29 trained in analysis of food insecurity data 

Twenty-nine participants from the Bureau of Statistics, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and Agriculture and Finance Ministries benefited from a training exercise earlier this week in analysing data using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).
Held from Tuesday to Thursday at the Bureau’s Head office in Georgetown, this training was done in collaboration between the Bureau and FAO.
FAO developed the FIES to measure the severity of food insecurity at the household and/or individual level in a given population. It is computed using a set of eight questions about experiences related to lack of access to food.
The Bureau incorporated the FIES module in its Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted in April 2022 and FAO has supported the agency with training and data analysis geared towards estimating the prevalence of food insecurity.
Facilitated by the FAO, participants were provided with a comprehensive understanding—including methodologies, data collection techniques, and interpretation–of the FIES and Sustainable Development Goal 2.1.2 Indicator analysis, with the SDG goal addressing the elimination of hunger by 2030.
Personnel were trained to utilise these tools to assess food insecurity at various levels and identify vulnerable populations, which will support evidence-based policies and interventions to combat hunger.
The overarching objective of the training was to introduce the FIES analytic protocol, especially to calculate the prevalence of moderate-severe and severe food insecurity in the context of the Rasch model, which is loosely a mathematical model that helps to quantify unobservable human conditions.
FAO Country Representative, Dr Gillian Smith noted that the training programme aimed to bridge the knowledge gap and empower individuals and organisations with the tools and expertise needed to tackle food insecurity effectively.
Chief Statistician Errol La Cruez emphasised the importance of data collection and analysis and the use of FIES and other tools, to enhance monitoring and reporting on the SDGs.
He noted that through reporting and analysis on Indicator 2.1.2, targeted solutions can be developed towards eradicating hunger by 2030.
As food insecurity continues to be a rising concern given the cost-of-living crisis, the Government has been making active efforts to develop the country’s agriculture sector as it continues to take the lead in reducing the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.