Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Household food security is the application of this concept to the family level, with individuals within households as the focus of concern. Access to an adequate supply of food is the most basic of human needs and rights. Ensuring that their people have enough to eat is not only the moral duty of governments, it is also in their economic and political interest. Hungry people cannot work; hungry children cannot learn. Without a well-nourished, healthy population, development is impossible.

Food security depends on three factors: availability, stability and accessibility of food supplies. In order to achieve national food security, a country must be able to grow sufficient food or have enough foreign exchange enabling to import food. Similarly, households must have sufficient income to purchase the food they are unable to grow for themselves. The basic causes of food insecurity are low productivity in agriculture combined with fluctuations in food supply and low incomes.

Unfortunately, hunger has been on the rise for the past decade and the current economic turmoil is widening undernourishment and poverty around the world.

In this respect, the aim of the National Programmes for Food Security (NPFS) is to improve food security within poor households at national level with the following characteristics:

National ownership
The programme is the responsibility of the participating country. Its success depends on the willingness of governments to establish a political, social and economic climate conducive to agricultural growth.

Focus on areas and foods with high potential
Areas known to have good possibilities for increased productivity are targeted in order to realise yield potential effectively with little risk. Priority is given to increasing the production of staple food crops, but other foods suited to local conditions and markets are also included as part of an integrated farming systems approach.

Participatory philosophy
All those who have a role, whether at the local, national, regional or international level, are involved in the programme in order to ensure success.

Environmental awareness and sensitivity
Biodiversity, natural resources and the existing ecosystem are protected by promoting production techniques that do not harm the environment and by reducing pressure on marginal areas with low potential which are often ecologically vulnerable.

Regard for the role of woman
Particular attention is paid to involve women as farmers and agricultural workers.