Seasonal Hunger: A Neglected Problem with Proven Solutions

Vaitla, Bapu; Devereux, Stephen; Swan, Samuel Hauenstein

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000101

Cited by 90 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…For the coming decades, regional climate change models predict a moderate increase in precipitation with high local variation, a shift in the onset of the rainy season and an increase in dry spells (Laux, 2009). This may also involve an increasing probability of extreme events such as floods and droughts (Van de Giesen, Liebe, & Jung, 2010).…”

Section: Regional Context Northern Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although seasonality and its implications for human mobility play a role in the food security literature (cf. Sahn, 1989;Vaitla, Devereux, & Swan, 2009), migration literature largely excludes the factor of seasonality or -in the case of Ghana -only focuses on dry-season migration. Already, in the early 1980s, Chambers, Longhurst, and Pacey (1981) noted a dry-season bias in research activities on semi-arid areas as these have been and still are mainly conducted during the dry season.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time matters: shifting seasonal migration in Northern Ghana in response to rainfall variability and food insecurity

Rademacher‐Schulz

Schraven

Mahama³

2013

Climate and Development

128

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This article examines the interrelationships between rainfall variability, livelihood/food security and migration in rural Savannah communities in Northern Ghana. It addresses the question of how strong dry season migration is pronounced and whether the recent dominant migration type is a coping or adaptation mechanism. The analysis is based on empirical research conducted in four communities of the Nadowli District (Upper West Region), using a mixed methods approach. It was found that the households are highly dependent on rain-fed subsistence agriculture and livestock rearing, showing a low degree of economic diversification. Study participants in general complained about the unpredictability of the weather and linked changes in rainfall to declining crop yields and livestock possession as well as to increasing food prices. A common livelihood strategy used by households is dry-season migration to more suitable farming areas and to mining sites. Research in 2011 revealed that the majority of migrants were forced to migrate during the rainy season in order to feed the household members. This observation may indicate a shift in seasonal migration patterns with potentially harmful consequences for household livelihood security in the future.

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Section: Regional Context Northern Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time matters: shifting seasonal migration in Northern Ghana in response to rainfall variability and food insecurity

Rademacher‐Schulz

Schraven

Mahama³

2013

Climate and Development

128

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“…In addition to the immediate compromised wellbeing that results from experiencing hunger, short-term coping mechanisms can reasonably be imagined to have negative longer-term health, labour productivity and financial consequences that compound and perpetuate seasonal hunger. Many authors find that seasonal hunger is associated with limiting caloric intake and worsening nutritional outcomes (Christian & Dillon, 2016; Devereux, 2009; Devereux et al, 2008; Hillbruner & Egan, 2008; Longhurst & Payne, 1979; Messer, 1989; Milgroom & Giller, 2013; Sassi, 2015; Vaitla et al, 2009) – with impacts on health and labour productivity (Chambers et al, 1981; Hadley & Patil, 2008). There is evidence of households coping with hunger by eroding assets and incurring debt, increasing financial vulnerability (Ellis & Manda, 2012; Harrigan, 2008; Maxwell, 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike chronic hunger, which refers to a longer-term food shortage or lack of access to food and may include hunger in the lean season, seasonal hunger is periodic and driven by seasonal variation in climatic conditions (Ayalew, 1997; Gebrehiwot & Van der Veen, 2014; Vaitla, Devereux, & Swan, 2009). Throughout SSA the rural poor depend heavily on subsistence agriculture and, as such, are particularly susceptible to seasonal hunger in the months leading up to the annual harvest (Abdalla, Leonhäuser, Bauer, & Elamin, 2013; Barrett, 1996; Becquey et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…Seasonal energy stress is considered a major contributor to undernutrition in low income settings Branca 1993, Vaitla, Devereux, andSwan 2009). Most farmers in sub-Saharan Africa rely on rain-fed agriculture (Faurès and Santini 2008), resulting in considerable seasonal variations in local food availability and prices (Hirvonen, Taffesse, and Worku 2015, Kaminski, Christiaensen, and Gilbert 2014, Gilbert, Christiaensen, and Kaminski 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Market Access Mitigate the Impact of Seasonality on Child Growth?

2016

Innocenti Working Papers

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In 1988 the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) established a research centre to support its advocacy for children worldwide and to identify and research current and future areas of UNICEF's work. The prime objectives of the Office of Research are to improve international understanding of issues relating to children's rights and to help facilitate full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in developing, middle-income and industrialized countries.The Office aims to set out a comprehensive framework for research and knowledge within the organization, in support of its global programmes and policies. Through strengthening research partnerships with leading academic institutions and development networks in both the North and South, the Office seeks to leverage additional resources and influence in support of efforts towards policy reform in favour of children.Publications produced by the Office are contributions to a global debate on children and child rights issues and include a wide range of opinions. For that reason, some publications may not necessarily reflect UNICEF policies or approaches on some topics. The views expressed are those of the authors and/or editors and are published in order to stimulate further dialogue on child rights.The Office collaborates with its host institution in Florence, the Istituto degli Innocenti, in selected areas of work. Core funding is provided by the Government of Italy, while financial support for specific projects is also provided by other governments, international institutions and private sources, including UNICEF National Committees.Extracts from this publication may be freely reproduced with due acknowledgement. Requests to translate the publication in its entirety should be addressed to: Communications Unit, florence@unicef.org.For further information and to download or order this and other publications, please visit the website at www.unicef-irc.org. Abstract: Seasonality in agricultural production continues to shape intra-annual food availability and prices in low-income countries. Using high-frequency panel data from northern Ethiopia, this study attempts to quantify seasonal fluctuations in children's weights. In line with earlier studies, we document considerable seasonality in children's age and height adjusted weights. While children located closer to local food markets are better nourished compared to their counterparts residing in more remote areas, their weights are also subject to considerable seasonality. Further analysis provides evidence that children located closer to food markets consume more diverse diets than those located farther away. However, the content of these diets varies across seasons: children are less likely to consume animal source foods during the lean season. This leads us to conclude that households located near these food markets are not able to insulate their children from seasonal weight fluctuations. We discuss some policy options with potential to address this threat to child well-being. Correspondence sho...

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Seasonal Hunger: A Neglected Problem with Proven Solutions

Cited by 90 publications

References 4 publications

Time matters: shifting seasonal migration in Northern Ghana in response to rainfall variability and food insecurity

Time matters: shifting seasonal migration in Northern Ghana in response to rainfall variability and food insecurity

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

Does Market Access Mitigate the Impact of Seasonality on Child Growth?

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