Analytical Approach / Conceptual Models / Food Security Conceptual Model

Food Security Conceptual Model


The FSNAU bases its understanding of food, nutrition, and livelihood security on four key dimensions: Access, Availability, Utilization, and Stability. The FSNAU has developed a Food Security & Nutrition Analysis System (FSNAS) that holistically integrates both conceptual and analytical aspects of its work, and is underpinned by livelihoods analysis.

Key aspects of livelihoods analysis include an understanding of:

  • livelihood strategies (e.g., food/income sources, expenditures, coping strategies)
  • livelihood assets (human, financial, physical, natural, and social capital)
  • integrated sectoral analysis
  • multiple scales of analysis including macro-, meso-, and intrahousehold-level dynamics
  • proximate to underlying causes
  • resistance
  • resilience
  • risk management

A special emphasis of the FSNAU is the conceptual and analytical integration of food security and nutrition. FSNAU utilizes a wide range of research methods:-

  • nutritional anthropometry and dietary assessments
  • satellite imagery and geographic information systems
  • market analysis
  • household surveys
  • coping strategies index (CSI)
  • crop and livestock production surveys
  • focus groups and key informants
  • review of secondary data and reports
  • participatory research methods

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