Global project 938-0702 · 1986–1990 · agriculture · Energy/Development International

Food needs assessments are necessary in programming food aid, as well as in forming broader development strategies. This manual describes a food needs assessment methodology based on a food balance sheet approach used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the FAO, and many others. Chapter 1 discusses strengths and weaknesses of the methodology, with specific reference to the use of the aggregate food balance sheet. Chapter 2 outlines the conceptual framework and parameters of the methodology. Equations are provided for estimating total consumption requirement, domestic food supply, import requirement, and food deficit or surplus. Chapter 3 provides documentation and equipment requirements for the accompanying software, which is available as a Lotus 1-2-3 template. Installation and loading instructions are presented, as well as a discussion of general software features, such as template modules, menus, printing, graphing, and troubleshooting. Finally, the user is guided through a sample assessment. Appendices include worksheets for a food needs assessment when no computer is available, a data checklist, sample food balance sheets, and crop calendars.

Source: DEC abstract, PN-ABB-175 (1988). The source's own text.