‘Los meses flacos’: seasonal food insecurity in a Salvadoran organic coffee cooperative

Morris, Katlyn S.; Méndez, V. Ernesto; Olson, Meryl

doi:10.1080/03066150.2013.777708

Cited by 40 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…There are an estimated 2.3 million smallholder farmers in Central America [12], many of whom farm on steep lands with thin soils, are poor, and suffer seasonal food insecurity [13][14][15]. Two common smallholder farming systems in the region are basic grain (maize and beans) and small-scale coffee production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change impacts and adaptation among smallholder farmers in Central America

et al. 2018

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Background: Smallholder farmers are one of the most vulnerable groups to climate change, yet efforts to support farmer adaptation are hindered by the lack of information on how they are experiencing and responding to climate change. More information is needed on how different types of smallholder farmers vary in their perceptions and responses to climate change, and how to tailor adaptation programs to different smallholder farmer contexts. We surveyed 860 smallholder coffee and basic grain (maize/bean) farmers across six Central American landscapes to understand farmer perceptions of climate change and the impacts they are experiencing, how they are changing their agricultural systems in response to climate change, and their adaptation needs.Results: Almost all (95%) of the surveyed smallholder farmers have observed climate change, and most are already experiencing impacts of rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather events on crop yields, pest and disease incidence, income generation and, in some cases, food security. For example, 87% of maize farmers and 66% of coffee farmers reported negative impacts of climate change on crop production, and 32% of all smallholder farmers reported food insecurity following extreme weather events. Of the farmers perceiving changes in climate, 46% indicated that they had changed their farming practices in response to climate change, with the most common adaptation measure being the planting of trees. There was significant heterogeneity among farmers in the severity of climate change impacts, their responses to these impacts, and their adaptation needs. This heterogeneity likely reflects the wide diversity of socioeconomic and biophysical contexts across smallholder farms and landscapes. Conclusions:Our study demonstrates that climate change is already having significant adverse impacts on smallholder coffee and basic grain farmers across the Central American region. There is an urgent need for governments, donors and practitioners to ramp up efforts to help smallholder farmers cope with existing climate impacts and build resiliency to future changes. Our results also highlight the importance of tailoring of climate adaptation policies and programs to the diverse socioeconomic conditions, biophysical contexts, and climatic stresses that smallholder farmers face.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change impacts and adaptation among smallholder farmers in Central America

et al. 2018

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“…En estas áreas se puede cultivar el café de sombra y de altura en forma de policultivo y en coexistencia con la preservación de la biodiversidad, la variedad forestal y el aprovechamiento sostenible de productos rurales como frutales, la miel de abeja local o, bien, las plantas epifitas locales que en el mercado de ornamentales tiene potencial económico (Souza et al 2012;Goodall et al 2014;Bacon et al 2014;Morris et al 2013;Toledo-Aceves et al 2013;Méndez et al, 2013;Caswell et al 2012). …”

Section: La Canasta De Bienes Rurales Como Estrategia De Desarrollo Tunclassified

La estrategia de canasta de bienes territoriales y su repercusión local en empleo e ingresos. El caso de Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla

Leglise

Vicente

2016

CTA

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<p><span style="font-size: medium;">La formación de una canasta de bienes territoriales representa una estrategia de índole sistémica para los pequeños agricultores, al permitir alcanzar múltiples objetivos que den resultados en materia de elevar la competitividad territorial, por medio de acceder a nichos de mercado de bienes rurales diferenciados, fortalecer el capital social y generar mejores niveles locales de empleo e ingresos, así como también mejorar y conservar el entorno ambiental. El análisis consistió en la aplicación de un modelo de dinámica de sistemas que generó posibles escenarios futuros (con el software Vensim® DSS 5.8) en torno a empleos e ingresos de campesinos cafetaleros minifundistas del municipio de Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, en relación a la adopción de dicha estrategia de desarrollo territorial rural. Los resultados fueron favorables para la implementación de dicha estrategia e indica las oportunidades para: a) mejorar el desarrollo de capacidades de los pequeños agricultores; b) hacer favorable el contexto institucional; c) fortalecer el capital social indispensable para dicha estrategia territorial.</span></p>

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“…One of the more common strategies is farm diversification, which includes planting ‘off-season’ or perennial crops as well as carrying livestock (Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja, Rubaire-Akiiki, Greiner, & Morton, 2015; Megersa, Markemann, Angassa, & Zárate, 2014; Morris, Mendez, & Olson, 2013; Rademacher-Schulz, Schraven, & Mahama, 2014; Rosenzweig & Wolpin, 1993). Higher crop diversity on a smallholder’s land has been associated with reduced levels of seasonal hunger and malnutrition (Abdalla et al, 2013; Afifi et al, 2015; Bacon et al, 2014; Devereux, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Off-farm income opportunities help to fill seasonal income gaps by separating households from some of the risks associated with agriculture (Afifi et al, 2015; Daie & Woldtsadik, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Sibhatu, Krishna, & Qaim, 2015). Alternatively, the household may trade labour for money or food, or household members might temporarily migrate to another area in search of work (Afifi et al, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Morris et al, 2013; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Zug, 2006). Similar to the effects for urban food consumers, however, rural purchasers of food are likely to face higher prices in the lean season (Barrett, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Households have been observed to sell assets – including livestock – in order to purchase food (Heltberg, Hossain, Reva, & Turk, 2013; Mayanja et al, 2015; Rademacher-Schulz et al, 2014; Rosenzweig & Wolpin, 1993; Zug, 2006). Additionally, seasonally hungry households may borrow food or money to purchase food from either relatives or friends (Edeh & Gyimah-Brempong, 2015; Hadley & Patil, 2008; Maxwell, 1996; Mayanja et al, 2015; Morris et al, 2013; Zug, 2006). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Relating Seasonal Hunger and Prevention and Coping Strategies: A Panel Analysis of Malawian Farm Households

Anderson

Reynolds

Merfeld

et al. 2017

The Journal of Development Studies

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Relative to chronic hunger, seasonal hunger in rural and urban areas of Africa is poorly understood. This paper examines the extent and potential correlates of seasonal hunger in Malawi using panel data from 2011–2013. We find that both urban and rural households report seasonal hunger in the pre-harvest months. Certain strategies to smooth consumption, including crop storage and livestock ownership, are associated with fewer months of hunger. In addition, we find that Malawian households that experience seasonal hunger harvest their crops earlier than average – a short-term coping mechanism that can reduce the crop’s yield and nutritional value, possibly perpetuating hunger.

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‘Los meses flacos’: seasonal food insecurity in a Salvadoran organic coffee cooperative

Cited by 40 publications

References 51 publications

Climate change impacts and adaptation among smallholder farmers in Central America

Climate change impacts and adaptation among smallholder farmers in Central America

La estrategia de canasta de bienes territoriales y su repercusión local en empleo e ingresos. El caso de Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla

Relating Seasonal Hunger and Prevention and Coping Strategies: A Panel Analysis of Malawian Farm Households

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