FOOD SECURITY IN LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES: NUTRITIONAL AND ETHICAL PATHWAYS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Access to adequate, safe and nutritious food is a fundamental and universal human right. Although enough food is being produced to feed the global population, a substantial number of people are still facing hunger due to persistent food insecurity. Hunger and food insecurity are one of the major causes of malnutrition, especially in low-income rural areas. Furthermore, the widespread prevalence of poverty in rural areas exacerbates hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, rendering them highly vulnerable to these interconnected global issues. Therefore, confronting these issues in rural areas ensures sustainable rural development, which is crucial to global sustainability. This thesis seeks to address the aforementioned critical issues in low-income rural areas through a holistic approach guided by four key research questions. The thesis utilises a combination of experimental, quantitative and qualitative research methods and is structured into four independent chapters to address each question. Chapter One investigates the influence of seasonal temperature variation on the performance of slow sand filters in purifying water. Microbiological analysis, bacterial community profiling through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and challenge tests using Escherichia coli and MS2 bacteriophage were conducted to assess purification efficiency. This was carried out as a preliminary step for the implementation of slow sand filters in rural villages. Chapter Two evaluates the impact of deworming and specific nutrient supplementation interventions on anaemic women and children in rural India. Haemoglobin levels and anthropometric indices were monitored over four months to determine their impact on anaemia and nutritional status, respectively. Chapter Three explores the impact of matrilineal culture on women’s empowerment and gender equity within rural communities. Data from questionnaires and key informant interviews revealed the dynamics of gender roles and their contribution to social, economic and political aspects of development. Chapter Four synthesises insights from an integrative literature review to conceptualise the roles of communication and inclusive rural development in empowering local voices to achieve sustainable rural development. The findings of this thesis offer practical recommendations for improving water quality, tackling malnutrition, fostering gender equity and leveraging communication for inclusive rural development. All of these aspects contribute to the comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity, poverty and malnutrition for the sustainable development of rural areas.

La sicurezza alimentare è necessaria per raggiungere uno sviluppo rurale sostenibile. Partendo dalla nutrizione, questa tesi mette in evidenza la potabilizzazione dell'acqua e la relazione tra anemia e malnutrizione. A seguire, nel terzo capitolo vengono esaminate le dinamiche di genere relative all'emancipazione femminile, nel rispetto dei principi etici. Infine, il quarto capitolo si concentra sulla comunicazione e sulla necessità di dare potere alle voci locali nello sviluppo rurale.