Food production and consumption in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan: the challenges of sustainability and seasonality for dietary diversity

Poole, Nigel; Amiri, Habiba; Amiri, Sardar Muhammad; Farhank, Islamudin; Zanello, Giacomo

Abstract

In Asia, high levels of malnutrition threaten the health and livelihoods of millions of households. This paper concentrates on linkages between agriculture and nutrition in Afghanistan where food and nutrition insecurity are increasing and agricultural sustainability is increasingly compromised by climate change. We explore seasonal patterns of food production and consumption in the remote and robust ecological environment of Shah Foladi, Bamyan Province. Analysis of qualitative data from household interviews in eight villages has provided a wealth of insights into the seasonality of diets. Even within a broadly homogeneous environment, households were found to be markedly heterogeneous in respect of their assets, production, market, finance and employment strategies. The so-called ‘lean season’ was found to vary accordingly. Nevertheless, a general lack of dietary diversity during much of the year is likely to cause micronutrient malnutrition, especially for the vulnerable groups of children, adolescent girls and women. Potential interventions are proposed which need to account for the local context in order to overcome the natural and political constraints. These strategies include agricultural innovation and multi-sectoral policy approaches. In the end, reducing national insecurity is a pre-requisite for sustainable improvement in nutrition-sensitive agricultural development.

Citation

Poole, N., Amiri, H., Amiri, S. M., Farhank, I., & Zanello, G. (2019). Food production and consumption in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan: the challenges of sustainability and seasonality for dietary diversity. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 17(6), 413-430. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2019.1680229

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 5, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 25, 2019
• Publication Date: Oct 25, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 8, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 8, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
• Print ISSN: 1473-5903
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-762X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 413-430
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2019.1680229
• Keywords: Seasonality, agriculture, nutrition, Afghanistan, dietary diversity, ‘lean season’, markets, employment, finance, multi-sectoral policies
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2019.1680229