Global forum on food security and nutrition

Gustavo Aguilar Casas, Mexico

Original Spanish text

El problema de la desnutrición a nivel mundial se ha generado por la falta de educación en la sociedad, ya que el alta índice de natalidad en sociedades poco favorecidas no es controlado por falta de interés de los gobiernos y esto ha llevado un aumento en la pobreza de esos sectores.

Las mujeres tienen un papel muy importante, porque han sido las administradoras de los bienes de la familia, por eso es muy importante llevar una educación al núcleo familiar y esto implica capacitar a la ama de casa para el mejor aprovechamiento de sus recursos.

La educación en agrícola debe tener por objetivo el mejor aprovechamiento de los recursos, tomando en cuenta los mejores cultivos de esa tierra, temporal y el aprovechamiento de los residuos de estos para enriquecer nuevamente la tierra.

En conclusión, debemos exigir a los gobiernos, universidades y población en general en apoyar programas para mejorar la educación agrícola, de aprovechamientos de recursos y nutrición en estas poblaciones poco favorecidas.

English translation

The problem of malnutrition worldwide has been generated by the lack of education, as the high birth rate in less favored societies is not controlled because of a lack of interest of governments, and this has led to an increase of poverty in these sectors.

Women play a very important role, because they do manage the family assets. Hence, it is very important to bring education to the family nucleus and this involves training housewives in the best use of resources.

Agricultural education should aim at the best use of resources, considering the best crops in the area, and the temporary use of waste of these to enrich the soil again.

In conclusion, we should urge governments, universities and the general public to support programs to improve agricultural education, resource exploitation and nutrition for these less favored populations.

Ikhtiar Khandaker, Plan International, Bangladesh

Economic opportunity for landless women either through homestead gardening or poultry or goat rearing linking with existing opportunities either from government or non-government organizations has created capacity to take the family level decisions especially about their children's nutrition and also children's education. Women used to use useless lands owned by the government like alongside cannel or roads with a free allocation negotiated with government departments as lease. It is also giving them opportunity to control over their income from those sources that has great impact on their respect by their family level counterpart. Women’s income has increased their mobility in the community even to market. This is the result of a project named Women Economic Empowerment through Nutritive Initiatives (WEENI) which was implemented by Plan International Bangladesh a couple of years back. 

Hira Iftikhar, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan (fourth contribution)

In an era of virtual advancement eating healthy food has become a highly stressed upon issue because of increasing cases of malnutrition. Despite the fact, that deficiencies of macronutrients have been studied for decades, it has come to the point of focus that the deficiencies of micronutrients is also of great concern not only in underdeveloped countries but also in highly developed societies. In Pakistan only, the mortality rate of children under five is 89 per 1,000 live births just because of micronutrient deficiencies. Today every consumer prefers healthy yet convenient food products which contribute to an overall nutritious diet. Food manufacturers have responded by creating innovative products such as dietary, modified or functional foods. In addition to being nutritious, functional foods also provide the consumer with a health benefit and are expected to become a major growth sector. It is important to introduce value added products in market on cheaper prices so that people from all family backgrounds can avail these products and overcome micronutrient deficiencies and hidden hunger

Mehwish Iaghari, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan

Food and climate justice has been a major issue of coastal communities in Pakistan. The community is vulnerable to both food insecurity and climate change impacts. Sindh despite being the richest in natural resources is a highly food insecure province in Pakistan. No legal tool or law is available ensuring food security to the people in Sindh

Despite having 14 million acres under crop cultivation in Sindh, over 71 per cent of households in the province are food insecure — the highest level of food insecurity among the provinces and region. Of these food insecure households, 34pc are food insecure with moderate hunger and 17pc are food insecure with severe hunger, according to a report drafted by the provincial planning and development department.

Not only agriculture but fishing communities are suffering an epidemic of disability in Karachi, Thatha, Sanghar and Jamshoro. Researchers say malnutrition is the cause. Hence, the government must be blamed for visiting this calamity on them. There has been no policy for fishing in the country. This is what has made life and livelihoods impossible for the fisherfolk.

According to the Health & Nutrition Development Society (HNDS), the fisherfolk have the highest number of disabled persons per union council. The HNDS carried out a survey of 11,014 households and found 5148 suffered disability. Children are the main victims. The research studied 3460 households in Landhi, 3304 households in Rehri and 4250 households in Ibrahim Hyderi. Results shocked everyone. Some 2250 were identified as disabled in Rehri, 1286 in Ibrahim Hyderi and 1612 in the Landhi union council.

Persons with disabilities (PWD) comprise 15% of the total population in Pakistan, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Families normally hide disability due to the social stigma attached. Parents also fear their child might be abused outside. Children are kept at home to ensure safety. Families want to avoid community reactions. So data collection is difficult. Perhaps that is why the Pakistani authorities give a lower figure.