Investing in micro-scale home and community food production has been identified by the World Bank as an important strategy towards strengthening island food security. Home and community food production can be stimulated and promoted through various ways. Creating financial benefits for households that produce home grown food or products may be an effective measure, alongside facilitating access to training materials, technical kits and other resources.
Water tariffs can vary significantly throughout the year due to seasonal dry and wet periods, with tariffs rising when less water is available or freshwater production requires more energy. Water tariffs are usually determined differently for residential, commercial and farming users. It may be interesting to explore if lower residential water tariffs for those households producing home grown foods (that access local markets) is an effective and feasible measure.
Explicit examples of such policy measures do not yet exist in the Caribbean region.
Feasibility & Local Applicability
Requires in-depth analysis on how this measure could work and how it is monitored. Household food production needs to be defined. Close collaboration with water providers and government institutions is needed. Economic analysis needs to provide insight into the viability of this measure.
Co-benefits
This measure can stimulate urban agriculture, which contributes to greener cities. Households producing food at home will be more resilient in the event of a disaster, when supplies and food distribution may be scarce. Increasing home grown foods can aid in lowering the dependance of imported food products. Furthermore, this measure can increase awareness of climate adaptation strategies as well as of health and the nutritional value of fresh produce.
Equity & Vulnerability Considerations
Unintended effects such as increased inequalities should be preempted and taken into account. Home or community based food production should be made accessible especially for vulnerable or lower-income households.
Costs
Low | Initial investment is needed in setting up viability research. Water providers need to be compensated for lower residential income.
Case studies & Examples
Literature
- World Bank. (2023). Curaçao Food Security Assessment - Enhancing the Resilience of Vulnerable Households while Boosting Sustainable Economic Growth (English). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group