Livestock in Ethiopia has an important economic, functional, and cultural significance. However, overgrazing is a major contributor to soil degradation in Africa, with serious negative consequences for the long-term food security of the continent. This paper identifies the broad-reaching policy … Read more
Opportunities to Use Procurements to Create Nutrition-Sensitive Development Projects
Despite the recent emergence of policy frameworks designed to facilitate the integration and expansion of nutrition interventions in the developing world, U.S.-funded nutrition programs continue to be less efficient, effective and economical than they could be. This paper discusses how … Read more
Policies for Effective Development: Rethinking the Role of NGOs in Haiti
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) have a crucial role to play in the development of Haiti. NGOs deliver much-needed services to the population, including health care, education, food assistance and microfinance. But while the work of NGOs has undoubtedly provided relief and … Read more
Policies for Government Ownership: Shifting the Balance in School Feeding Programs
The UN World Food Program is working to transfer responsibility for funding and implementing the school feeding programs it established to national governments. This is a complex and challenging process for countries that have never had a school feeding program … Read more
Not Just Building Houses: Reforming the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) Housing Policy in South African Cities to Move Beyond Shelter Provision and Towards the Creation of Food Secure and Sustainable Urban Settlements
This paper offers policy recommendations for reforming the South African RDP Housing policy to shift away from a mindset focused on delivery of numbers (the construction of as many houses possible in the shortest amount of time), and towards actions … Read more
Effective Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture for Secure Household Nutrition
Gender and “gender mainstreaming” have become buzzwords around food and nutrition security initiatives in recent years. However the true meaning of gender mainstreaming and the policy framework that must be in place to ensure equal benefit to women and men … Read more
Adapting Food-based Strategies to Improve the Nutrition of the Landless
Food-based approaches that focus on dietary diversification are effective strategies for reducing micro- and macro-nutrient deficiencies in malnourished populations. However, this model has not yet been fully adapted to improve the lives of those who live in land constrained households. … Read more
Spice Up the Deal in Maluku: A Discussion of the Nutmeg Sector in the Maluku Province of Indonesia
While Indonesia and the Maluku province enjoy a strong position in the nutmeg market, the industry faces many constraints that result in Indonesia’s nutmeg sector under-performing relative to its potential. This paper argues that adoption of a new set of … Read more
Hungry for Change: Holding USDA McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Accountable for Commitments to Monitoring and Evaluation
This paper analyzes the efforts the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Assistance Division has made to institutionalize rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and Food for Progress programs. It identifies several … Read more
Local and Regional Procurement: A Case Study of Mercy Corps’ Programming in Haiti, Kyrgyzstan, and Niger
This paper discusses the findings from recent reviews of local and regional purchase (LRP) food aid projects implemented by Mercy Corps in five countries, with emphasis on time, cost and effectiveness. It then makes recommendations for funding and implementation of … Read more
IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY BY LINKING GENEBANKS TO FARMERS THROUGH THE DIRECT RELEASE OF TARGETED LANDRACE VARIETIES
Linking genebanks (i.e. cold storage repositories for seed varieties) with farmers through direct release of targeted landrace varieties (i.e. traditional farmer-bred varieties) can catalyze an increase in productivity and food security in the vulnerable populations inhabiting the marginal arid regions … Read more
Policies for Successful U.S. Foreign Aid in the Gaza Strip
Restrictions by the Israeli government and Hamas on beneficiaries’ livelihoods in Gaza are decreasing the long-term impact of US foreign assistance. A close look at humanitarian operations in Gaza shows that the Israeli government and Hamas have cut or are … Read more