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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

The objectives, purposes and functions of

Food Security Information Systems and Networks (FSIS/FSIN)

Magdi Latif Regional Knowledge and Information Management Officer

Advocacy, Partnership and Capacity Development Department

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

• This lesson will help you understand the objectives, purposes and functions of food security information systems (FSIS).

• It will also introduce a basic framework to describe: - the various components of an information system, and - how they combine to produce outputs that meet the needs of decision makers.

INTRODUCTION

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Ensuring the food security of its citizens is an important development goal for all governments. Therefore, decision makers need to know: who are the food insecure? what are the nature and causes of their food insecurity?

FSIS AND THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

The objective of a FSIS is to provide well analysed food security information to decision makers.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

The principle objective of all information systems is to support the decision making process.

FSIS AND THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

The effectiveness of a food security information system depends on: the analytical and communication capacity of the

staff running the system; good institutional support; appropriate methods; and adequate information technology, including

computer hardware and software.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

These users may need to apply this information for a range of different decision making purposes.

Food security is a complex subject:

FSIS AND THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Many different information systems may contribute data and analysis for building a comprehensive understanding of food security.

Food security information must be well communicated to a wide range of potential users.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Analysts running a FSIS conduct a series of steps resulting in improved decision making:

DATA

INFORMATION

KNOWLEDGE

ANALYSIS

COMMUNICATION

FSIS AND THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

3. The information must be communicated through appropriate reports. Information that is assimilated by users becomes knowledge.

2. This data is analyzed to make it useful for decision makers. Analyzed data is called information.

1. Data is collected and managed using appropriate survey and data management techniques and software.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Data is the raw material for an information system. It consists of unanalyzed facts or figures.

DATA

DATA COLLECTION AND DATA MANAGEMENT

Data needs to be carefully stored and managed within an information system.

Data should be processed, quality controlled and stored in an accessible format for future analysis.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

People running an information system may be directly responsible for collecting data. We distinguish between two kinds of data:

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA

Secondary data Data that have previously gathered by another system (for purposes other than addressing the issue or problem currently under study).

Primary data

Data collected by the system specifically for the research project.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Food security can be measured in its four dimensions:

AVAILABILITY

ACCESS

UTILIZATION

STABILITY

Measures whether a wide variety of food is available at farms and in local markets.

Measures whether people have enough money to purchase a variety of foods.

Refers to the capacity of the human body to absorb the food eaten in an environment that supplies appropriate care, clean water, good sanitation and health services.

Refers to the vulnerability context and risk factors that impact negatively on food availability or access to food.

DATA AND THE FOOD SECURITY DIMENSIONS

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Each factor or variable is measured by its corresponding indicators. Some variables such as food production may be measured or

estimated directly. However, other variables are measured by the use of proxy or indirect indicators.

For example, it is extremely difficult to measure actual food intake. Therefore, we may measure proxy indicators such as dietary diversity or number of meals per day. The assumption is that these proxies are closely correlated with the variable we wish to measure.

Example: Using proxy indicators

DATA AND THE FOOD SECURITY DIMENSIONS

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

ANALYSIS: TRANSFORMING DATA INTO INFORMATION

A good food security analyst will use the available data to answer a series of questions, such as:

What is the current situation?

Is there a problem? What is it?

What is the evidence?

What can we say about underlying

causes?

What could be done about the

problem? Are there options?

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

ANALYSIS: TRANSFORMING DATA INTO INFORMATION

Food security analysts transform the mass of raw data into information, to support managers in their decision making.

DATA

INFORMATION

ANALYSIS

Information is analysed data put into a meaningful and useful context.

!

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

COMMUNICATION, USERS, APPLICATIONS

Only when the target audience understands and assimilates the information, such information becomes knowledge. That is why an FSIS has to be very conscious about how best to communicate the analysis and information that they produce.

INFORMATION

KNOWLEDGE

COMMUNICATION

Formats and means of communication include: written reports, verbal briefings and presentations, or media (internet, news media).

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

COMMUNICATION, USERS, APPLICATIONS

Often, too little of the analysis provided is utilized by decision makers. How to solve this problem? To improve the uptake of information, a FSIS must actively support and publicise the recommendations made. This requires effective communication and advocacy.

Also, the FSIS need ongoing monitoring of how and if information is being used.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Policy-makers

COMMUNICATION, USERS, APPLICATIONS

The information and reports generated by a FSIS will be useful to several stakeholder groups in different sectors of society. Users of FSIS products include:

Elected representatives

Government officials and technical staff

Local government authorities

Civil society

Private sector and parastatal organizations

The donor community

Researchers

Training institutions

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Often, the key objective of an FSIS is: supporting the planning and targeted implementation of food security programmes and projects. Information is also needed for: monitoring and evaluation, and to help design, improve, or re-design ongoing programmes.

COMMUNICATION, USERS, APPLICATIONS

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

Here is an example of an FSIS that provides information relevant to programme design and implementation.

Example: Early Warning Systems

Recommendations on recovery or rehabilitation interventions that rebuild livelihoods and food security.

An Early Warning System (EWS) is a specific type of FSIS which provides timely notice of impending acute food security crises. Depending on the stage of the crisis, the EWS may provide recommendations:

In ‘normal’ conditions

As a crisis builds

As the crisis abates

Recommendations on how to build the coping capacity and resilience of communities before a ‘shock’ occurs.

Recommendations on preparedness and possible disaster mitigation or emergency response programmes.

COMMUNICATION, USERS, APPLICATIONS

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

FSIS also have an important role in assisting policy makers. FSIS can support the various steps of a policy making process.

MONITORING

& IMPACT

ASSESSMENT

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

POLICY DIALOGUE/ REVIEW

ANALYSIS OF POLICY OPTIONS

Policy Change

Cycle

COMMUNICATION, USERS, APPLICATIONS

For more information, read the annex “Stakeholder Analysis”

In a number of countries, improved information has led to the introduction of new legislation and specific programmes directed towards food-insecure population groups.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

SUMMARY

To support decision making, food security analysts in charge of Food Security Information Systems conduct the following activities:

• They collect and manage data which consists of unanalyzed facts or figures;

data is collected either directly or from secondary sources.

• The data is analyzed and interpreted to create information designed to stimulate action.

• This information is disseminated and communicated to users. These users may be located in different organizations and appropriate institutional relationships are needed.

• When assimilated by decision makers and implemented, the information becomes knowledge.

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Unit: Food Security Information Systems and Networks Food Security Information Systems

At the end of this lesson you will be able to: understand the main objectives of a food

security information system (FSIS); understand how key components of food

security information systems support decision making processes; understand the main purposes for which food

security analysis is conducted; and identify the main users of and applications

for food security information products.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES