Food Security and Forest Access in the Colombian and Peruvian Amazon
Alexander Buritica, Martha Vanegas, Deborah Pierce, Andres Espada, Marcela Quintero
Food security is vital for a decent life, particularly in early development and with lasting adult health effects. Forests have historically played a key role by offering essential ecosystem services and a direct source of diverse, nutrient-rich foods and medicines. This study explores the link between forests and food security in Colombian and Peruvian Amazon communities. We analyze the four dimensions of food security-availability, stability, access, and utilization-within the context of forest access. Panel data from households in each country was collected to calculate a multidimensional household-level food security index. Our findings reveal that households with forest access have higher food security. However, the impact varies across countries and communities. In Colombia, Indigenous households benefit more from forest access, while Peru showcases distinct dynamics due to a higher share of mestizo communities. Forest cover, biodiversity, ethnicity, and accessibility shape this relationship. Indigenous communities rely on less degraded forests for food security, underscoring the importance of forest preservation for ancestral practices and sustenance. These findings suggest that the impact of forests on food security depends on the quality of the forest, the ethnicity of those accessing the forest, and the proximity and ease of accessing the forest.
Event: World Bank Land Conference 2024 - Washington
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