Global forum on food security and nutrition

Rengalakshmi Raj, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, India

Dear FSN Forum,

I would like to share a specific example with reference to dietary diversity, women's engagement in agricultural and ecosystem services. This is the most crucial issue in rural areas due to changes in the land use systems and practices.

Most commonly, the changes in cropping systems as well as species growing in the common land affects their dietary diversity. In one of our field sites we observed that intake of wild greens was drastically reduced due to the changes in crops from millet species to cassava in agricultural fields and invasive growth of Lantana species in common areas which reduced the growth of such wild greens. Consequently the knowledge associated with the species, nutritional benefits and use among families declined over the last 5- 7 years among men and women. Earlier both men and women farmers were aware of the edible species and men supported in their collection while returning from the field (intake is at least five days in a week). Now the communities entirely depend upon other vegetables which are commonly available in markets. Intake rates of greens reduced to a large extent. This issue came up when we evaluated the outcomes/impacts of nutritional gardens. These insights and understanding helped the team to realign and revisit the interventions; document and share the gendered knowledge on wild green species; explore the possibility of its cultivation in the home gardens and field bunds; manage invasive species involving local PRIs; and create awareness among younger generations on local species and their importance. Identifying such nuanced field level issues and evolving strategies to address them would help to strengthen the linkages in rural areas.

Regards

Rengalakshmi

Bibhu Prasad Mohanty, Climate Smart Technologies Associates, India

I have a suggestion.

When we discuss about nutritive materials for women, children, sick persons and old age people we have to take a few points into consideration. Persons those who required nutritive material in food must have the capacity of absorbing those in their system. For example those women who cook with traditional biomass stove regularly they suffer from several ailments and physical weaknesses. Around 600000 women die every year in India from influence of smoke from biomass stove. In this condition it is well understood how would be the condition of other women with traditional stoves. In this condition absorption of nutritive stuff requires induction of improved efficient stoves along with supply or making real availability of nutritive stuff for them. Unless the women become free from health drudgery, we cannot expect women empowerment is possible.

Thanks with warm regards

Nitya Rao, facilitator of the discussion, School of International Development and LANSA, India

Thanks for sharing HKI's strategy of addressing malnutrition in Bangladesh. Nurturing Connections seems to be working well as it appears to address gender norms in a sensitive rather than confrontational way; at the same time aware of not overburdening women. This often seems to be the trade-off in attempts to empower women that we end up adding to their burdens.

Livestock and fisheries are clearly important sectors for women's engagement and income, but often marginalised in agricultural policies that focus primarily on cultivated crops. From a nutritional dimension, these are important sources of protein. It is quite shocking to hear about the poor nutrition amongst fishing communities in Pakistan, as one would assume that fish is a part of their diet. Thank you for raising these issues, as when talking of agriculture, and women's and men's roles within it, we need to keep in mind that this term includes livestock, fisheries and even forestry/agro-forestry.

Nigel Poole, facilitator of the discussion, University of London and LANSA, United Kingdom

It is good to have the role of women in livestock production in Afghanistan highlighted - a very welcome contribution. The pastoral economy poses particular challenges, but offers particular opportunities for women

Nigel Poole, facilitator of the discussion, University of London and LANSA, United Kingdom

Thanks to Muqeem Shah Miakheel for your contribution – perhaps we can work together to bring about the changes you propose for Afghanistan.

Regina Laub, FAO, Italy

Milk and dairy products are crucial for the daily food security and income generation of Afghan families, and women play an important role in the related activities. Since 2005, FAO is implementing the Integrated Dairy Schemes (IDS) Project, with financial support of the Afghan, German and Italian Governments and IFAD. The aim of the project is to improve food security in Afghanistan by supporting the national dairy sector. Since its inception, four milk processing plants have been set up in Herat, Kunduz, Mazar-i Sharif and Kabul: they are operating independently and successfully. Over 5 700 smallholder farm families, including 1 540 women, benefit on a daily basis from the regular “milk money”.

In 2014, FAO undertook a detailed assessment to investigate the in depth impact on rural Afghan women and their families of the project. The assessment identified lessons learned and actionable recommendations to inform the design and implementation of gender-sensitive and inclusive dairy programmes. This publication draws on the evidence gathered during the implementation of the Project on the multiple benefits on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Integrated Dairy Schemes (IDS) can be seen as a first stepping stone for a large number of rural women to start establishing a better place for themselves in the Afghan society.

Please find the link to the publication Empowering women in Afghanistan. Reducing gender gaps through Integrated Dairy Schemes www.fao.org/3/a-i4585e.pdf

Best regards

Regina Laub

Senior Gender Officer,

FAO Social Protection Division (ESP)