sufficiency. Chapter 2 looks at the various ways in which food consumption and nutritional
status can be measured, to give an estimate of the extent of food insecurity. This is
specifically written for an audience which has not previously been exposed to nutritional data.
Chapter 3 uses the concept of the food chain to outline the connections between the food
system and food security. Seasonal patterns in food security and changes in the food system
in response to stress are also examined, as is the structure and role of a food security
monitoring system.

Chapters 4 through 6 deal explicitly with the impact of economic policy on food security. In
Chapter 4, a model is developed to analyse the impact of changes in macro-economic policy
of the food system and food security. A number of technical annexes contain the relevant
theoretical material. The chapter traces through the impact, firstly of a devaluation and then of
other elements in an adjustment programme, on the food security of vulnerable groups. In
Chapter 5, possible domestic policy interventions to improve food security are explored.
These include demand and supply based approaches, and targeted interventions. Chapter 6
looks at international policy interventions, particularly food aid, and their potential role in
improving food security. The outcome of the World Food Summit is presented.

Each chapter contains "activities" and exercises linked to the material contained in the text.
for use in workshops and training courses.

The manual contains more material than is likely to be used at any individual course or
seminar. The authors estimate that satisfactory presentation of the full contents of the text.
along with practical sessions for the exercises, would require a period of about four weeks.
However, the material could be incorporated in training courses on topics such as food policy
analysis or the impact of structural adjustment. A course organiser would have to decide
which of the topics contained in the manual were most appropriate for the purposes of the
course, and use the manual accordingly. Many of the topics can stand alone, along with their
respective activities and exercises. In all cases, participants in the training courses should be
encouraged to read through the manual in their own time, to gain a broader perspective on the
issues contained. Additional reading material is identified at the beginning of each chapter.

In April 1996, FAO held an expert consultation in Rome on the first draft of the manual. This
was attended by FAO staff members, particularly with an interest in training, and academic
specialists in the area. The recommendations of this expert consultation provided a very
useful input into the subsequent revision of the manual. This was then field-tested in Turkey.
in October 1996, at an FAO Near East Regional Training Seminar on Food and Agricultural
Policy Analysis. This provided the authors with a first-hand opportunity to identify any
problems, particularly with the structure of the various activities. As a result of this, further
modifications were made to the text. It was clear from the field test that the exercises were
most effective when they were carried out with a specific country in mind, preferably the
country from which the participants came. This gave participants the opportunity to
operationalise the various concepts in a concrete way, and facilitated their understanding.