Food Security

Kindra Halvorson, Chief Transformation Officer, TechnoServe, reflects on the previous year to identify key learnings to help food systems recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last year has been a whirlwind of uncontrollable events for Peruvians. We talked to Sergio López Zapata, project director of the Alianza CAFE project, about how TechnoServe is helping coffee farmers take control of their own futures.

Malnutrition is one of the world’s biggest development challenges. But food fortification can dramatically improve a population’s nutrition—if food processing companies have the right tools and knowledge. Last week, TechnoServe launched a new platform to help food processors track and improve fortification, marking important progress in fighting malnutrition in Nigeria and beyond.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations recently released its 2021 “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World” report. One of the most important global assessments of food insecurity and malnutrition, the report outlines regional findings, key statistics, and overall trends in food security. In this Q&A, TechnoServe’s Chief Transformation Officer, Kindra Halvorson, addresses the report’s key findings and how they relate to TechnoServe’s work to address global food insecurity.

Across West Africa, food security is being challenged by armed struggles and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which will create long-lasting challenges. Amaka Ikeaka, regional program manager for West Africa, writes about how dairy production and other long-term solutions can help address these challenges, particularly in Nigeria.

After growing up watching his family grow coffee on their land in the Sidama region of Ethiopia, Amanuel Belay followed suit. But years of repetitive farming practices dulled his success. An environmentally sustainable TechnoServe program changed all that – and encouraged Amanuel to start helping other farmers.

Food insecurity disproportionately affects women and other vulnerable populations – and the situation is worsening with COVID-19. See how two determined women in low-income countries found creative ways to improve their incomes and their families’ access to nutritious food.

Around the world, more than 2 billion people – nearly one out of four – suffer from “hidden hunger.” Caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals, the condition disrupts healthy development and  can lead to serious health conditions, including blindness, disability, and birth defects. Countries have long been fighting these diseases through food fortification. Read about past efforts and new solutions.

In Guatemala, shifting weather patterns and increased natural disasters are creating additional challenges for smallholder produce farmers like Manuel Guarcas Batzibal. TechnoServe is working with these farmers to boost their climate resilience while also addressing challenges related to high production costs, price volatility, and informal market connections.