Download - Food security in Yemen: An Update
Food security in Yemen: An Update
With support from: CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions and Markets (PIM), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Presenter: Clemens Breisinger
Framework and indicators Yemen National Food Security Strategy
National food security
(Availability)
Macroeconomy Key sectors Governance
Food imports/foreign exchange earnings
Human capacity
and productivity
Stability, jobs and
services
Household food security
(Access and utilization)
Income Food Services
Calorie defiency
Child stunting
Po
licie
s an
d in
terv
enti
on
sC
rises and
sho
cks (Sta
bility)
Source: Yemen National Food Security Strategy, simplified version)
Yemen is the most food-insecure Arab country and among the 10 most food insecure countries globally
Source: Breisinger et al. 2012. Beyond the Arab Awakening. IFPRI Food Policy Report
Food security at household level is improving again – after a succession of several crises
Global food, fuel and financial crises unravel
Global food prices rally again
Revolution
Transition
Source: own representation based on data from Central Statistical Organization, Gallup World View, UNICEF and WFP
What explains recent improvements in household food security?
• Inflation declined to 9.9 percent from 19.5 percent in 2011
– Appreciation of Yemeni rial to its pre-crisis level
– Moderation of international food prices
– Easing of supply shortages
• Subsidies and public wage bill have increased to 9 percent and 11% of GDP, respectively (which helps households, but is not well targeted and fiscally unsustainable)
• Per capita incomes started to rise again in 2012 after the steep fall in 2011
Source: IMF 2013 and MOPIC 2013
Food security at national level is also improving - The role of remittances and ODA is increasing
Source: Own representation based on IMF 2013 and MOPIC 2013
Agriculture’s role for food security is stagnating - Cereal imports continue to rise
Source: own presentation based on data from IMF 2013 ; FAO 2013; and MOPIC 2013. Note: Numbers for 2013 are estimates.
What keeps growing is qat, both in production and value terms
Source: Own representation based on MOPIC and FAOSTAT, various years
What can Yemen learn from Brazil when
implementing its National Food Security Strategy?
Highest-level commitment: presidential initiative, ‘right-to-food’ stated in the constitution, and, state accountability.
National strategy coordinates programs from 11 ministries.
Establishment and close collaboration of two secretariats, food and nutrition and social protection.
Targeted, large-scale poverty alleviation program with conditional cash transfers (children’s school attendance and participation in child and maternal healthcare and nutrition programs - ‘Bolsa Familia’)
Large-scale nutrition interventions and investments in drinking water and sanitation infrastructure
Regular process of monitoring and evaluation of progress
Building credibility by promoting transparency of policies and discussions amongst the population
Source: Ecker & Nene (2012) – Nutrition Policies in Developing Countries (IFPRI PN).
The basis for Action: NFSS: 7-point Plan
11
1. Leverage the petroleum subsidy reform to promote food security through direct transfers and investments
Smart transfers to those who need them
6. Better target public investment to the food insecure and improve service provision, especially in rural areas
Restructure public spending and services
7. Launch high-level awareness campaigns for family planning, healthy nutrition, women’s empowerment and qat
Targeted nutrition interventions and women empowerment
Improving household-level food security 7-Point Action Plan
Improving national-level food security 7-Point Action Plan:
12
2. Improve the business climate to foster pro-food secure private investments in promising sectors It’s jobs, jobs, jobs
3. Combine qat reduction policies with support for non-qat agricultural development Agricultural transformation
4. Improve risk management and enforce competition among cereal importers and consider physical grain storage for emergencies Food trade revolution
5. Implement the water sector strategy decisively Water, water, water