Agricultural commodity prices have been very volatile since the early 2000s, peaking in 2008, then declining sharply until 2010 before starting to rise again (i). In 2012, prices reached a new peak caused by a historic drought in the United States, but then remained low over 2015–2019, a period that also saw a restocking of inventories of soybean, wheat, and corn. In stark … [Read more...] about How the War between Russia and Ukraine Might Affect Your Dinner in Latin America and the Caribbean
Improving Food Security through Women’s Empowerment
Food security goes far beyond having enough food. Food security refers to "the situation that exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life" (FAO, 2006). That is, being able to access food of high nutritional quality regularly, … [Read more...] about Improving Food Security through Women’s Empowerment
Yes, we can!… Measure Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture!
When we talk about women’s empowerment, it is difficult to grasp what we actually mean. Does it refer to women’s attitude towards gender violence? Or does it mean women’s economic independence and decision-making power? Does it perhaps imply access to productive resources, education and other opportunities? Or might it mean control over time? Or does it concern all these … [Read more...] about Yes, we can!… Measure Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture!
Community irrigation with a watershed approach: a technological leap forward for sustainable agriculture in Bolivia
Irrigation plays a vital role in the productivity of the agricultural sector and food security stability. Access to irrigation increases agricultural production and productivity, allowing farmers to expand the number of planting and harvesting cycles on the same plot, within the same agricultural year. This increase in agricultural production translates into greater food … [Read more...] about Community irrigation with a watershed approach: a technological leap forward for sustainable agriculture in Bolivia
What Is the Role of Women in Food Security?
“If women in rural areas had the same access to productive activities as men, agricultural and farming production would increase and we could feed approximately 150 million more people.” (FAO, 2011). This demonstrates that the role of women is key in agricultural production and in food security. Women are the primary farmers and producers in a large part of the world; … [Read more...] about What Is the Role of Women in Food Security?