Report to the Government of Surinam on food and nutrition in Surinam

Economic changes had serious negative effects on the GDP and cost of living in Surinam. Surinam experienced negative growth rates of 10 per cent. Food imports and prices increased considerably and the government began import restrictions and agricultural production incentives. Still this could not prevent a decline in the overall food availability. The share of agriculture in the GDP is low. Long range planning in food and nutrition is needed. Food Balance Sheets for 1969-1973 were prepared with available data. Weak agricultural and nutritional statistics required many assumptions and estimates. Household Budget Data dated until 1968\69 and the National Dietary Survey until 1952. Only scattered nutritional studies existed. Long range nutritional planning requires projection of supply and future food demand. Better data are needed and therefore recommended. Particularly a national food consumption/household budget survey is being supported. The available 1972 Food Balance Sheets should serve as the basis for the demand projections. Supply projections will be based on the Food Balance Sheets and Government's import substitution plans