SDPI/NCCR Funded Research Project
Food Security, Livelihood and Social Exclusion
in the Resource Scarce Areas of Northwest
Pakistan
The Team

P.I.
Dr. Babar Shahbaz

Co. P.I.
Prof. Dr. Tanvir Ali


Research Associate (Ph.D. student)
Research Assistants (M.Sc. Hons. Students)

Backstopping:
SDPI & Zurich University
State of the Research / Review of Literature

Poverty is multidimensional

The debates surrounding sustainable livelihoods recognise the
diversity of activities in which people are involved

Institutional and policy reforms targeting sustainable rural
development offer increased opportunities for some groups of
society, who can invest in better livelihoods, other (poor and
marginalized) may suffer from exclusion and increased vulnerability

In marginal and resource-poor areas, this quest for livelihoods
security (and access to livelihood assets) takes place in a context
where opportunities for improving livelihoods are scarce – which in
turn leads (again) to social exclusion for some groups
State of the Research / Review of Literature

There is a close relationship between poverty, food
insecurity and violent conflicts
Research gaps

Multidimensionality of poverty, livelihoods and
vulnerability; & linkages with (natural) resource and food
scarcity

the processes and outcomes regarding competition on
(alternative) opportunities to improve livelihoods –
especially in marginal and resource-poor areas.

how contestations around scarce opportunities for
livelihood diversifications can lead to conflicts and
inclusion/exclusion

Neo-liberal reforms, social safety nets, decentralisations
etc. are causing major changes in rural life; they offer
opportunities to some, while excluding others
Livelihood futures in resource scarce areas
Hypothesis

The quest by the rural people for alternative (non-natural
resource based) livelihood strategies and alternative means
for food security lead to, or enhance conflicts, unequal power
relations and exclusion/marginality for certain social groups
Objectives

Objective 1:To examine the livelihood patterns, state
of food security and natural resource in the study
regions
◦ What are the livelihood strategies practised over time?
◦ What is the state of food security and of the endowment of
natural resources in the study regions (at intra- and interhousehold level)?
◦ Are there any disparities or exclusions (for example on the
basis of gender, ethnicity etc.) in the context of food security
and in the natural resources entitlements in the study regions?

Objective 2:To identify and examine livelihood alternatives
options, support structures and access of people to these
options
◦ What are the alternative and innovative livelihood options (or
opportunities) and support structures available
◦ Who has access to these opportunities and is able to exploit the
alternative livelihood opportunities and who is excluded from
mainstream development?
◦ How are the national and regional policies dealing with the livelihood
insecurities, exclusion and social conflict issues?

Objective 3: Getting research into practice
◦ What are the main policy messages emerged out of research?
◦ How can we provide policy direction to emerging social safety
networks?
Resource-scarce Area
Climate Change
Dynamics of
Livelihood Patterns
Food
Security
Livelihood Options (non
NR)
Access
Exclusion / Inclusion
Natural
Resources
Support Structures
Conflicts
Local
Getting Research into Practice
Neo-liberal
policies
National Global
Methodology

Study Region: Mountainous Districts of KPK
Natural Resource Degradation
Deforestation
Soil erosion
Water scarcity
Climatic extremes
Development Disparities
District wise HDI in KPK
Red box: Mountainous districts,
So
Source SDPI-WFP
Source SDPI-WFP
(2009)
Methodology

Study Region: Mountainous Districts of KPK

Desk study and review of literature on the issues of livelihood
analysis, exclusion, marginality, food security etc. in the areas
selected for proposed research project

Food security assessment and analysis. Food availability, access,
absorption and food quality would be some of the indicators
selected for analysis.

Empirical data collection on livelihood patterns, social safety
nets and stakeholders’ analysis (power relations) in the
perspectives of livelihoods’ alternatives and support
structures.

Identification and analysis of the dynamics of inclusion,
exclusion, social tensions, and conflicts.

Analysis of data for individual case studies and
comparisons of the cases

Overall analysis and synthesis
Expected outputs and outcomes
PhD and M.Sc. studiues
 Institutional capacity building
 North-South collaboration
 Extending the network


Scientific papers and extension articles on food security
assessment, power relations, processes of inclusion and exclusion
from rural development policies and alternate livelihood options
etc.