Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

This member contributed to:

    • I present hereunder a case study (our experience) “Iron‑Enriched Fish Powder Improved Haemoglobin Levels in Adolescent Girls of West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, India” carried out by Asha Kurukkan Kunnath, Suseela Mathew, Mukteswar Prasad Mothadaka and Ravishankar Chandragiri Nagaraja Rao, published in Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 2017–2024 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02820-0.

      The efficacy of sodium iron EDTA (NaFeEDTA) salt-enriched fish powder in addressing iron deficiency in adolescent anaemic girls was assessed in a 60-day randomised double-blinded, controlled intervention trial involving 123 girls age ranging from 10 to 19 years in three villages of West Jaintia Hills District of State of Meghalaya in India using soup made out of sodium iron EDTA (NaFeEDTA)-enriched fish powder (250 mg/100 g). The influence of the iron-enriched powder on blood haemoglobin levels and serum iron was determined. The work also analysed the food consumed by the subjects during the study period and it was found that there were no significant differences between the iron-enriched and control groups. The results indicated that the girls predominantly consumed cereals with little fruits, vegetables and meat. On an average, 100 ml of soup prepared out of 10 g of fish powder per day was consumed that theoretically provided about 25 mg of iron each day. Following intervention, all the participants in the group that consumed soup made out of NaFeEDTA-enriched fish powder had significantly higher haemoglobin levels and serum iron and a lower prevalence of anaemia than the control group. The effects of NaFeEDTA salt-enriched fish powder were statistically significant and it can be inferred that NaFeEDTA-enriched fish powder was highly effective in controlling iron deficiency and reducing the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia among the adolescent girls

       From right to food perspective the major impediment is lack and access to nutritive food especially in hinterland areas. For instance, the low cost fish available in coastal areas, but the transportation from these areas (West Coast of India) to North Eastern states makes the cost prohibitive due to 1. Long distance transportation 2. Perishable nature of fish 3. Availability (supply) of fish on continuous basis for the reasons of dwindling catches in natural marine sources, impact of climate changes on fish resources, increase in expenditures harvesting efforts in turn increase in cost of fish. COVID-19 played a significant role as in post COVID period cost of all food items increased significantly

      One of the best ways to improve the right to food condition is 1. Employment of rural and low cost technological interventions in storing glut production of various foods and development value added products to suit local needs. This can result in minimizing the staggering losses, enhanced utilization  and availability food in off seasons.

       Concerted efforts are in need to make sure the food is acceptable to the needy   

      See the attachments:

    • The needs of small Scale fishers have been identified. One of the best ways to improve socio-economic condition is financial literacy especially among women fishers. A structured condition will cater to the needs of all aspects that includes poverty and hunger. 

      The finest example of empathy among women fishers is "Godavari Maha samakhya" is the group that caters to the needs so many families by collecting fistful of rice from each household of near 20,000 families, pooled and distributed to the needy families. This is in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh state,  India. 

      Other details provided in the attached file.

       For all purposes, the plans of action needs to be categorized  into Short term, medium and long term kind. To reach SDG by 2030 that included poverty alleviation and meeting hunger demands only mode left is blitzkrieg.   

        

       

      See the attachments:

    • We are focusing more on climate resilient technologies, which is good and definitely will give results.  However, to reach the target in unit time (for instance SDG by 2030) and unit space the technological interventions need to be disruptive or climate managing kind.

    • The observations and comments therein are based on my experience with a hope they will of some use.

      Do you find the proposed scope comprehensive to analyze and discuss the key issues concerning the role of urban and peri-urban food systems in achieving food security and nutrition? Are there any major gaps or omissions?

      Not many. Gaps will surface during Pragmatization.

      1.Food loss and waste prevention to a larger extent is important for betterment of urban and per-urban food systems.

      2. MNCs and other foundations can divert their funds intended for charity to purchase foods that go waste

      3. In view of the space constraint Vertical Expansion of Food Production is more feasible to meet location specific demands.

      Share good practices and successful experiences on strengthening urban and peri-urban food systems in the context of urbanization and rural transformation, including in the case of emergencies or conflicts?

      The White Spot Disease in Tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) resulted in devastating losses to the aquaculture industry. All the aquaculturists switched on to Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Details of highly successful case study provided below.   

      Introduction of new shrimp species Litopenaeus vannamei has brought a sea change in Indian shrimp production and processing industry. Andhra Pradesh is a leading state in cultured shrimp production and the present study investigates the changing trends in cultured shrimp production and its impact on seafood processing of the State. Results of the study showed that 83.6% of the cultured shrimp production in Andhra Pradesh was attributed to L. vannamei. With the increase in production, structural changes became pre-requisite for seafood processing firms and they have incorporated changes such as establishment of additional plants, increasing the capacity utilization of existing plants and installation of more efficient equipment. There was an increase of 37.12% in installed capacity and 53.1% increase in capacity utilization of shrimp processing plants due to increased shrimp production. Spill-over effects were visible; employment opportunities and income of the employees increased. Strict implementation of scientific farming techniques and quality management are vital to sustain growth of the industry (Ashok, A.,  et al, 2015)

      Ref: Arathy Ashok, L. N. Murthy, B. Madhusudana Rao, Jesmi Debbarma, M. M. Prasad1, V. Geetha Lakshmi and Nikita Gopal (2015). Impact of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) on Shrimp Production and Seafood Processing in Andhra Pradesh. Fishery Technology 52: 53 – 57.

      Based on the experience in-puts were provided for each query

      1. What are the main bottlenecks hampering the contribution of urban and peri-urban food systems to food security and nutrition?

      i. Continuous increase in urban population.

      ii. Migratory nature of population of intra-country and inter-country

      1. How can urban and peri-urban food systems be transformed and made more equitable and accessible both for food system actors and in terms of food security and nutrition outcomes?

      1. Better transportation, especially for perishable food produce

      2. Development of innovative value added products from glut produce. This caters to the urban nutritive requirements and also improvement in socio-economic conditions of the primary producers.

      1. How can urban food supply chains, formal and informal, local and global, be made more resilient to ensure food security and nutrition within urban settings?

      1. Incentvize all the players to ensure quality from farm to fork

      2. Development quality guidelines for all miscellaneous products.

      1. What changes are needed in urban planning to better support all dimensions of food security – including support for human rights, agency and sustainability? Which are some of the measures that can strengthen the agency of local actors in urban and peri-urban food systems? 

      1. Provide sufficient space for sale of produce

      2. Hand holding of Small players  in Business, Planning and Development

      3. Making all transactions virtual. 

       

      1. How can national and municipal governments strengthen the potential for low-carbon, inclusive, relatively self-sufficient and resilient cities and towns to drive improved food security and nutrition in the wake of climate change and other crises?

      1. Enhancement in application of solar energy

      2. Transportation  by electrical vehicles

      1. What are the most appropriate policies (and gaps in existing policies) along the rural-urban continuum to address issues of land tenure, urban expansion into farmland and the growing competition for natural resources?

      1. Absence of guidelines.

      2. Implementation of existing policies.

      1. How can urban and peri-urban food systems ensure that food and nutrition needs of specific groups of people, such as migrants, the internally-displaced, children, adolescent, etc., are met?

      This is very good question. All the times world over efforts are centered on enhanced level of food production and nutritive values of the same but not satiates of ethnic or migrant populations. This is not a major problem for South Asia that harbors one fifth of world population as food habits of habitants are more or less same. However, satiety needs can be met with imitation products.

      1. What are the potential benefits and challenges of territorial markets for strengthening food security and nutrition for urban populations?

      1. Over all development in economy, GDP are immediate benefits

      2.If we concentrate on population per se big players get benefit and if it is territorial markets small scale businesses develop.

      1. In what ways can the incorporation of climate resilient agricultural and circular economy practices in urban and peri-urban agriculture provide climate co-benefits for all and enhance climate resilience?

      1. Reduction in poverty levels.

      2. Generation of sustainable income.

      3. Enhancement in wellbeing of humans. This in turn better health and lessening of DALY, improved QALY and ILY. Enhanced levels of productivity. Less burden on exchequer of respective nations in managing infections

      1. How can citizens be engaged and empowered to drive inclusive, transparent, participatory processes for urban transformations, ensuring synergies and complementarity with city councils?

      As mentioned earlier making everything, virtual with simplest possible local language .   

      1. Which experiences of urban communities to increase access to fresh food and healthy diets can inspire broader public policies?

      1. Reduction in lifestyle diseases.

       

    • Few observations that can impact FS

      1.Urbanization is resulting in reduction in land available for cultivation.

      2. Continuous enhancement in population to asking more land for development

      3. Vertical expansion in urban development can decrease encroachment of land intended for agriculture.

      4. Extraordinary enhancement land prices making farmers abandon agriculture which is less profitable in nature for so many factors that influence production namely 1. Water scarcity 2. Climate changes 3. Fluctuating prices 4. Lack of sustainable financial resources. These issues needs special attention for betterment of FS

      5.Use of AI in accurate weather forecasting and dissemination of outcome to agri-farmers, aquaculturists and animal husbandry wherever farming takes place, irrespective of large and small scale levels. 

      One of the major barriers is absence of Financial Literacy among marginal farmers, especially women across all sectors of agriculture, animal husbandry and aquaculture.

      The absence of Financial Literacy felt in different ways.

      1.  Management of glut production 

      2.  Obtaining and repayment of loans

      3. Managing variable sources of income

      Three important factors that influence / that are needed for sustainable FS included

      1.Employment of AI system

      2. Financial literacy

      3. Development  and introduction of weather doctoring technologies

      Successful Scientific case study

      Iron-Enriched Fish Powder Improved Haemoglobin Levels in Adolescent Girls of West Jaintia Hills District of Meghalaya, India (2002). Asha Kurukkan Kunnath, Suseela Mathew, Mukteswar Prasad Mothadaka, Ravishankar Chandragiri Nagaraja Rao. Biological trace element research 2022 v.200 no.5 pp. 2017-2024.

      Premises:

      1. One of the extremely serious health implications, especially in adolescent girls and expectant mothers is low levels of haemoglobins. Despite so many attempts the problem is not solved completely.

      2. During fishing operations (marine) significant quantities of unwanted and very low priced fish gets into fishing nets. These fish catches left outside fishing harbours are sources of pollution and when in degradation spread diseases too. At times these catches are used as poultry feed purposes. One of the best methods of utilization is making these catches into powered form that could be preserved for longer periods of time when prepared in hygienic conditions by scientific methods. These powered fish can be used in various value added products that included soup to meet protein requirements of people living in hinterland regions, who are undernourished and are economically underprivileged to afford expensive food items.

      The study

      This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of sodium iron EDTA (NaFeEDTA) salt-enriched fish powder in addressing iron deficiency in adolescent anaemic girls. This was a 60-day randomised double-blinded, controlled intervention trial involving 123 girls age ranging from 10 to 19 years in three villages of West Jaintia Hills District of State of Meghalaya in India using soup made out of sodium iron EDTA (NaFeEDTA)-enriched fish powder (250 mg/100 g). The influence of the iron-enriched powder on blood haemoglobin levels and serum iron was determined. The research also analysed the food consumed by the study subjects during the study period and it was found that there were no significant differences between the iron-enriched and control groups. The results indicated that the girls predominantly consumed cereals with little fruits, vegetables and meat. On an average, 100 ml of soup prepared out of 10 g of fish powder per day was consumed that theoretically provided about 25 mg of iron each day. Following intervention, all the participants in the group that consumed soup made out of NaFeEDTA-enriched fish powder had significantly higher haemoglobin levels and serum iron and a lower prevalence of anaemia than the control group. The effects of NaFeEDTA salt-enriched fish powder were statistically significant and it can be inferred that NaFeEDTA-enriched fish powder was highly effective in controlling iron deficiency and reducing the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia among the adolescent girls

    • Suggestion included:

      1. More interactions between scientists and policy makers (preferably with technological back ground (technocrats) for gauzing the needs precisely and acccurately).
      2. Region specific developments based on local needs.
      3. Quick Transfer of technologies and field assessments.
      4. Preference to be given in development of  rural  technologies sans depending on electric and fossil fuels for operation so as to save environment on long term basis and also to generate rural employment and for constructive engagement of human resources. 
      5. This year is  IYM-2023 (International Year of Millets): All programs need to be in “Blitzkrieg Mode”, then only we can get substantial outcome.
      6. Introduction of More Producer Centric Policies: Producer (farmer/aquaculturists/fishers) centric policies need to be enhanced. World over the marginal land owners are more in number and are extremely vulnerable to vagaries of nature (extremities of climate change that included cyclones, floods, droughts etc.), socio-economic conditions, conflicts as they are occurring in different parts of the world and wars of trade. These are known facts. Major hindrance here is the overall development in terms of enhanced levels of food production will be marginal. This can be a major problem to meet food demands in coming years of possible increase of population to 10 billion by 2050. In my observation cooperative farming paid good dividends among marginal farmers. This needs to be promted.
      7. Food and Nutritional security demands need to be met by all means. Especially of hinterland residents of all under developed nations is need of the hour for the reason they are going play a major role in service sectors with continuously increasing aged population in developed countries.

      Background to the issue

      I provide here under a case study of  "HUDHUD a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS) that hit the east coast at Vishakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh State, India  on 12th  Oct, 2014.  Despite the fact that the cyclone  was not the most severe cyclone that hit the Indian coast, however, it had the most devastating impact  during the landfall. I was in the city next to coast (few hundred meters away).

      In post cyclone  conditions 1. Emergency meetings were held.2. Loss assessments were made 3. Reports were published. 

        A paper was published by me on how to mitigate measures of cyclone that included, short, mid and long term kind  (Reference: Prasad, MM (2014). HUDHUD, A case study. In the background of Tropical cyclones (TC) in the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and their impact on fisheries. Fishing Chimes 34(7):16-20)

      One of the simplest solutions I suggested was to raise casuarina plantation of of 150 meters width all along the coast. We can not stop cyclones but we can predict  the landfall and can reduce the tidal surge  if we have sufficient plantations.

      The implementation did not take place and  possible reasons include:

      1. Extreme Cyclone occurrenace is not regular phenomena.
      2. Lack for sufficient funds and allocations therein.
      3. Different priorities.
      4. Change in policy makers and
      5. Changes in policies it self for various reasons  such as COVID-19 etc. 

      At the same time, it need to stressed that after Hud Hud significant developments took place from all walks of life that included important contributions policy makers and implementation  to such an extent  that Viskhapatnam reverted back to full fledged commercial and other activities in few months time.