5 TIPS TO FOOD SECURITY INTERVENTIONS

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Addressing food insecurity requires the designing and implementation of interventions which are appropriate to particular causes of food insecurity. There is need to adopt Several food security interventions, in order to address food insecurity in a holistic manner.

Transitory Food Insecurity

Transitory food insecurity is a temporary phenomenon caused by short term shocks. This is food insecurity purely caused by shocks from temporary hazards such as floods, drought, etc., which occur over a short period of time, normally within one agriculture season. Especially that small-scale agriculture is dependent on rain, seasons of drought and floods are often food insecure times. Outbreaks of crop and livestock diseases and pests are also among the natural causes of food insecurity.

Often the country is ill-prepared and equipped for such disasters and/or occurrences. Individual households and communities negatively affected by temporary hazards or disasters normally recover in subsequent seasons when the shocks cease to exist. The challenge is to understand the nature and impact of such shocks so that appropriate interventions can be applied to mitigate food insecurity.

Chronic Food Insecurity

Chronic food insecurity is perpetual and pervasive. it occurs to households and communities regardless of whether there has been a disaster or not. It is a consequence of poverty and underdevelopment. Households and communities that suffer from chronic food insecurity will experience it even when there are no natural or human induced shocks.

These are the types of households and communities that always appear vulnerable and become perpetual beneficiaries of short term interventions in the form of food relief. The challenge is to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of food insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment. The knowledge of this could help in designing and implementation of appropriate short and long term interventions, in order to achieve food security.

Intervention Strategies

·               Short Term Interventions

Short term interventions are measures that are implemented over a short period in order to address problems of food insecurity. The emphasis in short term the National Agricultural Policy (NAP) for achieving broad-based agricultural growth focus on diversification and irrigation development. Zambian agriculture, particularly small-scale is seasonal (rain-dependent) so strategies of promoting agricultural diversification and irrigation development are important.

For food insecure farming households, these strategies have to be packaged in ways that are appropriate for the level of skills and assets that these households currently possess or can access. In promoting diversification for food security, it is also prudent to take into account comparative advantage of livelihoods of the various socio-economic groups of the population, in different areas of the Country.

Safeguard and develop natural sources of food

Agriculture in the Zambian setup includes crops, livestock and fisheries and all need to be promoted and developed for increased food security. People living outside natural water bodies should, for example, be encouraged and supported to take up aquaculture, taking into account comparative advantage of the area and livelihoods.

Community-based management of fisheries resources should be encouraged. The available abundant resources of land, water and humans should optimally be utilized in enhancing food security. Agriculture as business also requires financing. Deliberate effort to provide affordable finances/credit to the farming community, especially the small-scale farmers, is imperative.

Food security intervention tips exchange

Information and experience sharing and technological transfer through an efficient and effective extension system should also be supported. There should also be Implementation of this in order to address problems of food security and nutrition. Employment generates income for accessing food and for supporting asset creation to build resilience against shocks. It is also a factor in determining food quality and use. In small-scale farming households, the wage income of one or more family members can make the difference between food security and hunger.

For households which do not depend on their own food production for food security, earned income is usually essential. Employment income can Also make wealth creation possible. This in turn can transform the livelihood Base of a household from a vulnerable to a sustainable one.

Crop diversification

Diversified sources of income are a ‘cushion’ for household food insecurity. The More diversified the sources of household income is, the less likelihood there is for the household to be food insecure. Engagement in and opportunities for Income generating activities should be supported, encouraged and created Especially for poor households. Predominantly agricultural households should Also be involved in other (non-agricultural) income-generating activities for Sustainable food security.

Readiness for intervention by emergency institutions

The strengthening of emergency preparedness and response through measures such as the provision of early warning information and data; and creation and maintenance of strategic food reserves is also important and requires serious attention in alleviating food insecurity. Successful implementation of food security interventions requires a multi-sectoral approach. However, correct identification and prioritisation of key Sectors are very important to achieving quick and sustainable results.