Chapter I


Chapter 1: Food Security: the Conceptual Framework

OBJECTIVES

By the end of this chapter, participants will:

1. have an understanding of the different concepts of food security and when to apply
 them;

2. be aware of the links between food security and other major development issues in the
 world today;

3. understand the role of increasing food production in achieving food security;

4. know the major trends in the national and international food economy.


TOPICS ACTIVITIES
1. Concepts of Food Security 1. Identification of Vulnerable Groups

2. Recent Trends in the World Food
 Economy

 3. Food Security and Major Development
 Objectives

 4. The Role of Increasing Food 2. Food Crops vs. Cash Crops: Exercise
 Production in Achieving Food
 Security

 REFERENCES

 FAO, World Food Summit papers on relevant issues (please see References)
 FAO, Committee on World Food Security, Assessment of the Current World Food Situation
 and Recent Policy Developments, March 1994.
 FAO, Food, Agriculture and Food Security: The Global Dimension, World Food Summit
 paper, 1996.
 IFPRI, Improving Food Security of the Poor, sections 1-4, 1992.
 S.Maxwell & M.Smith, Household Food Security: A Conceptual Review, IDS, 1992.
 S.Maxwell & A.Fernando, Cash Crops in Developing Countries: The Issues, the Facts,
 the Policies, World Development, Vol.17, No. 11, 1989.