Sep-Dec 2013

A s e le ct i o n o f p u b l i c at io n s t h a t h i g h l i g h t s st u d ie s , r e p o r t s a n d o t h e r do c u m e nt s o n t o p i c s a n d is s u e s o f r e l e v a n ce fo r t h e C a ri b b e a n , w h i c h c a n i n f o r m a n d c o n t r i b u t e t o t he po l i c y d i a l o g ue , fo r m u l at i o n an d i m p l e m e n t a t io n pr o ce s se s .
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Packing For Organic Foods International Trade Centre ( ITC) 2012 As the organic market continues to develop, the regulations surrounding organic produce become more and more important. One such area of regulation is that of packaging, being sometimes not fully understood and leveraged in marketing by small scale farmers in developing nations. This technical paper seeks to address that issue in an effort to enable the productivity of these enterprises. It is a careful step by step process in developing environmentally conscious organic product packaging and design. It explains the regulations for packaging for organic foods and gives considerations that must be taken into account when choosing materials, based on the nature of the product. This paper is valuable for organic and other small/medium enterprises interested in using packaging as a basis for differentiating their product, and would be informative for extension and other support services working with them.
http://www.intracen.org/Packaging-for-Organic-Foods/ C o n t a c t : Alexander Kasterine (Head, Trade and Environment Programme) I n f o : kasterine@intracen.org.

TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT Down to earth: Sustainable rural transformation Kanayo F. Nwanze IFAD, 2013 In the area of development, agricultural sustainability and poverty eradication continue to be catch phrases that pervade the discourse. Down to Earth is concise and directed in its look at this issue. It highlights the inescapable links between food security, poverty eradication and rural development. Using an example of a fishing community in Mozambique, it encourages a deeper look at how development strategies are designed and to think more critically about the scope of these efforts. With the end of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target date of 2015 looming, this short publication is a reminder of the depth of work that must be done in order to make a serious contribution to sustainable rural development, food security and poverty eradication.
http://www.ifad.org/pub/viewpoint/viewpoint4.pdf C o n t a c t : Kanayo F. Nwanze (President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development) ifad@ifad.org Info:

Sustainable Agriculture - A pathway out of poverty for India's rural poor GTZ Sustainet. 2006 This publication draws awareness to the significance of sustainable agriculture to rural development and poverty eradication. It reveals the state of food and nutrition insecurity in East Africa and explains the potential for development through agriculture. It contains nine examples of successful sustainable agriculture projects in East Africa, namely Tanzania and Kenya and makes suggestions on policy changes and scaling up sustainable agriculture approaches. Policy makers and indeed all those involved in rural development or agriculture as well as governments committed to attaining the target for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will find this an interesting read.
http://www.agrecol.de/?Q=en/Sustainable_agriculture C o n t a c t : R a l f W y r w i n s k i ( F e d e r a l M i n i s t r y f o r E c o n o m i c Coo p e r a t i o n a n d D e v e l o p m e n t ) I n f o : www.sustainet.org

July-Sep 2013
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

Public-Private Collaboration for Export Success-Case Studies from Barbados, Ghana, India, Thailand and Malaysia International Trade Centre. 2011. This publication suggests that solving the worlds pressing problems require more than public sector intervention alone. It requires collaboration and investment on the part of both the public and private sector. Five successful case studies of public-private collaborations in developing countries are reviewed within, expressing the value of business advocacy on trade policy issues and perhaps most interestingly showcasing the Barbados Tourism Board as a good example in the Caribbean. The aim of the publication is to increase public-private partnerships in an effort to advance the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
http://www.intracen.org/Public-Private-Collaboration-for-Export-Success---Case-studies-from-Barbados-Ghana-IndiaThailand-and-Malaysia/ Info: itcreg@intracen.org

The importance of scaling up for agricultural and rural development. Kevin Cleaver, IFAD. 2013. This paper explores the relationship between agriculture, poverty and hunger, finding that an increase in agricultural growth almost always coincides with a decline in malnutrition and poverty. It suggests therefore that if governments make a substantial effort in the development of their agricultural sector then poverty eradication and the elimination of hunger will inevitably follow. The paper goes onto explore ways to stimulate agricultural growth, making a point to note that investments on the part of both the government and the donors must be broad and at scale to enable development. It references IFADs own 20 year experience in Peru as an example.
http://www.ifad.org/pub/op/4.pdf C o n t a c t : Kevin Cleaver (Associate Vice-President Programme Management Department IFAD) Info: k.cleaver@ifad.org

CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY Rallying the Region to Action on Climate Change (RRACC). The OECS Climate Change Seminar - Climate Change, Tourism and Agriculture - A look at Impacts and Adaptations. 2013 This report is the third is a series of seminars conducted for the Reduce the Risks to Human and Natural Assets Resulting from Climate Change (RRACC) Project implemented in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Its focus is on the effects of climate change on the economic sectors. The report indicates the estimated damage to both the tourism and the agriculture sectors which play vital roles in the economies of small island developing states (SIDS). Recommendations for adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change on both of these sectors were documented across the dimensions of policy reform and institutional arrangements to planning, development and training. In addition to providing interesting information on the agriculture or the tourism sectors of the OECS, this report is an important read for government agencies, NGOs and other developmental organizations to stimulate discussion on the current issues and challenges of sustainable development in a changing world.
http://www.oecs.org/rracc-documents-reports Contact: Lavina Alexander E-mail: lavina.alexander@gmail.com

July-Sep 2013
CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY FAO. Cassava Farmer Field Schools M. Ameua, J.Hirea, D.Kamalanduac et al. 2013. Cassava has been able to contribute significantly to the food security of many homes in the African region and can be used in a number of industries. Recent outbreaks of diseases have led to a need to mitigate its effects on this vital crop in African agriculture. The publication presents experiences of four countries: Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and Uganda, with a focus on cassava farmer field schools. It focuses on ways of educating farmers about diseases but also incorporates other aspects of cassava production and post-harvest handling. Cassava has been identified as a crop that will also be beneficial in contributing to the food security of the Caribbean region. The experiences of the African farmer field schools may prove useful for extension officers promoting the development of cassava production in the Caribbean.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3447e/i3447e.pdf Contact: publications-sales@fao.org Info: http://www.fao.org

Climate Smart Smallholder Agriculture Whats Different? E. Grainger-Jones, IFAD, 2011. This report highlights some of the major issues facing smallholder agriculture as it moves towards becoming climate-smart. Explaining that climate change not only intensifies previous risks in agriculture but also presents new risks and perhaps unidentified long term risks, the report suggest three areas that require change in its response to climate change-Better risk assessments for policy and project preparation, scaling up of sustainable agricultural intensification, and an understanding of the new opportunities present for smallholders to ensure an equitable share in future carbon markets. Some technical examples are provided. This is a valuable read for both the public and private sector and particularly policy makers.
http://www.ifad.org/pub/op/3.pdf Contact: Elwyn Grainger-Jones (Director Environment and Climate Division, IFAD ) Info: e . g r a i n g e r - j o n e s @ i f a d . o r g

FAO, IFAD and WFP. The State of Food Insecurity in the World The multiple dimensions of food security. Rome, FAO. 2013. This publication investigates the areas of hunger and undernourishment as a means of identifying the state of food security. Set against the deadline for both the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Food Summit goals, the publication explores the declining rates of hunger globally, exposing the unequal rates of the decline within regions. It looks at Food security from four angles - availability access, utilization and stability - and analyses the progress made in each area as well as the successes of a several countries in improving their state of food and nutrition security. This is a useful resource for policy makers as well as Governmental heads. It clearly reveals areas for development in achieving the goals of reducing hunger and undernourishment and creating a more food secure world.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3434e/i3434e.pdf C o n t a c t : Publications-Sales@fao.org /copyright@fao.org I n t e r n e t : http://www.fao.org

July-Sep 2013
CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY FAO Climate Change and Agriculture in Jamaica R. Selvaraju. 2013.
The Caribbean region, like other small island developing states, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This publication makes an in-depth analysis about the vulnerabilities of Jamaicas agricultural sector to climate change and provides a framework for adaptation and mitigation interventions. It suggests that while adverse effects of climate change affect the entire agricultural sector small-scale and subsistence farmers are the most vulnerable and should be the target of interventions to promote sustainability. A financial impact assessment on the effects of extreme climate events on the agricultural sector is also discussed here. The publication notes that while farmers have begun using some methods to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change; these methods are too limited for prolonged sustainability. It can be a useful reference for policy makers and governments seeking to implement programs aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation within the agricultural sector. http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3417e/i3417e.pdf Contact: Ramasamy Selvaraju Climate, Energy and Tenure Division (NRC), FAO Rome, Italy I n t e r n e t : http://www.fao.org