Introduction to food security: concepts and definitions. Types of food insecurity, and components of household food security. Determinants and dimensions of food security. Gender relations in food security. Assessment and identification of food insecure households: risk mapping, monitoring and early warning systems. Food and nutrition policies in developing countries. Role of nutrition in the national economy – malnutrition as both cause and result of underdevelopment. Actors in the food and nutrition policy including the roles and responsibilities of public and private sectors. Types and sources of data for decision making and nutrition planning. The influence of the various actors in the policy making process. Influence of other policies in the country on food and nutrition. Planning and designing of programmes to alleviate food insecurity and nutrition problems including organizational and institutional issues and implications.