECTION V: Preliminary Results of My Work in the Agriculture and Climate Change Unit at
ECLAC-Mexico
Primary Assignment: Maize Analysis
As part of the publication entitled “Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional en
Centroamérica1
” which is expected to be published in 2016, the Head of the Agriculture and
Climate Change Unit has tasked several members of the team with conducting a detailed analysis
of maize as the Unit’s contribution to the document. Unlike previous documents which have
covered all three basic grains, maize has been selected as the sole focus for this study because of
its unique dietary importance to the peoples of Central America.
Although the majority of my work on this assignment has been
concentrated on gathering, computing and arranging data in the form of charts and graphs for
comparison and analysis, I have translated and summarized some of the key preliminary
results/findings from my written analysis thus far (which often company visual displays of data)
below in bullet form:
Although maize production in Central America has increased since 1980-1990, the
average annual growth rate exhibits a downward trend (FAOSTAT, 2015).
In the period 2001-2013, yields were 4.9 t/ha on a world level, 6.7 t/ha in the Americas,
and 2.8 t/ha in the Central American region (FAOSTAT, 2015).
Central American maize production has increased within the last three decades from 21,
290, 000 tons in 1980 to 37, 420, 000 tons in 2013 (CEPALSTAT, 2015).
The countries with higher maize production are Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and
Nicaragua; the countries with lower maize production are Belize, Costa Rica, Panama
and the Dominican Republic.
Guatemala was producing almost one million tons of maize in 1980, and in 2012
production reached approximately 1,750,000 tons. In general, an increase in production
1
English translation: Food and Nutritional Security in Central America
21. 15
can be associated with an increase in yields which grew from 1.5 t/ha to 2.1 t/ha by the
end of the period, with a maximum level of 2.5 t/ha in 2006 (CEPALSTAT, 2015).
El Salvador is the second biggest producer of maize in the region. In 1980 it was
producing around 500,000 tons, while in 2013 the country produced more than 850,000
tons. The increase in production reflects an increase in yields which improved from 1.8
t/ha in 1980 to almost 3 t/ha in 2013, with a maximum of 3.4 t/ha in 2008. What is
notable is the annual variation in production, a result of the behaviour of yields, which is
itself probably associated with the country’s climatic variability given that it is
susceptible to experiencing extreme weather conditions, particularly droughts, flooding
and tropical storms – all of which affect agricultural activities (GFDRR, n.d.).
Panama’s maize production increased until 1995 when the country produced more than
100, 000 tons. After this year, production fell and has since leveled off at around 80, 000
tons on average although with as much variability in production as in yields. The fall in
Panama’s maize production is attributed to a reduction in the cultivated surface area; at
the beginning of the 1990s, Panama cultivated 88,000 hectares while in 2009 the country
cultivated 58, 000 hectares (SIAGRO, 2013; CEPALSTAT, 2015).
The Dominican Republic has maintained production at around 40,000 tons since 1980.
The most recent figure is of 45,000 tons in 2013. This demonstrates that the country has
no experiences an improvement in yields which increased from 1.3 t/ha to 1.6 t/ha in the
same period. Various factors can explain the lower production of maize and the lack of
improvement in yields: by and large, maize is produced by small-scale producers
utilizing low levels of technology; the demand for maize for human consumption is
insignificant, especially in comparison with demand for rice which is the country’s staple
food (IICA, 1997; FAOSTAT, 2015).
Although I had not yet reached the nutritional section of the written
analysis, my findings on this topic were of particular interest to me. As shown in the graphs I
presented earlier (see Figures 5 and 6) the importance of maize to the diets of peoples in
Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua is especially striking. For example, in the
periods 1999-2001 and 2009-2011, for all four these countries, on average maize accounted for
20% or more (over 30% in Guatemala for both periods) of daily energy and protein supply per
22. 16
person whereas in the remaining countries (Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and
Panama), maize accounted for less than 10% of daily energy and protein supply per person for
both periods (see Table 4) (FAOSTAT, 2015). Actually, in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador
and Nicaragua, maize appears to be the most important food source providing more daily energy
per person than any other food including animal products and fruits and vegetables. When I
investigated further, I found that for the period 2009-2011, on average maize supplied 30% of
daily energy supply per person (kcal/per capita/day) in Central America making maize the
region’s most importance source of energy. The only other two regions in the world where
maize accounts for such a significant portion of daily energy per person is Southern Africa
(29%) followed by Eastern Africa (23%) (see Figure 7).
Table 7: Central America and the Dominican Republic: Average Proportion of Energy,
Protein and Fat from Food Supplied by Maize and Products by Country, 1999-2001 and
2009-2011
(Percent)
CENTROAMÉRICA Y LA REP. DOMINICANA: PROPORCIÓN PROMEDIO QUE APORTA EL MAÍZ Y SUS PRODUCTOS
AL SUMINISTRO DE ENERGÍA, PROTEINA Y GRASAS DE LOS ALIMENTOS POR PAÍS, 1999-2001 Y 2009-2011
(Porcentaje)
1999-2001
Belice Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panamá Rep. Dominicana
Energía 7 1 29 39 31 20 6 4
Proteina 6 1 30 40 33 21 5 4
Grasas 1 1 15 23 13 11 1 1
2009-2001
Belice Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panamá Rep. Dominicana
Energía 9 3 27 33 28 25 6 2
Proteina 8 3 26 33 29 25 5 3
Grasas 1 1 14 17 12 12 1 1
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
23. 17
Figure 12: Average Proportion of Daily Food Energy Supply Provided by Maize and
Products by Region, 2009-2011
(kcal/capita/day)
Percent
Source: FAOSTAT, 2015
Despite not having had the chance to dive into the nutritional components
of maize and its products, where maize is over-represented as a single energy source in the diet
may be problematic. This is because maize, transformed into staple foods found in Guatemala,
El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua such as tortillas or tamales de elote2
, is not a significant
source of any nutrients (save for maybe fiber) and instead serve as greater sources of fats and
carbohydrates. However, apart from cultural considerations, taking into account the high levels
of poverty in these countries, especially in rural areas, coupled with high consumption levels of
this grain, I would hypothesize that these preliminary findings may indicate that for low-income
populations, maize products are extremely important ‘tummy fillers’ and thus vital to household
food security.
2
Corn tamale, widely consumed in El Salvador; contains no other type of filling.
24. 18
REFERENCES
CEPALSTAT. (2015). Data available at
http://estadisticas.cepal.org/cepalstat/web_cepalstat/Portada.asp?idioma=i
FAOSTAT. (2015). Data available at http://faostat3.fao.org/home/E
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery. (N.d). Disaster Risk Management in
Central America: GFDRR Country Notes, El Salvador. Washington, D.C.: GFDRR.
Retrieved from http://www.gfdrr.org/sites/gfdrr.org/files/El_Salvador_DRM.pdf
IICA (Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture). (1997). Agriculture in the
Dominican Republic, 1991-1995 & beyond. Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and
Tobago.
SIAGRO (Sistema de Información Agropecuaria). (2013). Data available at
http://www.cepal.org
SIRSAN (Sistema Integrado de Información Regional en Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional).
(2015). Data available at http://www.sica.int/sirsan/