WORLD AIDS DAY.... Role of agriculture in combating HIV/AIDS

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

MDG 6 aims to combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases. HIV, malaria and other diseases have a direct and indirect impact on rural development, agricultural productivity and food and nutrition security. At the same time, food and nutrition insecurity and malnutrition can increase vulnerability to disease. FAO supports policy makers and programme planners to incorporate HIV, malaria and other disease considerations into food, nutrition and agriculture policies and programmes.

FAO promotes awareness among key actors in the food and agriculture sector on the impacts of HIV on food security and agriculture, while advocating for multisectoral responses to the epidemic. FAO’s programmes to enhance the access of people with HIV/AIDs to adequate and nutritious diets include home and community gardening projects, nutrition education and communication, and local training. Field projects use a mix of interventions including food provisions, labour- and time-saving technologies and microfinance to help support food production and diversification; and technical assistance to household gardening projects in HIV/AIDS affected communities. FAO also supports projects that encourage more HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children to attend school, The FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease (ECTAD) addresses livestock epidemics with major economic, social and public health impacts