I am suggesting to include in the recommendations in the guidance notes and into its list of main messages, to
Incorporate explicit education and training objectives
Increase equitable access to education and training of the most vulnerable people, and especially rural people and women, and monitor progress in such endeavour.
Research in fact indicates that there is a high correlation between educational level and food security ( See: FAO 2007 : Education for Rural People and Food Security:” and FAO 2009: Education for Rural People: Education, Training and capacity Development in Poverty reduction and Food Security) and this is even higher than that of some agricultural inputs. Current literature indicates moreover, when education is associated with availability of credit and agricultural inputs, productivity and income increase significantly.
The research therefore points the direction to policy makers: To ensure the inclusion of rural people in the education system and to provide alternative non formal education to those that cannot get access to school or fall out. In fact, 4 out of 5 of today’s illiterates (about 800 millions) are in rural areas and in least developed countries. The farmers field schools is a very good example of talking the education and training needs of the rural people to foster their nutrition and that of the community, and not only that.
When planning country level action to foster food security and improve nutrition, it is good to include nutrition education in the curriculum. But it is absolutely not sufficient. Infact so many people do not go to school and will never benefit from such nutrition education. Moreover, there are many other skills for life ( like reading, numbering, solving problems; marketing; conflict management) and other attitudes ( self esteem, solidarity, participation ; etc) and values ( justice; gender equity; respect for the environment etc) that people develop through schooling and are needed to become empowered of one’s one life, and get out of poverty.
In conclusion, interdisciplinary work is crucial, and this means to step out of the basket. Although nutrition education is important, It is not enough. Agricultural intuitions and organizations engaged in promoting food security and safety need to associate with educational institutions and organization to make sure that the rural people get the same services as the rest of the population. This is the basis to overcome the poverty trap, and the knowledge divide, which are at the basis of undernourishment.
Lavinia Gasperini . FAO, Agricultural Education and Training
I am suggesting to include in the recommendations in the guidance notes and into its list of main messages, to
Research in fact indicates that there is a high correlation between educational level and food security ( See: FAO 2007 : Education for Rural People and Food Security:” and FAO 2009: Education for Rural People: Education, Training and capacity Development in Poverty reduction and Food Security) and this is even higher than that of some agricultural inputs. Current literature indicates moreover, when education is associated with availability of credit and agricultural inputs, productivity and income increase significantly.
The research therefore points the direction to policy makers: To ensure the inclusion of rural people in the education system and to provide alternative non formal education to those that cannot get access to school or fall out. In fact, 4 out of 5 of today’s illiterates (about 800 millions) are in rural areas and in least developed countries. The farmers field schools is a very good example of talking the education and training needs of the rural people to foster their nutrition and that of the community, and not only that.
When planning country level action to foster food security and improve nutrition, it is good to include nutrition education in the curriculum. But it is absolutely not sufficient. Infact so many people do not go to school and will never benefit from such nutrition education. Moreover, there are many other skills for life ( like reading, numbering, solving problems; marketing; conflict management) and other attitudes ( self esteem, solidarity, participation ; etc) and values ( justice; gender equity; respect for the environment etc) that people develop through schooling and are needed to become empowered of one’s one life, and get out of poverty.
In conclusion, interdisciplinary work is crucial, and this means to step out of the basket. Although nutrition education is important, It is not enough. Agricultural intuitions and organizations engaged in promoting food security and safety need to associate with educational institutions and organization to make sure that the rural people get the same services as the rest of the population. This is the basis to overcome the poverty trap, and the knowledge divide, which are at the basis of undernourishment.
Lavinia Gasperini . FAO, Agricultural Education and Training