GTZ is now GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Since 1 January 2011, GIZ has brought together under one roof the long-standing expertise of DED, GTZ and Inwent. For further information, go to www.giz.de.
Since 1 January 2011, GIZ has brought together under one roof the long-standing expertise of DED, GTZ and Inwent. For further information, go to www.giz.de.
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Contact person
For further information please contact:
Ingo Melchers Tel: +49 228 24934-250 Fax: Email: ingo.melchers@giz.de 
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ResultsBetter coordination in the Working Group on Global Food SecurityAt the initiative of the Agricultural Policy and Food Security Advisory Programme, an information group on global food security was set up in April 2001. This forum facilitated the first-ever regular exchange of information between German federal ministries, state implementing organisations, non-governmental organisations and research institutions on issues relating to food security in developing countries. With support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV), which alternate as host, the information group soon evolved into the Working Group on Global Food Security (AKWE). The working group not only focuses on exchanging information; it is also a forum for furthering dialogue among experts and for coordinating joint measures to promote global food security and combat hunger. The Agricultural Policy and Food Security Advisory Programme acts as the working group’s secretariat. Integrated food security projects in South-East AsiaJust three years after the launch of the integrated food security projects in Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam, initial successes were already visible. The number of chronically undernourished children under five years of age, for example, had fallen from 43 to 37 per cent in Cambodia and from 70 to 50 per cent in Laos. At the same time, rice production in the project area in Cambodia increased by 40 per cent, in Viet Nam by 66 per cent and in Laos by a full 85 per cent following the introduction of new cultivation techniques, the use of fertilisers and better quality seed. The local people’s diet improved not only in terms of quantity: fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish also appeared on the table more often. The cultivation of new commercial crops such as sugar cane, spices, coffee and fruit improved household income. Roads were repaired, basic health services were introduced in cooperation with the partners, and access to clean drinking water was improved. Together with the better diet, this has resulted in substantial improvement in the health and nutritional status of the population in just a few years. The Nile perch, also known as the Victoria perch, is a favourite edible fish in Europe and Asia. In Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the livelihoods of some 150,000 local fishers around Lake Victoria depend on this species. On behalf of BMZ, GIZ (former GTZ), in cooperation with the private sector in Bukoba (Tanzania), is supporting a pilot project for eco-labelling Nile perch. Together with Naturland, a Germany-based certifier of organic products, standards have been developed to guarantee the sustainability of Nile perch fisheries in Lake Victoria. This is helping to improve resource management, secure the livelihoods of fishery-dependent communities, and improve market access. In addition to the normal price, the self-governing fishing communities also receive a bonus for fish certified under the scheme, and can therefore fund and manage other development projects to improve living conditions in these communities. This is the first example of small-scale fishery in any developing country to undergo successful certification. |