El desafío de garantizar la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional
Fecha
2015
Autores
Chacón Araya, Karen
Araya, Dayana
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
Resumen
La seguridad alimentaria y nutricional es clave para impulsar el desarrollo humano sostenible. En ella interviene una amplia variedad de factores sociales, económicos, políticos y ambientales, de modo que no solo incide en el estado de salud y las capacidades cognitivas de los individuos, sino que además “es determinante para la acumulación de capital humano y el aprovechamiento de las oportunidades de las personas para insertarse en la sociedad productivamente y obtener ingresos adecuados para una vida digna” (Programa Estado de la Nación, 2008). Esta investigación evalúa el estado de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en Costa Rica, tomando como punto de partida las cuatro dimensiones de este concepto: disponibilidad, acceso, uso biológico y estabilidad de la provisión de alimentos. Tras un breve repaso por el marco teórico y conceptual sobre el tema, el estudio identifica las políticas, planes, estrategias, leyes y programas existentes en el país, y además recoge información sobre cada una de las dimensiones señaladas, con el objetivo de presentar un panorama general de la situación en esta materia. El análisis incluyó una exhaustiva investigación documental (artículos, libros, revistas y tesis) y una serie de entrevistas a funcionarios públicos, académicos y representantes de organizaciones no gubernamentales, el sector privado y la sociedad civil. Paralelamente, se consultaron las páginas web de instituciones, universidades estatales y organismos internacionales. Los resultados indican que, si bien Costa Rica cuenta con legislación, políticas y programas relacionados con la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional, hay un conjunto de factores económicos, sociales y ambientales que la hacen altamente vulnerable a los vaivenes de los mercados internacionales y frente a la amenaza del cambio climático. Esto afecta las capacidades para reducir el riesgo de que las personas –sobre todo los grupos de menores ingresos- caigan en una situación de inseguridad alimentaria y nutricional. Además dificulta la superación del hambre y la pobreza. La información recabada permite señalar que, para enfrentar los retos en esta materia, se requiere un trabajo planificado y articulado a nivel local, regional y nacional, así como acciones intersectoriales sustentadas en una clara voluntad política.
Food and nutritional security is key to promoting sustainable human development. It involves a wide variety of social, economic, political and environmental factors, so that it not only affects the health status and cognitive abilities of individuals, but also "is a determinant for the accumulation of human capital and the use of opportunities for people to integrate into society productively and obtain adequate income for a decent life" (State of the Nation Program, 2008). This research evaluates the state of food and nutritional security in Costa Rica, taking as a starting point the four dimensions of this concept: availability, access, biological use and stability of food supply. After a brief review of the theoretical and conceptual framework on the subject, the study identifies existing policies, plans, strategies, laws and programs in the country, and also collects information on each of the dimensions mentioned, with the aim of presenting an overview of the situation in this area. The analysis included exhaustive documentary research (articles, books, journals and theses) and a series of interviews with public officials, academics and representatives of non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. At the same time, the web pages of institutions, state universities and international organizations were consulted. The results indicate that, although Costa Rica has legislation, policies and programs related to food and nutrition security, there is a set of economic, social and environmental factors that make it highly vulnerable to the ups and downs of international markets and to the threat of climate change. This affects the capacity to reduce the risk of people -especially lower-income groups- falling into a situation of food and nutrition insecurity. It also makes it difficult to overcome hunger and poverty. The information gathered indicates that, in order to face the challenges in this area, planned and coordinated work is required at the local, regional and national levels, as well as intersectoral actions based on a clear political will.
Food and nutritional security is key to promoting sustainable human development. It involves a wide variety of social, economic, political and environmental factors, so that it not only affects the health status and cognitive abilities of individuals, but also "is a determinant for the accumulation of human capital and the use of opportunities for people to integrate into society productively and obtain adequate income for a decent life" (State of the Nation Program, 2008). This research evaluates the state of food and nutritional security in Costa Rica, taking as a starting point the four dimensions of this concept: availability, access, biological use and stability of food supply. After a brief review of the theoretical and conceptual framework on the subject, the study identifies existing policies, plans, strategies, laws and programs in the country, and also collects information on each of the dimensions mentioned, with the aim of presenting an overview of the situation in this area. The analysis included exhaustive documentary research (articles, books, journals and theses) and a series of interviews with public officials, academics and representatives of non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. At the same time, the web pages of institutions, state universities and international organizations were consulted. The results indicate that, although Costa Rica has legislation, policies and programs related to food and nutrition security, there is a set of economic, social and environmental factors that make it highly vulnerable to the ups and downs of international markets and to the threat of climate change. This affects the capacity to reduce the risk of people -especially lower-income groups- falling into a situation of food and nutrition insecurity. It also makes it difficult to overcome hunger and poverty. The information gathered indicates that, in order to face the challenges in this area, planned and coordinated work is required at the local, regional and national levels, as well as intersectoral actions based on a clear political will.
Descripción
Vigesimoprimer Informe Estado de la Nación en Desarrollo Humano Sostenible (2014)
Palabras clave
DESARROLLO HUMANO, ESTADO, SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA, SOSTENIBILIDAD, FOOD SECURITY, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, STATE, SUSTAINABILITY