Food and Nutrition Security in Small Island Developing States

J.R. Deep Ford, Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, FAO

3 September 13-14:30 Faleata Sport Complex , Room CM5

Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) in SIDS

• FNS Challenges• FAO’s FNS Programs

REGIONS NR OFCOUNTRIES

LAND AREA(KM2 000)

GNI X CAPITA ATLAS METHOD

(current US$)POPULATION GDP (CURRENT

US$ BILLION)GDP GROWTH(ANNUAL %)

AGRICULTURE,VALUE ADDED

(% of GDP)

AGRICULTURE VALUE ADDED

(ANNUAL % GROWTH)

CARIBBEAN 16 587.2 $8,806.9 38,989,531 $203,964.6 2.0 6.7 2.3

PACIFIC 14 516.73 $5,615 10,900 $40,756.00 2.89 14.65 1.4

INDIAN OCEAN 4 4.7 $7,077.5 2,465,416 $16,163.6 3.5 3.2 1.9

ATLANTIC 3 33.1 $1,873.3 2,396,145 $3,057.5 1.6 n/a n/a

OTHER(Bahrain) 1 0.8 $36,140.0 1,332,171 $32,788.1 5.5 n/a n/a

SIDS have four subregions with a total population of 55 million persons. The Caribbean accounts for about 70% of SIDS population and 80% of its GDP. On the basis of the GNI per capita, it is considered a relatively more prosperous sub-region than the other three. Agriculture contributes twice as much to the GDP in the Pacific as opposed to Caribbean SIDS.

Context

Source: World Bank, 2012/2013

Prevalence of undernourishment (%) in SIDS18 out of the 29 SIDS for which we have the data do not meet the MDG goal of eradicating hunger when based on the indicator of achieving a level of undernourishment less than 5%.

Population below poverty line (%)

In 25 of the 36 SIDS for which we have poverty level data the rate is higher than 20%. 11 of those 25 countries have rates higher than 30%.

Per capita total expenditure on health (PPP int. $)

In the last twenty years per capita expenditure on health has increased by more than 50% in the Pacific, more than 80% in the Caribbean.

Source: WHO

ATLANTIC

OTHER

INDIAN OCEAN

PACIFIC

CARIBBEAN

$291 $841$1,039

$4,702$6,962$377 $971

$2,808

$7,162

$12,805

1995 2012

Obesity in SIDS, Male & Female >15 years oldIn all subregions obesity is more a challenge among females. In 10 of the 14 Pacific countries more than 30% of the females are overweight. In the Caribbean in 8 of the 16 countries 30% of the females are overweight. . In 8 of the 14 Pacific countries more than 30% of the males are also overweight.

Source: WHO 2010

Food Import Dependence Ratio in SIDS in 1990-2011

SIDS have increasingly imported a greater proportion of their food consumption and the fastest category of imported foods is processed foods. The move away from local healthier foods has health and economic consequences.

Impact of Natural Disasters on Economy

Natural disasters and climate change impacts are an increasing challenge to food security, especially in terms of how they negatively affect production capacity, livelihoods, economic growth and national budgets.

Total Economic Damage by Natural Disasters ($US ‘000)

2004-2013

1994-2003

$21,017,484

$6,891,835

$598,026

$267,028

$514,400

$362,100 INDIAN OCEAN PACIFIC CARIBBEANSource: EM-DAT, International D

isaster Database

First Major Issue and FAO’s Response in SIDS

ISSUE 1: FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY (FNS)

• Regional and National Food and Nutrition Strategies • Zero Hunger Challenge Initiatives – comprehensive, social protection• School Feeding Programs and Food Based Dietary Guidelines • Public Policy (local product purchases, food losses)• Improved and Integrated FNS Governance – Political Commitment

Second Major Issue and FAO’s Response in SIDS

ISSUE 2: POVERTY, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, HIGH FOOD IMPORT BILL

• Ag. Revitalization - Value Chains and Family Farming (triennial agricultural recovery program, cassava, small ruminants, aquaculture)

• Technology Promotion /Adoption - Scaling Up, Productivity Increases• Targeted Products and Phased Plans - Food Import Bill and Tourism• Enterprise Development and Inclusion, Youth Employment• Public and Private Sector Investment, Trade (Intraregional- LAC)

Third Major Issue and FAO’s Response in SIDS

ISSUE 3. DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

• Early Warning Systems and Resilience Building (Food Prices)• Climate change adaptation and DRM (drought resistant crops)• Sustainable land and water management (rainwater harvesting

efficient water use technologies, land degradation assessments)

• Integrated Watershed Management(agroforestry)

FAO Enabling and Supporting National Efforts

• Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods• Agricultural Industry development• Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction• Public Policy and Governance

2012 – 2013 Biennium

Caribbean US$ 27 121 000Pacific US$ 8 180 000AIMS US$ 5 486 000

Let’s strengthen our Partnerships

Thanks for your attention