SDPI/NCCR Funded Research Project Food Security, Livelihood and Social Exclusion in the Resource Scarce Areas of Northwest Pakistan.

SDPI/NCCR Funded Research ProjectSDPI/NCCR Funded Research Project

Food Security, Livelihood and Social Food Security, Livelihood and Social Exclusion in the Resource Scarce Areas Exclusion in the Resource Scarce Areas

of Northwest Pakistanof Northwest Pakistan

The Team The Team

P.I. Dr. Babar Shahbaz

Co. P.I. Prof. Dr. Tanvir Ali

Research Associate (Ph.D. student)Research Assistants (M.Sc. Hons. Students)

Backstopping: SDPI & Zurich University

State of the Research / Review of State of the Research / Review of LiteratureLiterature

Poverty is multidimensional

The debates surrounding sustainable livelihoods recognise the diversity of activities in which people are involved

Institutional and policy reforms targeting sustainable rural development offer increased opportunities for some groups of society, who can invest in better livelihoods, other (poor and marginalized) may suffer from exclusion and increased vulnerability

In marginal and resource-poor areas, this quest for livelihoods security (and access to livelihood assets) takes place in a context where opportunities for improving livelihoods are scarce – which in turn leads (again) to social exclusion for some groups

There is a close relationship between poverty, food insecurity and violent conflicts

State of the Research / Review of State of the Research / Review of LiteratureLiterature

Research gapsResearch gaps Multidimensionality of poverty, livelihoods and

vulnerability; & linkages with (natural) resource and food scarcity

the processes and outcomes regarding competition on (alternative) opportunities to improve livelihoods – especially in marginal and resource-poor areas.

how contestations around scarce opportunities for livelihood diversifications can lead to conflicts and inclusion/exclusion

Neo-liberal reforms, social safety nets, decentralisations etc. are causing major changes in rural life; they offer opportunities to some, while excluding others

Livelihood futures in resource scarce areasLivelihood futures in resource scarce areas

HypothesisThe quest by the rural people for alternative (non-natural

resource based) livelihood strategies and alternative means for food security lead to, or enhance conflicts, unequal power relations and exclusion/marginality for certain social groups

ObjectivesObjectives

Objective 1: To examine the livelihood patterns, state of food security and natural resource in the study regions◦ What are the livelihood strategies practised over time?◦ What is the state of food security and of the

endowment of natural resources in the study regions (at intra- and inter-household level)?

◦ Are there any disparities or exclusions (for example on the basis of gender, ethnicity etc.) in the context of food security and in the natural resources entitlements in the study regions?

Objective 2: To identify and examine livelihood alternatives options, support structures and access of people to these options ◦ What are the alternative and innovative livelihood options

(or opportunities) and support structures available

◦ Who has access to these opportunities and is able to exploit the alternative livelihood opportunities and who is excluded from mainstream development?

◦ How are the national and regional policies dealing with the livelihood insecurities, exclusion and social conflict issues?

Objective 3: Getting research into practice◦ What are the main policy messages emerged out of

research?◦ How can we provide policy direction to emerging social

safety networks?

Livelihood Options (non NR)

Dynamics of Livelihood Patterns

Food Security

Natural Resources

Support Structures

AccessExclusion / Inclusion

Conflicts

Local NationalGlobal

Neo-liberal policies

Climate Change

Getting Research into Practice

Resource-scarce Area

MethodologyMethodology

Study Region: Mountainous Districts of KPK

Natural Resource Degradation

Deforestation

Soil erosion

Water scarcity

Climatic extremes

Development Disparities

District wise HDI in KPK

Red box: Mountainous districts, Source: UNDP NHDR 2003

Source SDPI-WFP (2009)

Source SDPI-WFP (2009)

MethodologyMethodologyStudy Region: Mountainous Districts of KPK

Desk study and review of literature on the issues of livelihood analysis, exclusion, marginality, food security etc. in the areas selected for proposed research project

 Food security assessment and analysis. Food availability, access, absorption and

food quality would be some of the indicators selected for analysis. 

Empirical data collection on livelihood patterns, social safety nets and stakeholders’ analysis (power relations) in the perspectives of livelihoods’ alternatives and support structures.

  Identification and analysis of the dynamics of inclusion, exclusion, social tensions,

and conflicts. Analysis of data for individual case studies and comparisons of the cases Overall analysis and synthesis  

Identification and analysis of the dynamics of inclusion, exclusion, social tensions, and conflicts. 

Analysis of data for individual case studies and comparisons of the cases

Overall analysis and synthesis  

Expected outputs and Expected outputs and outcomesoutcomes

PhD and M.Sc. studiues Institutional capacity building North-South collaboration Extending the network

Scientific papers and extension articles on food security assessment, power relations, processes of inclusion and exclusion from rural development policies and alternate livelihood options etc.