Ataa-Asantewaa Martha, Ros-Tonen Mirjam A F, de Steenhuijsen Piters Bart, Gupta Joyeeta
Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies/Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Wageningen Economic Research, International Policy Subdivision, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
NJAS Impact Agric Life Sci. 2025 May 28;97(1):2508143. doi: 10.1080/27685241.2025.2508143. eCollection 2025.
Agricultural policies promoting smallholder participation in global markets for high-value commodities assume benefits for household food and nutrition security (FNS). However, existing literature often overlooks differences among smallholders. Using surveys, life interviews, and focus groups, this study applies the Household Access Food Insecurity Scale and dietary diversity scores to examine how household heterogeneity among Ghanaian tree-crop farmers affects FNS. Beyond standard FNS dimensions, we incorporate food sovereignty aspects like autonomy, cultural preferences, and sustainability. Only 47% of households were food secure, with significantly higher rates among those growing multiple tree crops (58%) and lower rates among landless farmers (30%). Households dependent on a single tree crop and landless households experience seasonal food insecurity due to low incomes. Interestingly, even the most economically secure multiple tree-crop households do not always achieve better dietary diversity, as spending choices influence nutrient intake. Cultural preferences impact FNS, particularly for older generations, while younger generations exhibit shifting dietary trends, highlighting the importance of cultural and generational factors. Intercropping is key to future FNS, given the widespread conversion of food-crop lands to tree-crop production. However, intercropping becomes difficult as tree crops mature, and excessive agrochemical use threatens sustainability and food safety. These findings underscore the need to explore intercropping in oil palm plantations, promote livelihood diversification, and raise awareness of more inclusive and sustainable farming practices. Future FNS research, policy, and practice must account for household heterogeneity and specific production contexts.
促进小农户参与高价值商品全球市场的农业政策假定这将有利于家庭粮食和营养安全（FNS）。然而，现有文献往往忽视了小农户之间的差异。本研究通过调查、生活访谈和焦点小组，运用家庭粮食不安全获取量表和饮食多样性得分，来考察加纳经济作物农户的家庭异质性如何影响粮食和营养安全。除了标准的粮食和营养安全维度外，我们还纳入了粮食主权方面的内容，如自主性、文化偏好和可持续性。只有47%的家庭粮食安全，种植多种经济作物的家庭比例显著更高（58%），而无地农户的比例更低（30%）。依赖单一经济作物的家庭和无地家庭由于收入低而面临季节性粮食不安全。有趣的是，即使是经济上最有保障的多种经济作物种植家庭也并非总能实现更好的饮食多样性，因为消费选择会影响营养摄入。文化偏好影响粮食和营养安全，对老一辈人尤其如此，而年轻一代则呈现出不断变化的饮食趋势，凸显了文化和代际因素的重要性。鉴于粮食作物用地广泛转变为经济作物生产，间作是未来粮食和营养安全的关键。然而，随着经济作物成熟，间作变得困难，过度使用农用化学品威胁到可持续性和食品安全。这些发现强调了探索油棕种植园间作、促进生计多样化以及提高对更具包容性和可持续性的耕作方法的认识的必要性。未来的粮食和营养安全研究、政策及实践必须考虑到家庭异质性和具体生产背景。
