Chapter 5


to gain access to the food they need on their own, or of direct food transfers to vulnerable
groups. Table 5.3 presents an overview of the main types of targeted interventions for
enhancing food security at household level, the relevant target groups, and the expected
outcome on the factors determining household food entitlement.


Table 5.3: Targeted policy interventions to improve access to food an overview


 Type of interventions Target groups Expected outcome on factors
 determining access to food

1. Targeted asset distribution Small farmers, Increased agricultural income =
 and production support, e.g. (Semi-)subsistence farmers, purchasing power = increased
 Land (tenure) reform Tenant farmers, household food demand
 Technology, water Increased household food
 Input subsidies supplies
 Poor (sub-) urban dwellers from subsistence production
 from home gardening


2. Public works programmes Rural landless, Increased cash income = pur-
 Income generation schemes Rural and urban poor, un- and chasing power = increased
 under-employed household food demand;
 Food-for-work (FFW) pro- Increased income in kind of food
 grammes = increased h.hold food
 supplies


3. Targeted food subsidies, e.g. Urban ppor Increased real income due to
 Food stamps Rural poor lower food prices = purchasing
 Fair price shops Specific vulnerable groups power = increased household
 Subsidies for inferior (see below) food demand
 goods
 Geographic targeting


4. Direct food transfers, e.g. Specific vulnerable groups, e.g. Increased individual and/or
 Relief assistance Disaster affected people, household food supplies
 Special/supplementary Female headed households through direct food transfers
 feeding programmes Underweight children
 Wet feeding (Pre-)school children
 Pregnant & lactating women
 Elderly and sick persons


 Fig. 5.6 traces the impact of targeted interventions on the major elements of the food chain
 and on the factors determining access to food and household food security.


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