Increasing the Resilience of the Food Systems
In Islamic States in Face of Future Food Crises
21
are defined more widely as adjustments or interventions in response to reducing food insecurity
drivers, whether economic, political, social, or environmental. Effective mitigation starts with
contingency planning that sets specific thresholds—using data and indicators from monitoring—
and putting in place systems todeal with potential food security crises. Contingency plans identify
food security risks and the indicators bestsuited tomonitor them andpropose likely scenarios and
response options andmitigation measures for dealingwiththese risks based on the severityof the
risk, according to defined threshold. 52 For example, drought contingency planning focuses on
clarifying theresponsibilities of institutions, communities and individualstominimize financial and
emotional damage in the event of severe drought.53
Risk and vulnerability reduction measures/strategies aim to prevent or reduce the effect of
potential food insecurity drivers. Examples of these strategies include the adoption of agro-
forestry, conservation forestry, integrated pest management, seed security, sustainable water
management, secure land access tenure, and development of national stocks and regional
reserves. Agro-forestry merges trees with crops and livestock to diversify production and
prevent land degradation. Integrated pest management using pest -resistant crop varieties to
increase farming systems sustainability. Conservation agriculture decreases soil disturbance to
lessen the risk of erosion and helps in crop rotation, increasing yields of smallholder farmers in
countries vulnerable todrought. Seed securitymeasures ensure farming households have access
to good-quality seeds and planting materials of adapted crop varieties. Sustainable water
management encourages the adoption of best practices for water use and conservation, such as
rainwater harvesting, water storage and reuse, and irrigation efficiency. Secure land access and
tenure measures are pertinent to countries that have experienced substantial conflicts or
natural disasters, to enhance access to land.54 The development of national stocks and regional
reserves can provide a buffer against food production shocks on food price volatility and
mitigate their negative impact.55
Social protection encompasses government actions aimed at reducing the vulnerability of
people to risk, through the provision of assistance—with cash or in-kind insurance—and
inclusion of marginalized groups to improve access to both assistance and insurance .56 As an
example, social protection in response to drought includes providing emergency services and
assistance to minimize negative health impacts on people and meet their basic needs. It can
involve providing food aid for human or livestock consumption. In emergencies, though cash-
based assistance is more common as it has better reach and provides faster relief.57 Social
protection reduces the potential for developing negative coping strategies, which improves food
security and protects households’ assets. According toFAO, in 2016, more than 1.9 billion people
M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special Report ofWorking Groups I and II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY, USA, pp. 555-564.
52 FEWS. (2000, July 6). Framework for Food Crisis Contingency Planning and Response. Retrieved from
FEWS_Framework_for_food_crisis_July_2000.pdf
53 Muhua, George O., and John K. Waweru. (2017, June). Influence of Drought Mitigation Strategies on Food Security: A Case
of Laikipia East, Laikipia County, Kenya.” European ScientificJournal, 13(18), pp59-591.
54 FAO. (n.d.). Apply risk and vulnerability reductionmeasures. Retrieved from .
55 Fan, Shenggen, and Joanna Brzeska. (2014). Lowering Food Price Spikes for a Resilient Food System. International Food
Policy Research Institute (IFIPRI).
5 . (2012, February 1). Africa Human Development Report 2012: Towards
a Food Secure Future. Retrieved from
57 FAO. (2012). Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Challenges and Opportunities for the Food Sector. Retrieved from