CTA Building the Evidence Base: Strengthening the Agriculture Nutrition

Nexus

J. A. FrancisSenior Programme Coordinator

Science & Technology Policy , CTA, The Netherlands 

- 6b people to feed; >800m hungry  & dwindling natural resource base;

- Stunting (161m), wasting  (51m) & micronutrient deficiencies (2b people) prevalent; 

- Rising obesity (500m adults) & chronic diseases; 

- High economic costs -  double burden 

Global food and nutrition challenge

The Challenge:Two different disciplines & impact pathwaysManaged by different ministries, departmentsDifferent indicators of successGenerally  accepted  as  important;  yet  neither receives high priority in government budgets

Agriculture & Nutrition

Evidence lacking on improving nutrition outcomes through agriculture

Areas of Focus Increasing    access  to nutritious (safe, quality) food Nutrition-sensitive design –  Assess  the  context, incorporate  nutrition  objectives,  track  appropriate indicators, develop HR & institutional capacity Equity –  Target  vulnerable,  empower  women, adequate policies Resilience  –  Diversification,  inter  and  multi-sectoral  and  programme  collaboration  & coordination

Applying a nutrition lens to Agr

EC, FAO, CTA, World Bank Group. 2014 (pg 9).

Applying a nutrition lens to Agr

EC, FAO, CTA, World Bank Group. 2014 (pg 9).

The CTA response

Strengthening Systems to optimize agriculture and nutrition outcomes

SSOANO

SSOANOGoal – To provide a knowledge base for

improving nutrition outcomes through agriculture/nutrition interventions that are co-owned by national stakeholders

Objectives - To contribute to (a) developing the evidence base and building capacity and skills and (b) building consensus and coherence and inclusive policy processes & programmation

Expected outcome - Better integration of nutrition priorities in agriculture and food security policy processes and programmes

Expected Impact - Improved nutrition outcomes through agriculture

SSOANO (2)Integrated systems approach – Target

universities/ national research organisations to assess local context, build capacity, document, engage stakeholders in joint identification, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of interventions as well as the documentation & communication of results and lessons learned.

SSOANO (3)

Key Domain Areas

Platforms – coordination & learningPolicies – understanding, integration,

update/changeResearch – analysis, pilot studies,

evaluation, key success factorsCapacity development – individual &

institutionalCommunication – Publication,

dissemination

SSOANO (4)Commission case studies: what is on the ground in

terms of policy, programmes, gaps, lessons to be learned (in consultation with partners)Africa wide study on aflatoxin (PACA)Country case studies (e.g CORAF/WECARD, NEPAD

Agency, RUFORUM)Contract lead agencies/consultants in; Burundi,

Cameroon, DRC, Ghana, Haiti Kiribati, Rwanda, Sudan, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Malawi, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, St Lucia, Suriname. Zambia (& Zimbabwe)

Why – To answer Key questions on context (policies & influencers, institutional arrangements, food and nutrition situation, most at risk / target groups, capacities, women’s engagement, opportunities for interventions)

SSOANO (5)

The Trickle Down Approach. Chung, 2012

PILOT Key INTERVENTIONS

SSOANO (6)Key Questions – Pilot interventions

How to design agricultural interventions for maximizing nutrition outcomes? What indicators?

How to engage communities in determining their own outcomes?

How do reductions in agri/food efficiencies strengthen the agriculture/ nutrition nexus?

How can various ministries and disciplines be mobilized around an agriculture/nutrition agenda? What policies, platforms, mechanisms?

Why – We need evidence on how to strengthen the ag/nutrition links and identify the most effective options at the least costs

EC, FAO, CTA, WBG (2014)

CTA Commitment

CTA has committed to “work with a wide range of stakeholder of stakeholders, particularly farmers’ organizations, youth and women’s groups and research and education institutions in the development of policies, strategies and inclusive value chains that advance food security and nutrition and support capacity building, awareness raising and knowledge sharing to promote nutrition sensitive agriculture through its extensive networks”. EC,FAO,CTA,WBG (2014: pg 3)

Thank you/ MerciAgriculture/ nutrition:

Balancing for improved outcomes