Sergipe leads the food insecurity ranking, points out IBGE | Sergipe

Sergipe is the state with the most food insecurity, according to data from PNAD Continuous Food Security in 2023, released this Thursday (25). More than 50.6% of households face the problem at some level, which corresponds to 1.206 million people. The state is followed by Pará, Amazonas, Maranhão and Piauí.

The data showed that the state leads the ranking of mild food insecurity (32.1%) with around 766 thousand people in this situation and moderate (13.2%) with approximately 314 thousand people. The number of people passing through severe food insecurity, is 126 thousand people representing 5.3% of the population. 49 4% were in food securitywhich corresponds to 1.176 million people.

The research on food security was carried out through a partnership between IBGE and the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Combating Hunger and had as a methodological reference the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA), which allows the identification and classification of households according to the level of food security of their residents.

The EBIA is used as a direct measure of the perception of food insecurity at the household level. The IBGE, responsible for the survey, classifies food insecurity into three levels:

• Mild food insecurity: lack of quality in food and a certain concern or uncertainty regarding access to food in the future.
• Moderate food insecurity: lack of quality and a reduction in the quantity of food among adults.
• Severe food insecurity: lack of quality and reduction in the quantity of food also among children. In this situation, hunger becomes an experience lived at home.

Food security is classified as full and regular access to quality food, in sufficient quantity, without compromising access to other essential needs.

The Government of Sergipe reported that it is working to combat hunger and promote regular access to quality food in sufficient quantity for the population. In 2023, it promoted the restructuring of the Food Acquisition Program (PAA), of Restaurante Popular Padre Pedro and the bidding for the execution of the Prato do Povo Program, covering 21 municipalities in Sergipe, with a lower Human Development Index (HDI).

Currently the state has developed the following: Food Banks; Community Kitchens; Family Farming Centers; Agroecological Gardens, in addition to the Cisternas Program. In addition to expanding the Prato do Povo Program to more municipalities.