Paragraph 4: Right to food The right to protection against hunger is addressed in the CSLP which outlines a set of strategies primarily aimed at combating hunger among the most vulnerable groups (women, young children, older persons without income). The protection of natural resources against destruction or contamination is provided for in sector-based legislation (Water Code, Mining Act, Livestock Act, Pastoral Act, Agropastoral policy Act). The Constitution recognizes and guarantees the civil, political and social rights of all citizens, without distinction on the basis of gender, religion or political affiliation, and consequently equal access to food. Based on the agropastoral policy Act, the Ministry of Agriculture implements an agricultural policy of diversification and sectoral development with the purpose of harnessing and rationalizing the use of natural agricultural resources including water resources, land and farming activities (wheat, corn, sorghum), and local fruit and vegetable production. Moreover, the Ministry is implementing an agricultural land tenure policy guaranteeing the fundamental right of farmers to own land. Article 1 of Ordinance nr. 83.127 on land reform stipulates: “the land belongs to the State and every Mauritanian, without distinction on the basis of race, gender or religion, may become an owner in part”. This provision has a twofold impact: the legislator, in the pursuit of equality and justice, recognizes for the first time in the country’s history the right to private ownership of land which was historically reserved for only certain categories of the population (traditional chiefs, masters of the land). This introduction of the right to land ownership in agriculture also aims to ensure the emancipation of population categories which were deprived of this fundamental right (serfs, sharecroppers, women, young people). In addition, the legislator is also pursuing an economic goal by setting the condition that, for agricultural land to be acquired, it must be developed. Lastly, agricultural development is a means of combatting poverty and a source of income for rural populations who have access to no other resources than those derived from the land. The Ministry of Agriculture has adopted measures to protect local markets and producers by encouraging family-based agriculture with the acquisition of local farmlands through GIES (economic and social interest groups) and the sale of their products at competitive prices. Outreach and counselling activities are also conducted targeting local producers who receive close supervision and training on techniques adapted to their needs. 41