Universal Journal of Food Security

Conventional cyclone risk assessments in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) systematically fail to predict food system collapse locations, leading to misallocated adaptation investments. This study quantifies a fundamental exposure-impact disconnect across Vanuatu's 71 area councils: cyclone exposure explains only 14% of food security impact variance (R² = 0.14, r = 0.38), with topographic, agro-ecological, and infrastructure mediators determining the remaining... Conventional cyclone risk assessments in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) systematically fail to predict food system collapse locations, leading to misallocated adaptation investments. This study quantifies a fundamental exposure-impact disconnect across Vanuatu's 71 area councils: cyclone exposure explains only 14% of food security impact variance (R² = 0.14, r = 0.38), with topographic, agro-ecological, and infrastructure mediators determining the remaining 86%. Using data from five Category 4–5 cyclones (2015–2023), we constructed a Hazard Exposure Index (HEI; proximity 40%, intensity 35%, frequency 25%) and an Impact Severity Index (ISI; four equally weighted dimensions: agriculture, infrastructure, food insecurity, recovery). Regression with interaction terms reveals three mediating mechanisms. First, topographic elevation reduces ISI by 40–60% at highland area councils (>400 m) relative to coastal equivalents at comparable HEI (r = −0.54, p < 0.001). Second, crop diversity buffers medium-exposure zones (HEI 0.3–0.6; β = −0.082, p = 0.018) but provides no significant protection under extreme cyclone loading (HEI > 0.7), consistent with resilience theory stability thresholds. Third, infrastructure capacity generates "hidden hotspots": Torba province (low exposure, ISI = 0.34) required a median 18 days to reach 50% of affected households versus 6 days in Shefa (high exposure, ISI = 0.61) — a threefold differential driven solely by maritime connectivity deficits. High-exposure provinces with strong infrastructure systematically outperform low-exposure provinces with distribution network weaknesses. A Food Security Resilience Index (FSRe; range: 46–61 on a 0–100 scale) reveals stark provincial heterogeneity — Sanma as buffered regional hub (FSRe = 61) versus Tafea and Shefa as critical/fragile (FSRe 46–47) — enabling a four-category spatial typology for targeted adaptation investments under SIDS fiscal constraints. Findings demonstrate that spatially explicit integration of topography, agro-ecology, and infrastructure is essential for efficient climate adaptation planning in archipelago SIDS, with direct implications for Sendai Framework Target E national DRR strategy development and Green Climate Fund adaptation investment prioritization. Read more

Smallholder farmers play a pivotal role in global food security; however, they remain exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their reliance on natural resources and limited adaptive capacities. This narrative review synthesizes a wide range of global sources to explore the intersection of smallholder agriculture and climate adaptation strategies. The review examines adaptation practices, agroecological methods,... Smallholder farmers play a pivotal role in global food security; however, they remain exceptionally vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their reliance on natural resources and limited adaptive capacities. This narrative review synthesizes a wide range of global sources to explore the intersection of smallholder agriculture and climate adaptation strategies. The review examines adaptation practices, agroecological methods, and the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties. It reveals that the implementation of these strategies is frequently hindered by systemic barriers such as financial constraints, limited technological access, and institutional inefficiencies. Recognizing that previous studies have addressed isolated aspects of adaptation or relied on secondary data, this review highlights research gaps and offers a comprehensive synthesis of relevant literature. This review uses a narrative synthesis model suitable for integrating evidence from agronomy, economics, and social science to capture the complex challenges faced by smallholder farmers. The review emphasizes the importance of policy frameworks and participatory approaches that empower smallholder communities. This review synthesizes current evidence to inform potential directions for targeted interventions and future field-based studies, while recognizing the limitations of relying on secondary data. These recommendations aim to facilitate integrated policy reforms and drive research initiatives, ultimately strengthening the resilience and adaptability of smallholder agriculture in the face of ongoing climate change. Read more

Background: Food security and dietary diversity are essential determinants of maternal health, particularly among pregnant women in refugee populations who face heightened vulnerabilities due to displacement and inadequate living conditions. This study examines the impact of food security on dietary diversity and nutritional intake among pregnant Rohingya women residing in the makeshift camps of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Methods: A descriptive... Background: Food security and dietary diversity are essential determinants of maternal health, particularly among pregnant women in refugee populations who face heightened vulnerabilities due to displacement and inadequate living conditions. This study examines the impact of food security on dietary diversity and nutritional intake among pregnant Rohingya women residing in the makeshift camps of Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 96 pregnant Rohingya women from June to September 2022. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing socio-demographic characteristics, food security, and dietary diversity. Food security was evaluated using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), while dietary diversity was assessed through a 24-hour dietary recall and a 7-day food frequency questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 26) and Stata (Version 13), employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine associations. Results: Most participants (57.3%) were food secure, and 85.4% demonstrated high dietary diversity, consuming seven or more food groups. However, 21.9% of households experienced severe food insecurity, highlighting ongoing challenges in food access. The highest consumption was observed for starch, flesh foods, dark green leafy vegetables, and vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (99.0%), while dairy products (69.8%) and organ meat (34.4%) were consumed less frequently. Despite high dietary diversity, severe food insecurity persists, indicating gaps in food assistance programs. Conclusions: While food support programs appear to contribute to high dietary diversity among pregnant Rohingya women, severe food insecurity remains a significant concern. Strengthening food security interventions, improving access to diverse nutrient-rich foods, and integrating sustainable food assistance models are essential to addressing these challenges. Future research should explore long-term strategies to enhance food security and assess the impact of targeted nutritional interventions on maternal health outcomes in refugee settings. Read more

There is an ongoing debate regarding how to feed Sub-Saharan Africa's fast rising population in the long run, as well as the implications for food security. To maintain food security, various strategies have been recommended, including a focus on the significance of diversifying and improving people's diets. Proposals have been tabled elsewhere with a primary focus on enhancing agricultural inputs... There is an ongoing debate regarding how to feed Sub-Saharan Africa's fast rising population in the long run, as well as the implications for food security. To maintain food security, various strategies have been recommended, including a focus on the significance of diversifying and improving people's diets. Proposals have been tabled elsewhere with a primary focus on enhancing agricultural inputs and technology adoption in order to increase agricultural production and productivity, hence strengthening food security. The current opinion piece attempts to contribute to this debate by examining smallholder agriculture and its role to African food security. This discussion proposes a future paradigm shift toward a gendered climate-smart smallholder agriculture and food production and security conceptual framework based on the promotion and development of smallholder agriculture and food production and security. Therefore, it's predicated that the micro-livestock-centered approach can remodel smallholder agrarian households and communities toward a gender-inclusive global climate change adaptive smallholder agriculture to strengthen production, supply, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. For Africa, today’s predicament is to ensure food security for the anticipated rapid population expansion, while on the other hand handling an overall net adverse effect of worldwide global climate change, and increased socio-economic ills associated with gender inequality in smallholder agriculture and ensuring long-term agriculture sustainable development. The failure to address gender inequality in smallholder agriculture and food production and pontificate of global climate change effect has thrown Sub-Saharan Africa into a state of perpetual food scarcity and insecurity because of low agricultural productivity and food supply, and by force of circumstances exposing the agricultural communities and its people to extreme poverty and nutrition and food insecurity. Therefore, it's predicated that the micro-livestock-centered approach can remodel smallholder agrarian households and communities toward a gender-inclusive global climate change adaptive smallholder agriculture to strengthen production, supply, and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. For this purpose, this discussion proposes a future paradigm shift towards a gendered climate-smart smallholder agriculture and food production and security conceptual framework hinged on the promotion and development of the micro-livestock and/or unconventional animal species sub-sector to strengthen food security on the continent. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action to alleviate the negative effects of climate change and address gender inequality through promotion of micro livestock to assist in the development of long-term adaptation measures to maintain smallholder agricultural productivity. Read more

The study aimed at determination of the effect of intercropping maize and beans on the maize yields Isingiro Town Council, Isingiro District, South Western Uganda. The study used a randomized complete block (RCBD) experiment in which 8 treatments in 4 replicas of each to make a total of 32 sub-plots. Two rows of maize spaced at 4.5cm within rows and... The study aimed at determination of the effect of intercropping maize and beans on the maize yields Isingiro Town Council, Isingiro District, South Western Uganda. The study used a randomized complete block (RCBD) experiment in which 8 treatments in 4 replicas of each to make a total of 32 sub-plots. Two rows of maize spaced at 4.5cm within rows and 90cm between rows were intercropped with two rows of velvet beans spaced at 30cm with rows and 90cm between rows. Two rows of NABE16 spaced at 4.5cm within rows and 75cm between rows were intercropped with maize a pacing of 5.5cm within rows and 75cm between rows. Rows of beans were separated from those of maize by 75cm in a 10m by 8m sub-plot. The experiment was conducted in two seasons (March to May 2020 and August to November 2021). Standard agronomical practices were followed from planting to harvesting, after which dry maize grain weight was taken and recorded. Data analysis was done using ONE WAY ANOVA in STATA version 13. Results show that the significant statistical difference in season one (p = 0.0000)** was higher than that in season two (p = 0.0211)*. The study concluded that unpredictable (too much or too little) rainfall negatively affects maize productivity. Early planting and application of organic fertilizers were recommended to improve maize productivity. Read more

One of the current issues facing humanity is ensuring sustained global food security in the face of devastating effects of climate change; this challenge is particularly pressing on the African continent. Here, I present an opinion piece identifying local animal genetic resources as "African leverage point" that provide the highest chances to cushion rural fork to climate change, enhance environmental... One of the current issues facing humanity is ensuring sustained global food security in the face of devastating effects of climate change; this challenge is particularly pressing on the African continent. Here, I present an opinion piece identifying local animal genetic resources as "African leverage point" that provide the highest chances to cushion rural fork to climate change, enhance environmental sustainability and food security in Africa. When it comes to boosting food production, coping with climate change, or bolstering the delivery of a wide range of ecosystem services, I believe that African animal genetic resources are essential alternatives for the sustainable growth of the livestock industry and its contribution to food security. Africa needs to address the support and development of indigenous animal genetic resources in order to meet the basic food needs of more than 1 billion people, address numerous environmental issues with continental implications, and focus on more effective and resilient food systems with the greatest impact on food security. The indigenous animal resources diversity and support actions to this unique group could provide a boost in protein that is lacking to constitute healthy diets in Africa. The priorities of nonprofit organizations, foundations, governments, citizens' groups, and companies can be influenced by this leverage point in the African food system. Due to continuous food insecurity, which appears to be becoming worse with climate change and makes it even harder to accomplish the SDGs on the continent, Africa has paid a hefty price for being misled about the worth of its own animal genetic resources. To the contrary, it is highly improbable that a strategy to improve food security and rural livelihoods that undermines the utilization of indigenous animal genetic resources will be viable in long-term. If Africa makes an effort, is committed, and fully commits resources to putting indigenous animal genetic resources at the forefront of combating food insecurity and accelerating the achievement of SDGs, it can achieve more under the adverse prevailing climate change induce environmental conditions. Our personal opinion is that we would not have had the ongoing food problems, even in the face of climate change, if Africa had over the years implemented the necessary mechanisms to develop and promote local animal genetic resources. What lies ahead in terms of climate change effect on food security in Africa is anyone's guess – but whatever it is, promoting continental adapted indigenous animal genetic resources portfolio is ready to handle it. Development and promotion of African animal genetic resources should be part of a continental strategy to transform smallholder animal production by 2050, in line with the goals of achieving the SGDs, to improve rural household food security, and bringing rural economy prosperity, resilience, sustainability, and all other desired animal related food outcomes for rural healthy diets. African animal genetic resources are the most important but underutilized resource to address the issue of ongoing food insecurity. The responsible use of local animal genetic resources through climate smart animal husbandry practices also contributes to food security, rural development and increased employment opportunities. African genetic improvement programs involving indigenous animal genetic resources must be considered as regards to local agriculture and livestock development aspirations, appropriateness to local reality and livelihood security, as well as environmental friendliness. Animal agriculture will fill in the enormous gaps in the continent's food supply if this animal group receives adequate attention and is used integrated properly in crop and livestock systems which characterize smallholder farming sector in Africa. Because they have evolved over time to accommodate the various climatic conditions and environmental pressures on the continent, Africa's native animal genetic resources are particularly resilient. Indirectly, the impact of climate change offers a chance to use native animal genetics from Africa. The use of local animal genetic diversity has the potential to substantially improve Africa's food security landscape hence should be given special consideration for sociocultural, environmental, and economic aspects, and with regard for smallholder farmer-specific factors of interest. African animal genetic resources have contributed significantly to the food and nutrition security aspects of the millions of people in their communities of origin and custody in Africa. The purpose of the perception piece is to educate the reader about the fundamental mechanisms that control the use of continental animal genetic resources and how the outlook for these mechanisms can be manipulated in the future for the benefit of improving food security in Africa. The discussion provides in-depth insight into the pertinent literature in understanding the significance of local animal genetic resources in terms of their contribution to food security in Africa. Read more