A new study examines the effectiveness of Brazil’s food security policies between 2012 and 2022, highlighting potential shortcomings and the need for alternative approaches.

Ensuring access to adequate food is a fundamental human right. In Brazil, various public policies have been implemented to address this issue. However, a recent study questions the effectiveness of these policies in achieving long-term food security.

The Right to Food: A Focus on Policy Effectiveness

The study investigates the impact of Brazilian food security policies on the country’s overall nutritional well-being. It delves into the period between 2012 and 2022, a critical decade in Brazil’s food security journey.

Methodology: Examining Policies and Outcomes

To understand the effectiveness of these policies, researchers employed a mixed-method approach. This involved:

• Hypothetical-deductive method: This method tests a hypothesis based on existing theories about public policy cycles.
• Bibliographical and documentary research: Researchers analyzed existing literature and government documents related to food security policies.
• Theory of the cycle of public policies: This framework provided a lens to examine the development, implementation, and potential decline of food security policies.

A Weakening Policy Landscape

The study’s findings reveal a concerning trend. Public food security policies, initially developed during the period of analysis, appear to have been gradually weakened over time. Notably, the research suggests that between 2019 and 2022, the Brazilian government actively discouraged the implementation of these policies.

The Disjointed Impact: Food Insecurity Persists

This weakening of food security policies coincides with a period of economic crisis and the global COVID-19 pandemic. The study concludes that Brazil currently faces a situation of food insecurity, with a significant portion of the population experiencing hunger. The disjointed nature of the implemented policies is identified as a contributing factor.

Urban Agriculture: A Potential Alternative

The study goes beyond simply identifying shortcomings. It also explores alternative approaches to food security, such as urban agriculture. This practice involves cultivating food within urban areas and can be adopted by communities themselves.

Conclusion: A Call for Reassessment and Diversification

The study’s findings highlight the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of Brazil’s food security policies. Strengthening existing policies while exploring alternative solutions, like urban agriculture, is crucial to ensuring long-term food security and access to adequate nutrition for all Brazilians.

By acknowledging the limitations of current approaches and embracing innovative solutions, Brazil can move towards a future where food security is not a privilege but a guaranteed right for all its citizens.

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Ana Tereza Souza Domingos, Carolina Oliveira Mesquita, Emiliano Lobo de Godoi and Thiago Augusto Mendes. Brazil’s Return to the Hunger Map: An Analysis of Public Policies and Effective Measures for Food Security. Laws 2023, 12(6), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12060090