With our work, we are supporting our partners in the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, which contributes to improved food security for poorer sectors of society. We are addressing this issue at two levels.

Partner countries

GIZ supports the partner countries of German development cooperation through a range of projects and programmes that aim to establish the necessary foundation for food security and to tackle the causes of hunger. The following are key areas:    

• promoting secure access to land for poor sectors of society, 
• improving irrigation and water management systems,
• promoting market access and the income situation of small farmers,
• combating corruption and promoting good governance,
• providing development-oriented emergency and transitional aid after civil wars and natural disasters,
• advising on the sustainable management of natural resources,
• promoting agricultural research and the development of strategies to adapt agriculture to climate change and
• advising on food security aspects of bioenergy policies.

German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

GIZ advises BMZ on shaping development-oriented agricultural policies. In doing so, we are guided by the German Government’s development strategies, especially BMZ’s Policy Paper entitled ‘Rural Development – a Reference Framework’. With our advisory services, we are helping to fulfil Germany’s commitments to realising the right to food. The following are key areas:    

• analysis of causes of food insecurity and current trends,
• recommended responses to current challenges (e.g. bioenergy, land grabbing, European agricultural policy) and
• expert opinions on national and international strategies and policies on food security.  

Human rights principles: the model for our work

Our work is modelled on the human rights-based approach. Alongside the Voluntary Guidelines on the Right to adequate Food, we base our work in relation to the right to food on the following human rights principles:  

• Transparency: The public has a right to clear information from governments and organisations about their strategies, programmes and financial commitments, as well as evaluations of their activities.
• Participation: Stakeholder groups in society have the right to participate actively in policy-making and decision-making which affect them, and in strategy development, implementation and evaluation of programmes.
• Empowerment: If people are to play an active role in realising their rights, they must have a political forum for their participation, as well as legitimate processes and mechanisms through which to articulate and enforce their entitlements.
• Non-discrimination: Discrimination means treating people unequally without any objective cause. All programme measures aim to dismantle existing social inequality, discrimination and disadvantage (such as that suffered by women or ethnic groups) and help create more equality. Generally, this implies a focus on ‘vulnerable’ groups. Measures are designed to improve the situation of particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and build their capacities to articulate and enforce their rights.
• Accountability: Unless actors are accountable for their acts or omissions, the rights enshrined on paper have no real effect. Accountability mechanisms can be administrative (e.g. ombudspersons, complaints desks), judicial or alternative (traditional mechanisms).