Over the past half century, global food systems have undergone profound changes in response to significant environmental, economic and social shifts. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is no exception, with rapid political, demographic and environmental changes taking place over the past 50 years. IFPRI’s mission is to provide research and evidence to guide policymakers in charting a course through these changes.
BEP Seminar Series | Early Childhood Development: Nutrition and women’s Employment
The labor force participation rate for women in Egypt fell to 18% in 2023.[1] Among the major factors theorized to contribute to this low rate is women’s time spent on care work. While women’s childcare work is undervalued in national GDP accounting, early childhood is a critical stage in human development that shapes the trajectory for individuals’ health, learning, and overall wellbeing throughout their lives. This seminar will bring together completed and emerging research on drivers of women’s employment and time use on the one hand with research and policy discussion regarding early childhood nutrition, nurseries, breastfeeding, and early childhood education.
NEW PUBLICATION: Would you rather? Household choice between cash transfers or an economic inclusion program
We study households’ choice between continued cash transfers and a new economic inclusion program—two global prevalent social protection programs—offered by the Egyptian government. Lower-than-expected early adoption of the new program is correlated with differing perceptions on its design
Solar Irrigation in Yemen: Promising Impacts Several Months Post Implementation
Technical support component of the intervention was in the form of technical training through agronomists and linking the beneficiaries with other market players such as input suppliers and microfinance institutions. Beneficiaries received technical training on the components and operation of solar-powered water pumps, including the different types available and their respective advantages and disadvantages, and the daily and periodic maintenance required to keep solar-powered pumps functioning optimally
Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Nutrition: The MENA Launch of IFPRI’s 2024 Global Food Policy Report
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) 2024 Global Food Policy Report (GFPR)outlines strategies to improve diet quality and nutrition in low-and middle-income countries. It highlights the necessity for diets that are beneficial for both individuals and the environment, examining demand-side strategies, cost-effectiveness, and the enhancement of food environments.. The report serves as a platform to address the pressing challenges faced by the world today, underscoring the significance of healthy diets in combating all forms of malnutrition. Malnutrition remains a major issue, significantly affecting children and leading to conditions such as obesity and various diseases. Its effects are felt both in the short and long term, resulting in numerous deaths attributed to malnutrition. In recent years, there has been a growing commitment to improving nutrition. Accordingly, the report seeks to identify sustainable, healthy diets—those that provide essential nutrients for a healthy life while also considering environmental impacts.
