TOPIC:MAJOR FACTORS THAT UNDERMINE

FOOD SECURITY IN NAUSORI AREA

STUDENT ID: S11185754

NAME: RIKANSHA RIA KUMAR

ABSTRACT
This report is written on an investigation to evaluate the major factors that undermine food
security in Nausori. It will identify crisis present in the nation, opinion of the people who live
in different areas of Nausori, establish the food security crisis and suggest ways in which
food security crisis can be addressed. The methods used to meet the objectives included
handing out questionnaires, conducting interviews and doing research. The results show that
there are evidences of food security crisis in the Nausori area. This report shall also make
recommendations.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................2
TABLE OF CONTENTS...........................................................................................................3
LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................................4
1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................5
2.0 METHODS..........................................................................................................................6
2.1 GENERAL PROCEDURE...............................................................................................6
2.2 QUESTIONNAIRES........................................................................................................6
2.3 INTERVIEWS..................................................................................................................6
3.0 RESULTS............................................................................................................................7
3.1 RESULTS FROM QUESTIONNAIRE DISTRIBUTED TO THE RESIDENTS OF
NAUSORI AREA..................................................................................................................7
3.1.1 ARE PEOPLE AWARE OF FOOD SECURITY CRISIS?......................................7
3.1.2 EVIDENCE OF FOOD INSECURITY YOUR AREA............................................8
3.1.3 “WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO EAT BALANCED MEALS” WAS THAT
EVER TRUE FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD?......................................................................9
3.1.4 FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA...........................10
3.1.5 IMPACTS OF FOOD SECURITY CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA........................11
3.1.6 STEPS TAKEN AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO ADDRESS THE FOOD SECURITY
CRISIS..............................................................................................................................12
3.2 RESULTS FROM INTERIEWS CONDUDTED IN NAUSORI AREA......................13
3.2.1 FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY IN A HOUSEHOLD.....................13
3.2.2 THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH TO CURB THE FOOD SECURITY
CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA..........................................................................................14
4.0 DISCUSSION....................................................................................................................15
5.0 CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................18
6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................................19
7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................................20
8.0 APPENDICES....................................................................................................................21
8.1 APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE...............................................................................21

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 8.2 APPENDIX 2: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS..................................................................24

LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1:

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Fiji is encountering the impacts of climate change, including coastal erosion and floods which
severely affects food security. This report focuses on evaluating the major factors that
undermine the food security crisis in Nausori area. It will be used to identify food crisis in
Nausori, establish the impacts and ascertain the opinion of the people living in those areas.
This report also highlights level of food insecurity in Nausori which the government can use
to make decisions for future for tackling the food security crisis. Also, recommendations will
be made to address the food security crisis.

This report is based on Nausori where data has been collected from different areas of
Nausori. Nausori has a population of about 47,604. Their main source income is usually
fishing and farming and people usually earn slightly above the minimum wage rate. It is a
place where many racial groups live in peace and harmony. Since Fiji is geographically
situated in one of the most natural disaster prone area, a lot of natural hazards occur in Fiji.
This makes it challenging to secure food in Nausori. Food production declines due to limited
resources in the area.

It is expected that government has to put in its best effort to address the food security crisis in
Nausori. According to the tireless Fijian government, Ministry of Agriculture at the National
Platform for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change has established workshop
underway in Suva. The Ministry established programs to introduce new crops, crop varieties,
or technologies that could be adopted to help farmers improve their traditional production
systems. Additionally, Ministry has been conducting research on method of improving
storage, post-harvest handling & cold storage. It is hypothesized that in this report not only
the factors that undermine food security will be discussed but will also suggest some ways
individuals are taking steps to address the issue. This report will help to educate the people
Nausori on several measures that they can practice to overcome the food security crisis.

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2.0 METHODS
2.1 GENERAL PROCEDURE
The first step of the research was to get as much information on the internet about Nausori. A
trip to different areas of Nausori was made where the questionnaires were distributed and
interviews were taken. These people included businessmen, people living in the urban areas,
people living in the rural areas who rely on agriculture, farmers and government officials.
The respondents had a week to give in back their questionnaires. A second trip was
made to Ministry of Agriculture, Ratu Cakobau House, Nausori where some government
officials were interviewed on the issue.

2.2 QUESTIONNAIRES
A set of questionnaires were designed to collect information from residents across many
areas of Nausori. A total of 100 questionnaires were given out randomly. The questionnaire
asked about their understanding of food security, the factors that undermine food security and
their view and opinions to combat the issue. However, a different question was given out to
government officials that asked for their plans, strategies that may be implemented to help the
locals combating food security crisis. (See Appendix 1 for a copy of the questionnaires)

2.3 INTERVIEWS
Village head and government officials were interviewed where they were basically asked
ways they think can help curb the issue, their roles and what they want the government to do
for them. The answers to all questions were recorded and tabulated. The questions were short
and simple as most of the data needed was collected via questionnaires.

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3.0 RESULTS
3.1 RESULTS FROM QUESTIONNAIRE DISTRIBUTED TO THE
RESIDENTS OF NAUSORI AREA

3.1.1 ARE PEOPLE AWARE OF FOOD SECURITY CRISIS?

FIGURE 1 : ARE YOU AWARE OF THE TERM "FOOD

SECURITY CRISIS"?

20%

YES
NO

80%

(Source: Questionnaire, Question 1)

Figure 1 shows the response of the people who answered question 1 of the questionnaire. The
graph above shows that 80% of the people surveyed are aware of the food security crisis.
However, 20% of the people are unaware of food security crisis. This concludes to us that
educating the people of Nausori about food security crisis can bring about positive outcomes.

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3.1.2 EVIDENCE OF FOOD INSECURITY YOUR AREA

FIGURE 2: ARE THERE EVIDENCES OF FOOD CRISIS IN

YOUR AREA?

YES
NO

(Source: Questionnaire, Question 2)

The pie chart above shows peoples response when asked if according to them there are
evidences of food crisis in their area. 85% of the respondents stated yes as their answer and
15% of the respondents said no. By this it can be said that majority of the people residing in
the Nausori area think that there is presence of food crisis. When asked to explain how,
people stated that they cannot afford to buy some basic food items because of rising prices.

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3.1.3 “WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO EAT BALANCED MEALS” WAS THAT
EVER TRUE FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD?
FIGURE 3 “WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO EAT BALANCED MEALS” WAS THAT
EVER TRUE FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

4 OFTEN TRUE
SOMETIMES TRUE
3 NEVER TRUE
DON'T KNOW

0
HIGH INCOME EARNERS LOW INCOME EARNERS

(Source: Questionnaire, Question 3)

The bar graph above shows peoples response according to their income earnings. They were
asked if the statement “we could not afford to eat balanced meals” was true for their
household. Majority of the high income earners stated ‘never true’ as their answer. However,
majority of the low income earners stated ‘often true’ as their answer. This shows that people
that have higher income are not affected by the rising prices of food products and low income
earners are severely affected that they cannot provide a balanced meal to their family.

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3.1.4 FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA
FIGURE 4
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
N T TH Y E S
TIO RES ERT AT SE
BU N OW OV IM SE
A
RI LU GR P CL DI
T CA
DI
S
ITI IO
N
A ND
D L A T S
O ST
FO
O P UL
P PE
BL
E PO
ITA
U
NEQ
U

(Source: Questionnaire, Question 4)

The pie chart above shows major contributors of food crisis in the Nausori area. People were
asked to tick the box that they think contribute to food crisis in the area. 33% of people stated
poverty was the main contributor followed by climate at 21%, pest and diseases at 17%,
unequitable food distribution at 10%, political unrest at 5% and population growth at 14%.

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3.1.5 IMPACTS OF FOOD SECURITY CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA

FIGURE 5: IMPACTS OF FOOD SECURITY CRISIS IN

NAUSORI IN 3 CATEGORIES
HEALTH AND NUTRITION POVERTY AND LIVELIHOODS EQUITY AND COMMUNITY

13%

31% 56%

(Source: Questionnaire, Question 6)

The graph above shows the 3 categories of impacts that affect the Nausori area. It is seen that
56% affected to health and nutrition, 31% to poverty and livelihoods and 13% to equity and
community.

The 3 categories:

 Equity and Community

 Economic inequality
 Family stress
 Gender inequality

 Poverty and Livelihoods

 Sales of household assets to uy food
 Increased debts
 Loss of purchasing power
 Increase in school dropouts

 Health and Nutrition

 Malnutrition
 Undernourishment of young children
 Reduced spending on healthcare
 Weight loss

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3.1.6 STEPS TAKEN AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO ADDRESS THE FOOD SECURITY
CRISIS

FIGURE 6: STEPS TAKEN AS AN INDIVIDUAL TO ADDRESS

THE FOOD SECURITY CRISIS
100
80
60
40
20
0
S Y TE G
EM NTL AS IN
ST IE M
SY FIC D
W AR
N EF OO EF
TIO E F EN
C
A OR E T
RI
G M UC IS
IR R
RE
D BS
G ZE SU
IN IT LI
O V R
PR FE
M G
I SIN
U

(Source: Questionnaire, Question 8)

The figure above shows different steps that individuals have taken to address the food
security issue. It is seen that subsistence farming is ranked at highest which shows that people
have used this method to support their income. People also have stated that they have been
reducing food wastage, using fertilizer wisely and improving irrigation systems.

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3.2 RESULTS FROM INTERIEWS CONDUDTED IN NAUSORI AREA
3.2.1 FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY IN A HOUSEHOLD

FIGURE 7: FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD SECURITY IN A

HOUSEHOLD
12

10

0
AGE GENDER EDUCATION REMITTANCES UNEMPLOYMENT DISEASES

(Source: Interview Questions, Question 3)

The bar graph shows response of the interviews taken of the village headmen. It shows
factors that affect food security in households of Nausori area. The factors include diseases,
unemployment, remittances, education, gender and age. It is seen that lack of education and
unemployment are two main factors of food security crisis.

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3.2.2 THE GOVERNMENTS APPROACH TO CURB THE FOOD SECURITY
CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA

FIGURE 8: THE GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO CURB

THE FOOD SECURITY CRISIS IN NAUSORI AREA

PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL
ASSISTANCE

100%

(Source: Interview Questions, Question 6)

Figure 8 shows the government’s approach to curb the food security crisis in the Nausori
area. The government has provided agricultural assistance in the area. This includes
seedlings, seeds and basic agricultural equipments.

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4.0 DISCUSSION
The results show that the people of Nausori are aware of food security crisis in accordance to
figure 1. It is seen that people have also seen evidences of food security crisis; this shows that
food crisis exits in Nausori (figure 2).

According to figure 4 and figure 7 it is evident that there are several factors affecting food
security in Nausori area. In a household food security is affect by factors such as age, gender,
education, remittances and unemployment. Age is a factor as people in different age groups
require different nutritional needs. Gender is a factor as people of different genders require
different nutritional needs also. The level of education a person receives concludes their
understanding of food security crisis. For instance, if a person is highly educated they have a
sound knowledge of overcoming the food security crisis in their individual households.
People getting remittances also differ as it is a source of income for some families.
Unemployment which is seen as the most concerning factor is ranked at highest in the
Nausori community. Many people are unemployed and are affected from the rising prices of
food item which makes them less vulnerable to purchase food to support their family. Factors
affecting food security in Fiji are unequitable food distribution, political unrest, population
growth, climate and pests and diseases.

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Moreover, impacts of food security crisis in Nausori are tremendous. In accordance to figure
5, the impacts can be classified into 3 categories. The categories include health & nutrition,
poverty & livelihoods and equity & community. The health and nutrition category shows that
there is evidence of malnutrition, undernourishment of young children, weight loss and
reduced spending on health care. Poverty and livelihoods of people residing in Nausori is
impacted as there is increase in school dropouts, loss of purchasing power, increased debts
and even sales of household assets to buy food items. The result shows that people are
severely affected by food security crisis in Nausori area.

People had different opinions regarding food security crisis. The results did really show that
food security is a concern in Nausori area and people are trying their best to help curb the
issue. People have taken the matter seriously and come up with practices that can address
food crisis in the area. According to figure 6 people have been using fertilizer more
efficiently, reduced food wastage, working to improve irrigating systems and indulge in
subsistence farming. This enables them to save resources to secure safe and sufficient food.

The government’s approach to curb food security crisis in Nausori has not been huge but
commendable. The government provided assistance to the farmers of Nausori with

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agricultural tools, seeds and seedlings according to figure 8 They have taken this initiative to
help farmers to grow their business which will eventually increase produce in markets. The
agricultural assistance that farmers receive permits them to keep accomplishing a maximum
level of output. It allows them to manage farms better and modernize their techniques to
increase yields. In this case there is a lesson learnt to be prepared when the cyclone season
arrives to avoid disappointment. It can be noticed that the results coincide with the
hypothesis.

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5.0 CONCLUSION
This report conclusive to some degree, as it holds validity and reliability. Therefore, rigid
generalizations can be made about it is evident that food security is a concern in Nausori and
Fiji as a whole. However, some limitations existed which hindered the reliability of the
results. More people should have been handed out questionnaires and interviewed. This
would provide more convincing and realistic results. Equally, the opinions of other towns in
Fiji should be taken into account for better analysis and presentation of results as food crisis
differ from household to household. It is encouraged to future researchers and report writers
on this point to have a larger sample of individuals to interview and gather data from.

However, this report has revealed that with the support of government food security crisis can
be curbed in Nausori which will also strengthen food security of Fiji. It is also revealed that if
people work hand in hand this issue can be addressed. Food security is major issue in today’s
society and if people do and take it seriously it can be disastrous to Fiji in the near future.
Thus, food security crisis deserves and requires urgent attention by decision makers and
public worldwide.

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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are suggested:

 Government to introduce nutrition education programs in schools.

 Establish workshops for farmers to learn climate smart agriculture.
 Encourage the 3R practice in schools and communities.
 Government incentive to farmers in cash or kind to help grow their businesses.
 Awareness programs supported by Ministry of agriculture to educate people about
food security and aim to empower people to act against food crisis now.
 New government policies passed to improve safe, secure and sufficient food available
to all families.
 Creation of new jobs for youth and females to decrease the unemployment rate.
 Providing scholarships to university students to encourage more research about food
security crisis.
 Lastly, it is recommended the action against food crisis plan strategies should be
implemented where ground people should be included. Explaining and making them
understand in their language will display profound actions against food security crisis.

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7.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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8.0 APPENDICES
8.1 APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE

TOPIC: MAJOR FACTORS THAT UNDERMINE FOOD SECURITY IN NAUSORI

AREA

Name:

Age:

Race:

Occupation:

Gender: Male Female

Marital status: Married Single Divorced

1. Are you aware of the term food security crisis?

Yes No

If yes, explain what food security crisis mean to you.

2. According to you, are there evidences of food crisis in your area?

Yes No

Explain how?

3. “We could not afford to eat balanced meals” was that ever true for your family?

Often true

Sometimes true

Never true

Don’t know

4. Do you have to tackle food crisis in your area?

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 Yes No

5. Tick the boxes that you feel contributes to food security crisis in your area.

Inequitable food distribution

Poverty

Political unrest

Population growth

Climate

Pests and diseases

6. Does the food security crisis have impacts to you, your family or community?

Yes No

If yes, specify the impacts and rate it from 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest.

Health & Nutrition

Malnutrition

Undernourishment of young children

Reduced spending on health care

Weight loss

Poverty & Livelihoods

Sales of household assets to buy food

Increases debts

Increased workloads

Loss of purchasing power

Increase in school dropouts

Equality & Community

Economic in equality

Family stress

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 Gender inequality

7. Do you think food crisis can be addressed as a community?

Yes No

If yes, suggest ways in which food security crisis can be addressed in your area.

8. What are some steps you have taken as an individual to address the food security crisis?

(Tick the appropriate boxes)

Improving irrigation systems

Using fertilizers more efficiently

Reduced food wastage

Subsistence farming

Others (Please specify)

9. What are your opinions on what actions should Fiji government take to combat the food

security crisis?

10. Any comments you like to make about food security crisis in your area?

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8.2 APPENDIX 2: INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
TOPIC: MAJOR FACTORS THAT UNDERMINE FOOD SECURITY IN NAUSORI
AREA

Name:

Age:

Race:

Occupation:

Gender: Male Female

Marital status: Married Single Divorced

1. What do you understand by the term food security crisis?

2. Is your community affected by this crisis?

3. Explain some major factors that affect food security in your area.

4. What is your say regarding food security crisis that is affecting many Pacific Island

nations?

5. Are there measures taken by you to address the issue? If so, elaborate more about it.

6. Has the government approached to the community to help people regarding the crisis?

Yes No

If yes, please explain the actions taken by the government.

7. What are your expectations from the government?

8. Any other comments you would like to make?

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