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Sept. 24, 2024

from the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development

JAFSCD is the world’s only community-supported journal. JAFSCD content is open access (free) thanks to the generous support of our shareholders: the JAFSCD Shareholder Consortium, Library Shareholders, a growing number of Individual Shareholders, and our six JAFSCD Partners:

Feeding Nigeria’s future: Unraveling the complexities of food insecurity

JAFSCD commentary by Oyinbolaji A. Ajetunmobi (U of Lagos, Nigeria)

In a new commentary published in JAFSCD, Socio-economic impact of food insecurity on vulnerable population in Nigeria, author Oyinbolaji Ajetunmobi delves into the intricate dynamics of food insecurity in Nigeria. Nigeria grapples with significant food insecurity, particularly among its impoverished populace. Tackling this multifaceted issue, the commentary explores its socio-economic dimensions, impacts on vulnerable populations, and the government's response.

The term "food security" has evolved significantly over the past three decades, reflecting changing global understandings and perspectives. Initially defined in the mid-1970s, it encompasses food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability at both national and international levels.

Global factors such as fluctuating food prices, exacerbated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, have added to Nigeria's challenges. With approximately 63% of the population living in multidimensional poverty, the issue is dire, especially in rural areas where 72% experience poverty. Vulnerable groups like children, women, and the elderly are disproportionately affected, facing not just hunger but also adverse health outcomes, increased poverty, and even political instability.

Addressing food insecurity in Nigeria demands a multifaceted approach. Immediate relief measures are crucial, including targeted income support programs, employment opportunities, and social safety nets like food assistance programs. However, long-term solutions are equally vital, focusing on enhancing agricultural productivity, improving rural infrastructure, promoting economic diversification, and strengthening policy coordination.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE

While the Nigerian government has implemented various initiatives like the Agricultural Transformation Agenda and the Anchor Borrowers' Program, the effectiveness of these efforts varies. To ensure lasting solutions, forward-looking strategies such as climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable farming practices must be prioritized. Additionally, robust data collection and monitoring systems are essential for informed decision-making and effective policy implementation.

Combating food insecurity in Nigeria requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses immediate needs while tackling underlying systemic issues. Prioritizing food security as a national imperative and implementing recommended measures, Nigeria can move toward a more resilient and equitable food system, ensuring the well-being of all its citizens.

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Struggling with food insecurity is a daily reality for millions in Nigeria, especially vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. Why? Dive into the complex web of factors affecting food access and stability in this eye-opening post. But solutions are within reach! From boosting agricultural productivity to expanding social safety nets, there's hope for a brighter, more food-secure future.

#FoodSecurity #Nigeria #SocioEconomics #PolicyResponse #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment

Read the @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.134.010

Photo above: Nigeria women involved in agriculture include these women from the northern part of the country in a field of maize. Photo by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license.

Doing more good: Why regeneration is putting sustainability in the rear-view mirror

JAFSCD peer-reviewed article by Alayna Paolini, Iqbal Bhalla (both at U  of Guelph), and Philip A. Loring (The Nature Conservancy)

The concept of regeneration is rapidly gaining traction across an array of disciplines, from agriculture and engineering to business and social sciences. In a new article in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD), "Doing more good": Exploring the multidisciplinary landscape of regeneration as a boundary concept for paradigm change, Paolini et al. explore the multidisciplinary landscape of regeneration and how it improves upon sustainability as commonly understood.

The authors make the case that as more than just a buzzword, regeneration has emerged as a central concept in an ongoing cultural shift in how we think about design and our relationship with the natural world—from doing less harm to doing more good. The paper traces regeneration's journey from its literal origins in biology and engineering to its metaphorical applications in areas such as regenerative agriculture and economics, and highlight this flexibility as one of its greatest strengths.

KEY FINDINGS

• A Boundary Concept: As a boundary concept, regeneration can adapt and resonate across diverse domains while maintaining a set of core principle.
• Generativity: At the heart of regeneration is generativity—giving back more than what is taken and fostering reciprocity to co-create a thriving world for all.
• Interdisciplinary Dialogue: Regeneration facilitates interdisciplinary conversations and place-based solutions.
• Risks of Greenwashing: There are numerous examples of the misuse of regeneration by businesses and others for greenwashing purposes.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY, PRACTICE, AND RESEARCH

• Treaties Before Standards: The place-based nature of regeneration makes standardization difficult and potentially unwise. Social agreements like treaties or covenants are an alternative way to ensure and promote the core values of regeneration, such as generativity, diversity, and care.
• Guard Against Greenwashing: Implement measures to prevent the misappropriation of regeneration by ensuring genuine commitment to its principles.
• Promote Place-Based Solutions: Support localized and context-specific applications of regeneration to address unique socio-ecological challenges.
• Expand Research on Regenerative Systems: Encourage further exploration and documentation of regenerative practices across various sectors to build a robust foundation of knowledge.

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Are we ready to move beyond sustainability and toward a regenerative future? A new article in JAFSCD explores how the concept of regeneration is transforming diverse fields and leading to a rethinking of humanity's relationship with the environment. Dive into the multidisciplinary landscape of regeneration and discover how it can drive real, positive change. #sustainability #regeneration

Read the @JAFSCD article for free: https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2024.134.011

Photo above: The "hard" edge of Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. Photo by Flickr member Neil Franklin and used under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license.

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10th Annual Rich Earth Summit

November 12–14, 2024
Hybrid: Virtual (Zoom) & In-Person (Brattleboro, Vermont, USA)

The Rich Earth Summit, hosted by Rich Earth Institute, is a global event dedicated to advancing urine reclamation to create sustainable and just nutrient cycles. This gathering brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to share knowledge and foster collaboration.

Join us at the 10th annual Summit, November 12–14, 2024 — a golden opportunity to explore the transformative power of peecycling. Together, we can pee the change!

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