Agricultural development in developing countries has not lead to significant improvements in the consumption and nutrition of poor people. One reason is that, in the design of policy and projects, consumption objectives have not been incorporated explicitly. Far greater understanding is required of the way rural people plan their strategies for obtaining household food; external assistance should build on these activities rather than undermine them. This has often occurred in the past. Five aspects of agricultural policy are considered which, if incorporated into planning and implemented, should lead to improvements in food consumption and nutrition. These are: first, a review of the way in which export crops should be introduced and promoted so that food security is not adversely affected; second, a discussion of the need to give greater attention to what are known as "minor" crops; third, a discussion of the importance of incorporating seasonality into planning; fourth, a review of the importance of women; and fifth, an examination of the ways in which crop breeding research should involve nutritional concerns. The paper concludes with some observations from Kenya whereby agricultural sector planning could incorporate nutritional objectives.

Africa↗

PubMed1985

Cropping systems and household food security: evidence from three West African countries.

The following four articles describe several aspects of the complex yet basic processes of food production and consumption in African settings. Three elements in the picture stand out as subjects of current research and development action: traditional food crops, seasonality and women's activities. It is important that specialists enhance their understanding of those processes and the dynamic interrelations among particular elements, in the interests of improved nutrition and rural development.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1983

Agricultural production and food consumption: some neglected linkages.

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Agriculture↗

PubMed1979

Seasonal dimensions to rural porverty: analysis and practical implications.

This paper reports on a conference on seasonal dimensions to rural poverty. Presentations included specialised papers on climate, energy balance, vital events, individual tropical diseases, nutrition, rural economy, and women, and also multi-disciplinary case studies of tropical rural areas from the Gambia, Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Tanzania, India and Bangladesh. While care is needed in generalising, the evidence suggested that for agriculturalists in the tropics, the worst times of year are the wet seasons, typically marked by a concurrence of food shortages, high demands for agricultural work, high exposure to infection especially diarrhoeas, malaria, and skin diseases, loss of body weight, low birth weights, high neonatal mortality, poor child care, malnutrition, sickness and indebtedness. In this season, poor and weak people, especially women, are vulnerable to deprivation and to becoming poorer and weaker. Seasonal analysis is easily left out in rural planning. When applied, it suggests priorities in research, and indicates practical policy measures for health, for the family, for agriculture, and for government planning and administration.

Agriculture↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Down in the mouth.

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Clinical Competence↗