O Programa Nacional de Cantinas Escolares em Guiné-Bissau: entre a luta contra a insegurança alimentar e a influência do mercado global

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the impact of the contribution of foreign resources to the National School Canteen Program (PNCE) and its promotion of Food and Nutrition Security (FNS). In order to meet the proposed objective, a qualitative approach was used, and the methodological tools were bibliographical and documentary research and semi-structured interviews. From the results obtained, it is clear that the ongoing political instability in Guinea-Bissau since its independence impacts on the implementation of effective public policies and their development. However, the PNCE can be analyzed from two perspectives: on the one hand, the program aims to combat school dropout and local food insecurity by providing adequate food, helping to reduce poverty and social inequalities. On the other hand, there is the inclusion of industrialized and processed food in school canteens from partner countries (for example, rice and sardines offered as “aid” by Japan and rice by the government of Correia de Sul), despite the fact that Guinea-Bissau is a country rich in fishing resources and has agricultural potential, suggesting that excessive dependence on foreign aid compromises a country's food sovereignty and development. Theoretically, the work contributes to the debate on the impact of foreign aid on the promotion of FNS, highlighting how foreign aid can both support and create a vicious circle and limit the sustainable development of countries in situations of vulnerability such as Guinea- Bissau. Methodologically, the combination of document sources and semi-structured interviews provides a holistic and critical view of the dynamics involved, allowing for a more complete analysis of the social, economic and political impacts associated with the program.