Eric Crawford, MSU professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics and BHEARD project director, said food security implies that individuals have a sufficient supply of food as well as access to those supplies.

“Even if enough food exists at the regional, national or global level, various physical, economic or policy constraints may affect food distribution so that food needs are not met at the household, or intrahousehold, level,” Crawford said in an email.

Crawford said in general, upgrading food security means improving access to, availability and utilization of food.

According to a press release in the MSU News, the project is funded by a $7.3 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Food Security.

Crawford said he estimates the grant will be able to provide for about 30 to 35 master’s degrees and 10 to 12 doctorate students.

“The ultimate goal of the BHEARD program is to strengthen the capacity of agricultural research organizations in Asia and Africa,” Crawford said. “(Master’s degree and doctorate) training will strengthen the capacity of the individuals involved, but it is also important that their skills match the needs of their home countries and organizations and that their skills are applied in ways that contribute to people’s incomes and food security.”

The people chosen to do the research are not picked based on gender because in the U.S., women in the areas of technology and science are underrepresented, Crawford said.

“This means we are not taking full advantage of the skills and potential contributions of women in these fields,” Crawford said. “The same situation prevails in many countries in Africa and Asia, yet it is important that those countries make full use of their human resources.”