Japan backs FAO in augmenting capacity of African countries to analyze food security, nutrition data

AFRICA – With funding from the Government of Japan, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),  has enhanced the capacities of stakeholders in Angola, Mali, Senegal, and Tanzania to analyze food security and nutrition data more effectively, to monitor SDG Target 2 using standardized tools that allow for country, region, and international comparability.

The two FAO indicators that are used to track advancements toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, which is focused on eradicating hunger, enhancing nutrition, and advancing sustainable agriculture, have not yet undergone a thorough review in a number of African nations.

This is mostly caused by a lack of resources for creating high-quality data.

According to the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, the Prevalence of Undernourishment (PoU) and the Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity in the Population are the two critical food security indicators in question (FIES).

Over 150 experts from the recipient nations received practical training in gathering, analyzing, and reporting food and nutrition security data as part of the project “GCP/GLO/943/JPN – Supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.1 Monitoring by Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition Information in Africa.”

Additionally, they were equipped with the knowledge and abilities to estimate SDG 2.1.1 (Prevalence of Undernourishment, or PoU), nutrition indicators, and calculate SDG 2.1.2 (Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food Insecurity) using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), as well as interpret the findings and compile national comprehensive food and nutrition security reports.

In addition to advancing the production of more timely and reliable data on food security and nutrition, the project has also given vital insights on the state of food security and nutrition in the four participating countries.

Moreover, it has promoted collaborations all through the implementation phase, said Ahmad Babagana, the FAO Representative for South Africa during a gathering to disseminate national food and nutrition security reports and evaluate the project’s milestones.

“It is my hope that the statistical information generated will prove useful in the future, and that the countries will continue utilizing the knowledge and skills gained from this project.

“The MAFF of Japan remains committed to contributing to the improvement of agricultural statistics in the African region,” Masahiro Hosaka, Deputy Director of the Statistics Planning Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, expressed his sentiments on the project’s achievements.

Policymakers can now better understand the issues influencing food security and malnutrition in their individual nations thanks to the reports on food and nutrition security produced as part of this project.

The initiative brought together academic specialists and representatives from a number of government agencies and promoted the development of strong internal institutions to track the development of food and nutrition security in the recipient nations.

The rapid examination of the available data was aided by the collaborative work, numerous skilled experts, and accessibility of various platforms for data analysis, says FAO.

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