Richard Longhurst

Agricultural strategies, food and nutrition: issues and opportunities.

Agricultural development in developing countries has not lead to significant improvements in the consumption and nutrition of poor people. One reason is that, in the design of policy and projects, consumption objectives have not been incorporated explicitly. Far greater understanding is required of the way rural people plan their strategies for obtaining household food; external assistance should build on these activities rather than undermine them. This has often occurred in the past. Five aspects of agricultural policy are considered which, if incorporated into planning and implemented, should lead to improvements in food consumption and nutrition. These are: first, a review of the way in which export crops should be introduced and promoted so that food security is not adversely affected; second, a discussion of the need to give greater attention to what are known as “minor” crops; third, a discussion of the importance of incorporating seasonality into planning; fourth, a review of the importance of women; and fifth, an examination of the ways in which crop breeding research should involve nutritional concerns. The paper concludes with some observations from Kenya whereby agricultural sector planning could incorporate nutritional objectives.

Introduction: Universal Development – Research and Practice

Development policy, practice and research have largely adhered to a North–South, geographic and aid-driven view of the world. Over the last ten years the approaches of South–South cooperation have also come to prominence. However, more attention is being paid to universal development based on the assumption that development challenges are as relevant for the North as for the South, with many common problems. More needs to be known about the nature of learning from South to North in order to complete the paradigm of universal development. The articles chosen for this Archive Collection are addressed to how South and North approaches to development can be interlinked: they show that this topic has been debated for many years. With the advent of the Sustainable Development Goals, there is now a framework in place with which to address a universal approach to development.

Has Universal Development Come of Age

Development policy, practice and research have largely adhered to a North–South, geographic and aid-driven view of the world. Over the last ten years the approaches of South–South cooperation have also come to prominence. However, more attention is being paid to universal development based on the assumption that development challenges are as relevant for the North as for the South, with many common problems. Discrimination, exclusion and intolerance occur everywhere. Many people in developed and developing countries suffer from the same problems, and sharing ways of dealing with these problems is likely to improve policies. This IDS Bulletin reviews research previously published in IDS Bulletins and other, selected research on universal development, with examples of practice, and looks ahead to suggest how ideas could be applied generally to make development studies and practice more universal. With the advent of the Sustainable Development Goals, there is now a framework in place with which to address a universal approach to development. The universal development approach is particularly relevant against the backdrop of shared and interconnected challenges such as climate change, resource degradation, migration and trafficking, shared technology, and growing inequality. The articles chosen for this IDS Bulletin show how South and North approaches to development can be interlinked. They also demonstrate that this topic has been debated for many years. The selected articles cover the last 40 years and while the importance of the lessons they provide are generally relevant in the present day, obviously context has changed. Therefore, where possible, a ‘then’ and ‘now’ perspective is addressed.