This project is funded byThe European Commission

Project implemented byHTSPE Ltd & ETI Consulting

European Commission

Study for the Mainstreaming of Nutrition Outcomes in Agricultural Growth Programme (AGP 2) in Ethiopia

Final Report

14 January 2015

Project n°2014/343172/1

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HTSPE LimitedThamesfield HouseBoundary Way Hemel HempsteadHerts HP2 7SRUnited KingdomTel: +44 (0) 1442 202400Fax: +44 (0) 1442 266438Email: htspe@htspe.comWeb: www.htspe.com

ETI Consulting43 rue d'Aboukir75002 ParisFranceTel: + 33 1 42 22 93 30Fax: + 33 1 42 22 85 16Email: contact@eti-consulting.netWebsite: www.eti-consulting.net

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Study for the Mainstreaming of Nutrition Outcomes in Agricultural Growth Programme (AGP 2) in Ethiopia

Request n° 2014/343172/1

Final Report

14 January 2015

Team leader Expert in applied nutrition: Dr. Anne-Marie B. MayerExpert 2 in applied nutrition: Mr. Dawit Hagos Baheru

DISCLAIMER

This report has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The views expressed herein are those of the consultants and therefore in no way reflect the official opinion of the European Commission

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Acknowledgements

The Consultants would like to thank the Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health in Ethiopia for sharing their insights with us; the Nutrition Task Force of the Agriculture Growth Project that was formed to guide the process of the assignment and the AGP Federal Coordination Unit and Technical Committee of AGP for their feedback on the drafts and presentations; the Regional, Woreda and Kebele staff working on the AGP for their guidance and information shared, the communities in the kebeles visited for sharing their time for interviews.

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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................................4TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................................5GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS..........................................................................................................7EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................91. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................12

1.1. Project objectives and purpose...............................................................................................121.2. Agricultural Growth Programme (2011-2015)..........................................................................13

1.2.1. Beneficiaries....................................................................................................................131.2.2. Allied programmes to AGP..............................................................................................14In addition, three aligned projects of AGP1 have components related to nutrition outcomes:. .141.2.3. AGP 2: the second phase of the Agriculture Growth Project...........................................14

1.3. Situational analysis and synthesis...........................................................................................141.3.1. Diversity of agricultural production in AGP woredas.......................................................141.3.2. Nutrition situation nationally............................................................................................141.3.3. Nutrition situation in AGP woredas..................................................................................151.3.4. Consequences of undernutrition.....................................................................................15

1.4. Stakeholder and institutional analysis.....................................................................................161.4.1. National Nutrition Programme (NNP)..............................................................................161.4.2. Mapping of existing nutrition related programmes and interventions in AGP woredas and gap analysis.............................................................................................................................. 17

1.5. Theory of Nutrition Mainstreaming..........................................................................................181.5.1. Definitions of Food and Nutrition Security.......................................................................191.5.2. Multi-sectoral approaches to improve nutrition through agricultural programmes...........191.5.3. Conceptual models for linking Agriculture and Nutrition..................................................201.5.4. Key Recommendations for improving nutrition through Agriculture (FAO)......................201.5.5. Value Chains for Nutrition...............................................................................................21

2. METHODS............................................................................................................................222.1. Overview of the Work Plan......................................................................................................222.2. Question guide........................................................................................................................ 222.3. Case studies........................................................................................................................... 22

3. FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS......................................................................................................233.1. Analysis of Nutrition Sensitivity in AGP...................................................................................23

3.1.1. Assessment of the context at the local level, to design appropriate activities to address the types and causes of malnutrition.........................................................................................233.1.2. Incorporation of explicit nutrition objectives and indicators into their design...................233.1.3. Targeting the vulnerable and improving equity................................................................243.1.4. Collaboration and coordination with other sectors...........................................................253.1.5. Maintaining or improving the natural resource base........................................................263.1.6. Empowering women........................................................................................................263.1.7. Facilitating production diversification, and increasing production of nutrient-dense crops and small-scale livestock..........................................................................................................273.1.8. Improving processing, storage and preservation.............................................................293.1.9. Expanding markets and market access for vulnerable groups, particularly for marketing nutritious foods incorporating Value Chains..............................................................................303.1.10. Incorporating nutrition promotion and education...........................................................313.1.11. Capacity building for nutrition sensitivity........................................................................33

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3.1.12. Extension Services for nutrition sensitivity....................................................................333.1.13. ‘Do no harm’ prevention of detrimental consequences and opportunity costs of AGP activities.................................................................................................................................... 343.1.14. Research....................................................................................................................... 35

4. INTERVENTION PROPOSALS..................................................................................................374.1. Programme Development Objectives (PDO) & indicators for nutrition sensitivity, logical framework...................................................................................................................................... 37

4.1.1. Objectives for AGP..........................................................................................................374.1.2. Objectives for Nutrition Mainstreaming in AGP 2............................................................384.1.3. Monitoring and Evaluation for nutrition in AGP 2.............................................................394.1.4. Proposed Activities for Nutrition Mainstreaming in AGP 2...............................................394.1.5. Implementation................................................................................................................404.1.6. Budgets for selected activities.........................................................................................484.1.7. Targeting for nutrition in AGP..........................................................................................484.1.8. Work plan for Mainstreaming Nutrition in the AGP 2.......................................................48

4.2. Conclusions............................................................................................................................. 495. ANNEXES.............................................................................................................................50

5.1. Annex 1 AGP 2: Description of components and sub-components.........................................505.2. Annex 2: Administration of the Assessment............................................................................515.3. Annex 3 Work plans of the Assessment..................................................................................515.4. Annex 4 Detailed Schedule of the assessment visits..............................................................525.5. Annex 5 Question guide for Mainstreaming Nutrition into AGP...............................................575.6. Annex 6 Suggested budgets for selected activities.................................................................58Explanation of the budget estimation:............................................................................................595.7. Annex 7 Terms of Reference..................................................................................................60

References............................................................................................................................70

List of TablesTABLE 1: FIVE PATHWAYS LINKING AGRICULTURE TO NUTRITION FROM WORLD BANK ANALYSIS:.............19Table 2: Logical framework for the AGP 2 project:........................................................................42Table 3: Detailed Activities arranged by AGP component with Institutional Arrangements and links to the NNP and Mainstreaming objectives:............................................................................43Table 4: Description of Institutional arrangements for AGP mainstreaming...............................46Table 5: Summary Budgets for Selected Proposed Activities:............................................................48

list of figuresFIGURE 1: USAID ETHIOPIA: PATHWAYS FROM AGRICULTURE TO NUTRITION:.........................................20Figure 2 Pathways for Nutrition mainstreaming in AGP 2.............................................................37Figure 3: Overall and Specific Objectives for Mainstreaming Nutrition in AGP 2................................38

list of BOXESBox 1: Key guiding principles on agriculture programming for nutrition (FAO).........................21Box 2: Examples of nutrition related problems and opportunities observed during the field

trips to woredas and kebeles in the four AGP Regions and suggested mitigations...........24Box 3: Examples of Post Harvest Technologies............................................................................31Box 4: Coordination and capacity building case study.................................................................33Box 5: Case study on Legume Research at Hawassa University.................................................36

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Glossary of acronyms

ACDI/VOCA Agricultural Cooperative Development International/ Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance

ACF Action Contre la FaimAGP Agricultural Growth ProgramAGP CU Agricultural Growth Program Coordinating UnitAGP TC Agricultural Growth Program Technical CommitteeA&T Alive & Thrive projectAMDe. Agribusiness & Market DevelopmentATA Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation AgencyBMI Body Mass IndexBoA Board of AgricultureBoH Board of HealthBCC Behaviour Change CommunicationCAADAP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development ProgramCASCAPE Capacity Building for Scaling up of Evidence-based best Practices in Agricultural

production in EthiopiaCBN Community Based Nutrition ProgrammeCBO Community Based OrganisationCIDA Canadian International Development AgencyCIG Common Interest GroupCIMMYT Centre for Wheat and Maize ImprovementCMAM Community-based Management of Acute MalnutritionCSA Central Statistics AgencyDA Development AgentDHS Demographic and Health SurveyEKN Embassy of the Kingdom of the NetherlandsEIAR Ethiopian Institute for Agriculture ResearchENGINE Empowering New Generations to Improve Nutrition and Economic opportunities

EPHI Ethiopian Institute for Public HealthEUD European Union DelegationFAO Food and Agriculture OrganisationFTC Farmers Training CentreFtF Feed the Future programmeGAFSP Global Agricultural and Food Support ProgramGDP Gross Domestic ProductGMP Growth Monitoring and PromotionHEW Health Extension WorkerHYV High Yielding VarietyIDA International Development AssociationIEC Information Education CommunicationIFHP Integrated Family Health ProgrammeIFPRI International Food Policy Research InstituteIYCF Infant and Young Child FeedingLMD Livestock Market DevelopmentMoA Ministry of AgricultureM&E Monitoring and EvaluationMoH Ministry of HealthNGO Non- Governmental OrganizationNNP National Nutrition ProgramNRM Natural Resource ManagementNTF Nutrition Task ForceOFSP Orange Fleshed Sweet PotatoOTP Outpatient Therapeutic ProgrammePDO Programme Development ObjectivePIF Policy and Investment Framework PLW Pregnant and Lactating women PSNP Productive Safety Net Program

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QPM Quality Protein MaizeSBCC Social Behaviour Change CommunicationSMS Subject Matter SpecialistSNNPR Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' RegionSO Specific ObjectiveSUN Scaling Up Nutrition ToRs Terms of ReferenceUNDP United Nations Development ProgramUNICEF United Nations Children FundUSAID United States Agency for International Development WASH Water Sanitation and HygieneWDA Women’s Development ArmyWHO World Health Organization

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Executive SummaryWithin the frame of the preparation of the next phase of the Agricultural Growth Program (AGP 2) towards the programme embracing a nutrition sensitive approach, the mission team led a situation analysis of nutrition status of AGP 1 implementation and of existing nutrition relative interventions. Mainstreaming objectives and activities have been identified for AGP through the Consultants' discussions with stakeholders and through feedback on their recommendations at presentations,

Findings and Analysis: There was overall consensus that it is important for AGP to be more nutrition sensitive. For each of the FAO guiding principles the Consultants discussed opportunities and challenges for mainstreaming nutrition. There are many opportunities for Mainstreaming Nutrition in AGP: Ethiopia has many different agro-ecological zones and a heritage of bio-diversity (e.g. barley, teff,

enset, coffee) and Ethiopian cuisine includes diversity of preparations including cereal, pulses, vegetables on fasting days & traditional processed foods, e.g. injera which is high in Fe.

Support for Nutrition initiatives is strong in Ethiopia and The NNP is well-designed for mainstreaming nutrition in agriculture and offers a good opportunity for AGP since much of the design work is done, and coordination structures are in place or being developed.

The new structure for Nutrition in Agriculture Extension is a good opportunity for Nutrition to be progressed in Agriculture sector at all levels.

The women’s development army (WDA) is part of the kebele structure; a good opportunity to cascade information (1:5 structure). The AGP supports women and youth and inclusively is a high level Project Development Objective, for example in Common Interest Groups.

ENGINE project is working on Nutrition Behaviour Change Communication and Capacity Building with particular focus on vulnerable women

The FTCs have been established in each kebele with strong links to Development Agents (DAs). AGP supports Natural Resource Management activities at FTC such as soil and water conservation, composting skills, how to use farmyard manure, use of bio-fertiliser and crop rotations.

Research Institutes are developing appropriate technologies that can be used to improve post harvest losses and save labour for women

The following challenges should be overcome: There is a lack of structure in AGP for nutrition and awareness about nutrition is poor. There is

limited capacity for design of nutrition-related activities at all levels in Agriculture Sector. Poor coordination between AGP and the NNP: so far there are no formal links between AGP and

the NNP. The main objective of AGP is increased production for commercial purposes rather than for local

consumption. There is an assumption that in AGP woredas high production will mean assured food security and nutrition. This is not necessarily true and has resulted in few nutrition programmes implemented in AGP woredas.

It is not clear what groups are benefiting from AGP activities to date and whether poor groups in particular benefit.

Agricultural resources for diversification of production are not available, for example seeds and fruit tree seedlings. The crops targeted for Value Chain activities are limited to 5 crops nationally.

Post-harvest practices are under-emphasised and there is limited capacity to support processing, storage, food preparation, through the FTCs.

Unsustainable practices are promoted such as introduction of HYVs requiring high inputs, narrowing of genetic diversity. Agrochemical inputs used over the long term disrupt soil ecology and pesticides are a threat to pollinators such as bees.

There are gaps in the link between agriculture research and extension services, e.g. appropriate technologies are not well disseminated.

There is a lack of understanding about nutrition in the population and cultural barriers and belief systems around IYCF and nutrition mean that recommendations are not followed.

Women’s lack of access to productive resources for agriculture, poor control over decisions related to nutrition.

Intervention Proposals: Through field visits, data analysis, and discussions with stakeholders, the Consultants have identified the following mainstreaming objectives and activities:

Overall objective: Improve consumption of diverse and nutrient-dense foods for the population of AGP woredas with particular emphasis on children under 2 and pregnant and lactating mothers to prevent malnutrition and with emphasis on improving the nutritional status of farmers.

Specific Objectives (SO): SO 1: Increase production of a range of diverse nutrient-dense foods: fruit vegetables, animal

products, legumes, cereals. SO 2: Improve post harvest handling, preservation and processing to improve availability of good

nutritional quality and safe foods to rural communities. SO 3: Improve income generating capacity of women through AGP activities. SO 4 to increase awareness of community members (e.g. farmers, women, adolescents

community leaders) about nutrition. SO 5: Build capacity of staff in MoA at all levels (Federal, Regional, Woreda, Kebele) about

nutrition mainstreaming. SO 6: Support the research and dissemination of technologies on post harvest handling

processing and consumption for improved nutrition. SO 7: Support coordination across sectors to achieve synergies between nutrition-specific and

nutrition sensitive interventions.

Recommended activities Production of Diversified foods by supporting the following interventions in component 1: Seed

multiplication, FTC demonstrations, fruit nurseries, legume production, poultry promotion, dairy production, fisheries including hatcheries, apiculture, soil nutrient management. Horticulture production is supported by irrigation. CIGs supported to carry out production of nutrient dense crops.

Post harvest handling and processing of all crops and animal foods to maintain nutritional quality and safety. Emphasis should be made on local and appropriate technologies for food preservation, storage, processing, and technology that improves nutrition whilst adding economic value promoted. These activities should be managed through CIG women and youth groups taking into consideration indigenous knowledge and new technologies. Local private sector industries in this area should be made aware of to the importance of targeting women cooperatives and youth groups into the use of their technologies.

Behaviour Change Communication (BCC): Promotion of consumption of diversified foods using IEC (Information Education Communication) materials adapted to the local language, culture, nutrition barriers, and local food production system. Awareness raising activities delivered by BoA New Nutrition role at FTC on relevant topics such as nutrition, infant and young child feeding, processing, cooking demonstration, hygiene practices emphasizing use of local foods and prevention of nutrient loss (overcooking and over processing).

Create capacity for nutrition mainstreaming at all levels: Support Federal, Regional, Woreda and Kebele capacity building to improve multi-sectoral coordination across sectors and within the agriculture sector through in-service training and institutional support. Recruit of a Nutritionist for the AGP FCU to follow nutrition mainstreaming. Develop of an implementation manual for nutrition mainstreaming in AGP to be disseminated and adapted for all levels in the structure. Provision of equipment for FTCs to enable cooking and processing demonstrations.

Value Chain: Include nutrient dense crops in Value Chain activities. Discourage ultra processed food products through support to technologies that minimize nutrient loss in processing. Support to minimally processed foods (such as cracked wheat) for local consumption and sale. Structures built to protect perishable foods in markets to encourage purchase and consumption locally. Value chain activities to be encouraged for women’s CIGs to generate income controlled by women; this should also consider the work load and time costs for women to not adversely affect the time for child care.

Research: to be supported on understanding variability in the nutrient content of food related to: breeding for nutritional quality, e.g. biofortified crops, soil fertility management for nutritional quality, post harvest nutrient losses including through storage, processing, preparation. Development and adoption of technology for post harvest handling and processing appropriate for women and to maintain the nutritional quality of the food. Support studies on food safety such as Aflatoxin testing in widely consumed staple foods and value chain crops to understand the magnitude and nature of the problems.

Coordination: There is a need for AGP to coordinate with the National Nutrition Programme and across other sectors which includes many activities for nutrition sensitive agriculture with a wide

geographical coverage. Coordination may be achieved through the New Nutrition role in Agriculture Extension Dept at all levels who may link to the NNP structures. Plans for AGP can then be aligned with NNP plans for Agriculture Sector at all levels. Collaboration between Heath Extension and DAs at kebele level would help to promote consumption of diversified foods.

The next steps are for the stakeholders to decide on priorities and implementation modalities for these activities. The serious nature of malnutrition in Ethiopia calls for urgent action. Mainstreaming nutrition should be prioritised in AGP 2.

1. Introduction

1.1. Project objectives and purposeGlobal objectiveThe main objective of the assignment is to assist the Agricultural Growth Program Technical Committee (AGP TC) and the Agricultural Growth Program Coordinating Unit (AGP CU) with the preparation of the next phase of the Agricultural Growth Program (AGP 2) towards the programme embracing a nutrition sensitive approach.

Specific objectives (1) Problem analysis of nutrition status in sample Regions/ Woredas of ongoing and future AGP

implementation (using MoA and CSA data as well); (2) Review and map-out the specifically nutrition-related emergency and development-oriented

interventions that are being implemented by both government and non-governmental organizations in AGP operational areas;

(3) Recommend how the next generation of AGP can achieve more impact on nutritional outcome/ status through adopting some of the activities recommended under the National Nutrition Program (NNP) Action Plan, or CAADP/PIF or other initiatives;

(4) Identify the target group for these interventions; (5) Identify nutritional and consumption indicators relevant for the AGP with a view to their

incorporation in AGP M&E; (6) Provide support for the design of nutrition sensitive interventions in AGP2.

BackgroundThe Agricultural Growth Program, implemented in 96 woredas in four National Regional states (Oromiya, Amhara, SNNPR, Tigray) is a multi-donor financed program designed to increase productivity and market access for key crop and livestock products in targeted woredas with increased participation of women and youth. AGP 2, the second phase of the Agriculture Growth Project will remain relatively unchanged but include cross-cutting themes of gender, nutrition youth development, climate smart agriculture mainstreaming, capacity development.Chronic undernutrition in Ethiopia is 40% nationally in 2014 census and particularly high in 3 of the AGP regions (Tigray 44.4%; Amhara 42.4% and SNNPR 44.3%), In Oromia it is 37.5%. Malnutrition is not restricted to children but includes adolescents and adults with high levels of undernutrition assessed by BMI. The data point to a serious problem of chronic undernutrition in children and also adults and adolescents. Micronutrient deficiencies are serious concern for all groups. Also surveys carried out in the AGP woredas reveal that chronic malnutrition and poor dietary practices are also apparent in high productive woredas, thus bringing in to question the hypothesis that nutrition situation is less serious in AGP woredas than in food insecure woredas.The National Nutrition Programme (2013-2015) lays out a programme of work to be undertaken by a multi-sectoral group of ministries, including Agriculture. During the course of this study the Consultants have interviewed stakeholders and discussed the ways in which the AGP can contribute to the NNP agenda. The ENGINE program targets AGP woredas and aims at decreasing maternal, neonatal and child mortality by improving the nutritional status of women and children less than 5 years through sustainable, comprehensive and coordinated evidence-based interventions. Apart from ENGINE, other NGOs are not generally operational in AGP woredas working on nutrition interventions.

There is much current interest globally for ‘Nutrition-sensitive’ agriculture, and guidelines developed to assist programming in Agriculture to improve nutrition, notably by FAO. These are detailed in Box1. The 10 guiding principles are:1. Incorporate explicit nutrition objectives and indicators into their design, and track and mitigate potential harms; 2. Assess the context at the local level, to design appropriate activities to address the types and causes of malnutrition; 3. Target the vulnerable and improve equity; 4. Collaborate and coordinate with other sectors; 5. Maintain or improve the natural resource base; 6. Empower women;

7. Facilitate production diversification, and increase production of nutrient-dense crops and small-scale livestock; 8. Improve processing, storage and preservation; 9. Expand markets and market access for vulnerable groups, particularly for marketing; 10. Incorporate nutrition promotion and education. These guidelines have been used to develop the methods for this study to build question guides for interviewing stakeholders.

1.2. Agricultural Growth Programme (2011-2015)The Agricultural Growth Program, implemented in 96 woredas in four National Regional states (Oromiya, Amhara, SNNPR, Tigray) is a multi-donor financed program designed to increase productivity and market access for key crop and livestock products in targeted woredas with increased participation of women and youth. The approach of the current phase ending in September 2015 is value-chain oriented, decentralized, participatory and integrated and focuses on key rural and agricultural development constraints. The current phase (AGP 1) is intended to address about 2.2 million households from 2423 Kebeles in the program area, providing support to the following three major components: (1) Agricultural Production and Commercialization; (2) Small-scale Rural Infrastructure Development and Management; (3) Program Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation.

Components of AGP 1: Component 1: Agricultural Production and Commercialization

- Sub component 1.1- Institutional Strengthening and Development- Sub component 1.2 – Scaling up of Best Practices- Subcomponent 1.3 – Market and Agribusiness Development

Component 2: Small-scale Rural Infrastructure Development and Management- Sub component 2.1- Small-scale Agricultural Water Development and Management- Sub component 2.2- Small-scale Rural Market Infrastructure Development and- Management

Component 3: Program Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation- Sub component 3.1 AGP management and coordination- Sub component 3.2 Monitoring and Evaluation

The AGP is a multi-donor financed program that involves a wide range of stakeholders in the overall implementation process. For AGP 1 these include among others; the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Global Agricultural and Food Support Program (GAFSP), the Ethiopian Agricultural Agency (ATA), AGP-AMDe, AGP-LMD and the World Bank (IDA/WB). The list of donors for AGP 2 is not yet finalised at the time of writing.

1.2.1. BeneficiariesThe intended beneficiaries of the AGP1 project include small and medium-scale farmers. The project is expected to achieve better livelihoods and quality of life through provision of enhanced agricultural extension services, small-scale irrigation and market infrastructure facilities that significantly reduce variability in agricultural production and enable smallholders take advantage of new and more productive opportunities. Other beneficiaries of the AGP are large commercial farms, farmer organizations, traders, agro-processors, and others. Common Interest Groups (CIG)s are targeted to women and youth.In its current phase (AGP1 - terminating September 2015), the AGP doesn't have any explicit nutrition sensitive objectives and activities, but the current design offers many obvious and significant entry points for nutrition sensitive interventions (e.g. extension system, types of crops, value chain, behaviour change communication). The Consultants have recommended explicit nutrition objectives and indicators for the design of AGP 2 (see section 4.1.2 below and Table 2). The seven specific objectives described below will lead together to the overall objective of ‘improving consumption of diverse and nutrient-dense foods for the population of AGP woredas with particular emphasis for children under 2 and women to contribute to the prevention of malnutrition and adults to improve productivity’. With Nutrition Mainstreaming, the beneficiaries of AGP 2 could also include pregnant and lactating mothers and children under 5 although the nutrition mainstreaming activities should benefit the whole population. In addition, through the AGP2 project the wider community in Ethiopia, for example urban populations will benefit from improved quality of food production in the AGP Woredas.

1.2.2. Allied programmes to AGP

In addition, three aligned projects of AGP1 have components related to nutrition outcomes:CASCAPE (EKN) program aiming at scaling-up best practices has a sub-component on nutrition. It has recently started a pilot project in Amhara region (Bahirdar University cluster of the project) in collaboration with Community Based Nutrition program of UNICEF (CBN-UNICEF) to have a better agricultural-nutrition linkage and improve the nutritional status of rural households especially of women and children. Following this pilot program, other University clusters are currently starting various nutrition sensitive agricultural activities in different regions of the project.LMD program supported by USAID also targets AGP woredas and focuses on Livestock production and value chains and has integrated nutrition-sensitive activities in their programmeAMDe program supported by USAID also targets AGP woredas and focuses on the 5 selected Value Chains through support for production processing and marketing of wheat, maize, chickpea, sesame, honey and coffee and has integrated nutrition-sensitive activities in their programme.

1.2.3. AGP 2: the second phase of the Agriculture Growth ProjectThe Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and the main development partners (DPs) supporting the AGP have undertaken to design and implement a second phase of this program. The proposed components and subcomponents of AGP 2 are detailed in Annex 1. This is the list provided by the AGP formulation meeting in November 2014 and is still under review at the time of writing. For AGP 2 the number of woredas is planned to increase to 157 with continuation of activities in the original 96 woredas and including an extra 61 woredas in the new Regions of Benishangul Gumuz, Deredawa, Gambela and Harari. Ongoing discussions indicate that new approaches and themes will be included into the design, including cross-cutting themes of gender, nutrition, youth development, climate smart agriculture mainstreaming, capacity development. The notable addition is component 2 for Research which was not included in the first phase. The small scale irrigation activities and the agricultural marketing and agribusiness components have also been elaborated as separate components in AGP 2. Our study suggests nutrition objectives for AGP 2, in order to mainstream Nutrition into AGP 2. These ideas are currently under discussion for inclusion in AGP 2.The Allied programmes for AGP 2 are not yet agreed nor the implementation modalities for all the components defined. There are still opportunities for parallel programming, such as the AMD, LMD and CASCAPE programmes that were allied to AGP 1.

1.3. Situational analysis and synthesis

1.3.1. Diversity of agricultural production in AGP woredasThe Feed the Future baseline survey1 reports poor diversity of production in the sampled woreda: 77.5% of households produce cereals; 26.3 pulses; 6.8 Oilseeds; 3.7 Vegetables; 8.8 Root crops; 2.4 Fruit crops; 9.9 Coffee; 15.4 enset. These woredas include a sample of AGP woredas. The AGP baseline survey2 does not present data in the same format for comparison.

1.3.2. Nutrition situation nationallyVarious nutrition surveys have been undertaken in Ethiopia in recent years. The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) is a nation-wide survey. The most recent full survey was carried out in 2011 3 with a mini survey update of stunting and wasting data in 20144. It is important to note that the survey covered more woredas in each Region than the few that were included in AGP so these results may not be representative of the AGP woredas5. Data more specific to the AGP woredas are reported in section 1.3.3. The 2011 survey highlights serious nutrition problems for children, adolescents, women and men with a level of stunting in under 5 children at 44% for the four AGP regions in 2011 were 41% in Oromia, 44% in SNNP, 51% in Tigray and 52% in Amhara in the EDHS 2011. Wasting-measured as General Acute Malnutrition (GAM) (moderate plus severe) was on average nationally 9.7% with 2.8% of that

1 Ethiopia Strategy Support Program, International Food Policy Research Institute. Feed the Future of Ethiopia Baseline Re-port 2013. 2014.2 Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II, International Food Policy Research Institute. AGP of Ethiopia Baseline Report 2011. 2013.3 Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia. Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011. 20124 Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia. Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2014. 2014.5 ibid.

severely malnourished (SAM). In the 4 AGP Regions in 2011 GAM was 9.7% in Oromia; 7.6% in SNNPR; 10.3% in Tigray and 9.9% in Amhara.

By 2014 the national average of stunting had reduced to 40%. Stunting is particularly high in 3 of the AGP regions (Tigray 44.4%; Amhara, 42.4% and SNNPR 44.3%); In Oromia it is 37.5%. Acute malnutrition (GAM) was nationally 9% with 3% severely wasted (measured by weight for height) Acute malnutrition was lower than average in 2 Regions (Oromiya 6.9%; SNNPR 6.8% but higher in 2 Regions (Tigray 13.6%; Amhara 9.7%).

From 2011 DHS survey6, twenty-seven percent of women are thin or undernourished (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2) and 6% are overweight or obese (BMI 25 kg/m2 or above). Rural women (29.1%) also are more likely to be thin than urban women. Adolescents (age 15-19) are more likely to be thin (36 percent) than older women. Thirty seven percent of Ethiopian men age 15-49 are thin or undernourished (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2), and 2 percent are overweight or obese (BMI 25 kg/m2 or above). Rural men are slightly more likely to be thin (39 percent) than urban men (32 percent).Anaemia is one indicator of iron deficient diets and the DHS also reveals a serious problem particularly for women and children and particularly in rural areas. More than four in ten Ethiopian children (44 percent) are anaemic. Seventeen percent of Ethiopian women age 15-49 are anaemic. Anaemia prevalence also varies by urban and rural residence; a higher proportion of women in rural areas are anaemic (18 percent) than those in urban areas (11 percent). Nationally, 11 percent of men 15-49 are anaemic. Rural men are more likely to be anaemic than urban men (13 and 5 percent, respectively).This highlights the need to improve the iron content of rural diets.

Dietary consumptionOnly 4% of breastfed children 6-23 months consume an adequate diet according to internationally recognized IYCF recommendations. The main problem lies with dietary diversity where only 4% meet dietary diversity minimum score of 4 food groups per day. Only half meet meal frequency requirements (48%). 26 percent of youngest children age 6-23 months living with their mothers consumed foods rich in vitamin A. Urban children (38 percent) are more likely than rural children (24 percent) to consume foods rich in vitamin A7.The data point to a serious problem of chronic undernutrition in children and also adults and adolescents. Micronutrient deficiencies are serious concern for all groups.

1.3.3. Nutrition situation in AGP woredasThe ENGINE programme commissioned a baseline survey that was conducted in 2012 to 2013 in 42 woredas in Amhara, SNNPR and Oromia with intervention and control woredas designed to assess the eventual impact of the ENGINE programme8. The woina dega agroecological zones were included for the survey from 3 of the 4 Regions of operation of ENGINE. Tigray was omitted from the survey. These are also the woredas targeted by AGP.Nutrition and dietary data were poor in these woredas despite their classification as food secure. This suggests that factors beyond availability of food (as assessed by food security measures) were important in the causes of undernutrition.Child stunting averaged 49.2%, 43.5% and 39.8% respectively in Amhara, Oromia and SNNPR regions. Child dietary practices were poor in the ENGINE woredas surveyed. Dietary adequacy was 6.3% 13.9% and 9.2% respectively in Amhara, Oromia and SNNPR for children 6-23 months. As the in the national figures, dietary diversity was poor with only 7.2%, 15.0% and 11.5% of children in the 3 regions meeting internationally recognized minimum of 4 food groups daily. The percentage of children meeting frequency requirements were 68.8%, 78.3% and 63.5% in the 3 regions. The prevalence of undernourished women (BMI <18.5) were equivalent to the DHS data quoted above with between 20-30% affected on average in the 3 Regions. Maternal dietary diversity was poor; more than 75% of women on average consumed diets of low dietary diversity (less than or equal to 3 food groups from a total of 9). There was considerable variability in consumption patterns across woredas. Milk and egg consumption was particularly poor in Amhara and Oromia. Milk consumption varied from less than 1% to 79% from woreda to woreda and eggs were consistently less than 7%9.

6 Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia. Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011. 20127 Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia. Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2011. 20128 Valid International, Tufts University. Empowering New Generations to Improve Nutrition and Economic Opportunities; Impact Evaluation Baseline Survey 2014.9 ibid.

The AGP baseline survey 2011 included assessments of nutritional anthropometry in AGP woredas. Results were not separated by Region; stunting averaged 49% (29% severe), wasting was 17% (9% severe) The stunting in AGP woredas according to this survey was similar to stunting in the equivalent year in EDHS (section 1.3.2). The wasting in the AGP baseline survey was considerably higher than reported in the EDHS 2011 (1.3.2) The severe wasting was particularly high and outside the usual range of data expected. Child dietary diversity was not assessed in the AGP baseline survey10.

1.3.4. Consequences of undernutritionChild mortality associated with chronic and acute malnutrition is estimated at 28%. The annual costs associated with child undernutrition are estimated at Ethiopian birr (ETB) 55.5 billion, which is equivalent to 16.5% of GDP11. Malnutrition in adults is associated with diminished work capacity so the high prevalence of undernourishment in both men and women may be considered a limiting factor or input for agricultural productivity as well as an outcome. Maternal nutrition is important for its own sake, as a human right, for its close association to child undernutrition and also because well nourished women are more productive than poorly nourished women!The causes of chronic undernutrition in the AGP woredas are likely to include the well recognised underlying causes of poor household food security, poor maternal and child care and an unhealthy environment and poor health services12. As shown in section 1.5 the relationships between agriculture and nutrition are complex and increasing food production can be a ‘blunt instrument’ to address nutrition. For Ethiopia to address stunting, the causes need to be identified and tackled through policy and programmes that have specific nutrition objectives.

The AGP1 activities have not so far been evaluated for impact on nutrition. For example agricultural production has not been evaluated for its impact on local household food security or nutrition in the Mid Term Review13. The data reported above show that the problems of chronic under nutrition highlighted in the DHS surveys nationally are also present in the AGP woredas as reported in the ENGINE baseline, despite higher agricultural production in these agrarian woredas We can surmise that there is a disconnect between nutrition and agricultural production in the AGP woredas that merits further investigation. The higher agricultural productivity in AGP woredas does not protect the population from chronic under-nutrition. The reasons for this disconnect are many and are explored below where we examine the theory of nutrition sensitive agriculture.

1.4. Stakeholder and institutional analysis

1.4.1. National Nutrition Programme (NNP)The National Nutrition Programme (2013-2015) has achieved commitment to tackling nutrition problems in Ethiopia from 9 ministries: Health, Education, Industry, Water and Energy, Trade, Agriculture, Labour and Social Affairs, Finance and Economic Development, Women, Children and Youth Affairs14. The NNP lays out a programme of work to be undertaken by this multi-sectoral group. Under strategic objective 4 are a set of interventions to strengthen implementation of nutrition sensitive interventions across all these sectors. Result 4.1 is ‘Strengthened implementation of nutrition sensitive interventions in the agriculture sector. All these activities could be included as part of AGP 2 as part of nutrition mainstreaming. Interventions in result 4.1 are summarised below. In our analysis we link our recommended activities for AGP 2 to these sub sections of the NNP (see Table3).

4.1.1 Increased production of fruits vegetables nutritious roots cereals and pulses to improve consumption of diversified diet at household level.

4.1.2 Improved access to and utilisation of animal source foods (dairy poultry and sheep and goats) including market linkages;

4.1.3 Increase production and consumption of fish;

10 Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II, International Food Policy Research Institute. AGP of Ethiopia Baseline Report 2011. 2013.11 African Union Commission, World Food Programme, United Nations Commission for Africa. The cost of hunger in Ethiopia: implications for growth and transformation of Ethiopia. 2009.12 UNICEF. Causes of Malnutrition and Death, UNICEF Strategy for improved nutrition of children and women in developing countries 1990.13 Mid Term Review Collaborative Team. Agriculture Growth Programme Mid Term Review Aide Memoire. 2014.14 Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. National Nutrition Programme June 2013 - June 2015. 2013.

4.1.4 Promote appropriate technology for food production and processing through handling preparation and preservation for food diversification to ensure nutritious food utilisation;

4.1.5 Promote value addition to ensure availability and consumption of diverse nutritious foods;

4.1.6 Promote consumption of diversified foods through agricultural extension programme and through agricultural development agents at community level;

4.1.7 Strengthen the capacity of the agriculture sector to integrate nutrition sensitive interventions into agriculture programmes;

4.1.8 Support local complementary food production and create economic opportunities for women through development groups and cooperatives;

4.1.9 Support agriculture research centres to develop seeds of high nutritional value.

The NNP therefore offers a timely opportunity for Agriculture sector to contribute to the NNP objectives. This is also an opportunity for AGP to align its interventions to the NNP. The programme also outlines multi-sectoral coordination and capacity building to ensure NNP implementation (Strategic Objective 5). This includes building capacity of Development Agents and Agriculture Extension Agents and coordination structures at all levels. Also included is the establishment of a nutrition unit within the MoA to coordinate the mainstreaming of nutrition within the Agriculture sector. During the course of this study the Consultants have interviewed stakeholders and discussed the ways in which the AGP can contribute to the NNP agenda. The activities the Consultants have recommended have been mapped and aligned to the NNP agenda (described below).

1.4.2. Mapping of existing nutrition related programmes and interventions in AGP woredas and gap analysisThe Government of Ethiopia supports nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive activities through the Health and Agriculture sectors. The Health Extension system has the primary responsibility for nutrition promotion activities through the cascading information and training system ‘The Women’s Development Army’; a system that enables capacity building and information exchange between Heath Extension Workers and the community. In the Health Extension system there are 16 packages of information of which Nutrition is just one. This means that time and resources are stretched to give full attention to all the necessary areas of nutrition. Within the Ministry of Agriculture, a new Nutrition section has been formed in the structure to promote food utilisation for nutrition benefit through the Agriculture Extension structure. Regional posts have been recruited to this new structure and the roll out to woredas is on-going. Coordination between Health and Agriculture Extension is a challenge that has been identified as these new activities are being developed.

The USAID funded ‘Feed the Future’ (FtF) programme supports allied programmes to AGP. These include LMD and AMD and also ENGINE which is implemented in AGP woredas but not strictly part of AGP. FtF aims to reduce stunting by 20% by 2016, it therefore has strong nutrition components in all the programmes and supports dietary diversification and BCC activities to support demand for nutritious foods.

ENGINE targets 83 AGP woredas and aims at decreasing maternal, neonatal and child mortality by improving the nutritional status of women and children less than 5 years through sustainable, comprehensive and coordinated evidence-based interventions. The ENGINE program has also developed BCC materials for nutrition promotional activities that concentrate on the first 1000 days, window of opportunity to prevent stunting through training, policy and programme activities. ENGINE also works with local NGOs and CBOs. Training materials have been developed and training is delivered to farmers, schools, and adolescents. Direct support is provided to a limited group of vulnerable households in each woreda who receive inputs for vegetable production and nutrition promotion activities.

AMD (Agribusiness & Market Development) program is also supported by USAID and the main area of operation is in implementation of AGP value chain activities. AMD has also developed Behaviour Change Communication materials such as flip charts and booklets based on barrier analyses. This BCC activity is focused on improving utilisation of the value chain crops by development of recipes and preparations using chick pea, wheat, maize, sesame, coffee and honey. Trainings are cascaded through the Agriculture Extension system to reach the communities and Common Interest Groups (CIG). AMD is operational in AGP woredas.

LMD (Livestock Market Development) works on the livestock and animal produce value chains associated with AGP and one aim is to improve nutrition of households through animal product consumption. LMD is operational in 46 woredas in 4 regions. Barrier analysis and Knowledge Attitude and Practice surveys have informed the development of BCC materials. LMD works with local NGOs in each Region to implement activities. LMD also works with CBOs and authority figures such as religious leaders to address constraints to animal product consumption, for example to address the low consumption of milk for children during fasting seasons in Amhara and prohibitions on egg consumption.

CASCAPE (funded by EKN works on the research aspects of AGP. There is a collaboration with the Community Based Nutrition Programme, but this is largely implemented in the PSNP woredas and not the AGP woredas. CASCAPE links with Regional Universities to support implementation of action research on several nutrition, agriculture and gender themes. For example CASCAPE supports research on utilisation of soya beans, and OFSP. Their key link with AGP has been on validating best practices; however the ‘best practices’ in AGP have not so far included nutrition themes.

Apart from ENGINE, AMD, LMD and CASCAPE, other NGOs are not generally operational in AGP woredas working on nutrition interventions. For AGP 2 it is not clear yet whether the USAID and EKN funded projects will continue in their present form. These allied programmes are very important for nutrition mainstreaming, and their coverage needs to be expanded to include all woredas and kebeles.

In Ethiopia a ‘hotspot’ classification system is used to prioritise woredas for interventions. This is based on several criteria: level of food security, disease outbreaks, flooding, CMAM admissions, nutrition survey results and other factors. Using this system a ranking system from 1 (highest) to 4 (lowest) priority. Non emergency woredas are classified as 415. Using this system the AGP woredas is classified as priority 4. The ENGINE survey results show that stunting is as high in the agrarian, relatively high productivity woredas as elsewhere in the country. Traditionally Ethiopia has prioritised emergency and acute malnutrition through this system of classification rather than chronic undernutrition although chronic undernutrition affects 40% of children and is also high in the ‘non hotspot’ woredas16. The Consultants suggest that the poor coverage of nutrition interventions in the ‘non hotspot’ areas is related to this classification system. The majority of NGOs in Ethiopia working on nutrition are operational in the ‘hot-spot’ woredas where the PSNP is operational. The non hot-spot areas covered by the AGP have the worst coverage for many nutrition interventions such as Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCF), Women and Adolescent Nutrition, School Health and Nutrition, WASH, Management of Nutrition, Nutrition Communication, and Multi-Sectoral Approaches17. A focus on broad and chronic nutrition problems in the ENGINE woredas where AGP is operational is therefore warranted to tackle the high levels of chronic malnutrition.

Ethiopia is now committed to addressing chronic as well as acute malnutrition. It has joined the SUN movement, launched the National Nutrition Programme and its Growth Transformation Plan includes priority for nutrition. There is an ambitious commitment to reduction in stunting by 20% and underweight by 15% by 2020. For Ethiopia to address stunting, the causes need to be identified and tackled through policy and programmes that have specific nutrition objectives. By working with Agriculture sector, Ethiopia has shown commitment to mainstream nutrition. There needs to be reorientation of nutrition programming to address chronic as well as acute malnutrition.The AGP 1 has not so far explicitly taken into account nutrition-sensitive agriculture. This does not mean that AGP 1 has not contributed to reduction of malnutrition; however the impact has not been evaluated.

1.5. Theory of Nutrition Mainstreaming There is much current interest globally for ‘Nutrition-sensitive’ agriculture, in other words agriculture that is oriented towards nutrition goals – nutrition-smart agriculture. The recent International Conference on Nutrition has built new alliances and commitment18. Several reports and guidance

15 REACH. Nutrition Stakeholder Mapping 2013-2015. In: Federal Ministry of Health Ethiopia, ed. Addis Ababa, 2014.16 Central Statistical Agency Ethiopia. Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2014. 2014.17 REACH. Nutrition Stakeholder Mapping 2013-2015. In: Federal Ministry of Health Ethiopia, ed. Addis Ababa, 2014.18 European Union, World Bank Group, Food and Agriculture Organisation, Technical Centre of Agriculture and Rural Cooperation. Agriculture and Nutrition: a common future. International Conference on Nutrition 2014, 2014.

from donors, research organisations and NGOs have become available within the past 2-3 years 19. Within Ethiopia interest and commitment to mainstreaming nutrition in the sectors is also growing20. This guidance is facilitating reviews of agriculture programmes internationally with the aim of improving nutrition. The NNP is a good example of the commitment in Ethiopia to multi sectoral approaches to tackling nutrition problems in the country.

1.5.1. Definitions of Food and Nutrition SecurityAccording to the Committee on Food Security: “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life".

The definition is extended to include Food and Nutrition Security by the addition of a clause about adequate sanitation, health services and care to incorporate the full underlying causes of malnutrition from the UNICEF model21: “Food and nutrition security exists when all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to food, which is consumed in sufficient quantity and quality to meet their dietary needs and food preferences, and is supported by an environment of adequate sanitation, health services and care".

It is important to consider the wider definition that includes nutrition security to have impact on nutrition.

1.5.2. Multi-sectoral approaches to improve nutrition through agricultural programmesThe examples below form the basis of the methods of the assessment for AGP Nutrition mainstreaming.

Improving nutrition through multi-sectoral approach22

In its analysis on multi-sectoral approaches to improving nutrition, nutrition sensitivity is explored by the World Bank in the different sectors. Table 1 shows 5 possible pathways linking agriculture to nutrition.

Table 1: Five pathways linking agriculture to nutrition from World Bank analysis:Table C-1. Five pathways linking agriculture to nutrition

Pathway Strength of pathway1. Increasing overall macroeconomic Modest effect2. Increasing access to food by higher production and decreased food prices

Modest effect

3. Increasing household income through the sale of agricultural products

Variable effects

4. Increasing nutrient dense food production for household consumption

Some evidence

5. Empowering women through targeted agricultural interventions

Some evidence

Source: Adapted from World Bank 2007

Pathway 1 has only a modest effect – economic growth is a ‘blunt instrument’ to improve nutrition.Pathway 2 has a modest effect. There is limited association between staple crop production and nutritional status. Pathway 3 has variable effects. The difference in stunting between different income quintiles in Ethiopia is small and even the highest quintile suffers from 40% stunting compared to

19 Save the Children. Nutrition sensitivity: how agriculture can improve child nutrition. 2014.; DFID UK, World Bank. Improving nutrition through multi sectoral approaches. 2013.; FAO. Synthesis of guiding principles on agriculture programming for nutri -tion 2013; Gillespie S, Harris J, Kadiyala S. The Agriculture-Nutrition Disconnect in India, What Do We Know? IFPRI Paper 01187. 2012; Ruel MT, Alderman H. Nutrition-sensitive interventions and programmes: how can they help to accelerate pro -gress in improving maternal and child nutrition? The Lancet 2013; World Bank. Improving nutrition through a multi-sectoral ap-proach. Washington DC, 2013; European Commission. Addressing undernutrition in external assistance: an integrated ap-proach through sectors and aid modalities. 2011; Haddad L, Meeker J. A state of the art review of agriculture-nutrition linkages: an Agridiet position paper. 2013; UNSCN. Changing food systems for better nutrition. Standing Committee on Nutrition News 2013.20 Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. Report on integration of nutrition into agriculture and health in Ethiopia. 2013.21 UNICEF. Causes of Malnutrition and Death, UNICEF Strategy for improved nutrition of children and women in developing countries 1990.22 World Bank. Improving nutrition through a multi-sectoral approach. Washington DC, 2013.

52% in the lowest. Increases in income from agricultural productivity of cash crops (staples or otherwise) is not related to reduction in under-nutrition unless the income is controlled by women. Pathways 4 and 5 have ‘some’ and ‘strong’ evidence respectively are developed into 4 priority objectives:

Priority objectives to enhance nutrition in agriculture programs (World Bank)23 Invest in women: safeguard and strengthen the capacity of women to provide for the food security,

health and nutrition of their families Increase access to year round availability of high-nutrient content food Improve nutrition knowledge among rural households to enhance dietary diversity Incorporate explicit nutrition objective and indicators into agriculture investments

The FAO with partners elaborated these 4 recommendations into 10 programming principles (see below).

1.5.3. Conceptual models for linking Agriculture and NutritionConceptual model based on IFPRI Discussion Paper24 and adapted to Ethiopia context by addition of elements on Water Sanitation and Hygiene and on demand for nutritious food. The Conceptual model describes the main pathways between Agricultural production starting with household assets and livelihoods to Child and mother nutrition outcomes.

Figure 1: USAID Ethiopia: Pathways from agriculture to nutrition:

The conceptual model was used to design a specific model for mainstreaming nutrition in the AGP and to produce specific objectives for mainstreaming.

23 ibid.24 Gillespie S, Harris J, Kadiyala S. The Agriculture-Nutrition Disconnect in India, What Do We Know? IFPRI Paper 01187. 2012.

Adapted from: Stuart Gillespie, Jody Harris, and Suneetha Kadiyala, 2012 The Agriculture-Nutrition Disconnect in India, What Do We Know? IFPRI Discussion Paper

01187

Food prices

Food consumption

Food expenditur

e

Social Capital Expenditures*

Nutrient intake

Child nutrition

outcomes

Health status

Mother’s nutrition

outcomes

Health care expenditure

Female employment /

resources

National nutrition

outcomes

Income (agricultural

and non-agricultural)

Caring capacity & practices

Female energy

expenditure

Food Supply

Demand for

Nutritious Food

National economic

growth

WASH

Nutrient absorption

SBCCValue Chain

*Health, Education, Quality of life, non-productive (alcohol)

1.5.4. Key Recommendations for improving nutrition through Agriculture (FAO)The FAO has also supported development on recommendations for improving nutrition impact of agricultural programmes25

These recommendations are practical and useful for programme design. The assessment was designed around these guidelines. The findings are presented under these headings and the discussions with stakeholders were focused on these topics.

25 FAO. Synthesis of guiding principles on agriculture programming for nutrition 2013

Box 1: Key guiding principles on agriculture programming for nutrition (FAO)

1.5.5. Value Chains for NutritionThe concept of Value Chains for Nutrition has been introduced as an approach to mainstreaming nutrition. The concept includes consideration of the crop that is included in the value chain(s); the beneficiaries of the various value chain activities; the nutrient quality of foods as they pass through the value chain. Four main goals for nutrition were identified by IFPRI26: Goal 1: Increase the supply of accessible (available and affordable) nutritious foods for the poor (and for different target groups) all year round. Goal 2: Increase the demand for and acceptability of nutri -

26 Hawkes C, Ruel M. Value Chains for Nutrition. In: IFPRI, ed. Leveraging Agriculture for Nutrition. New Delhi, 2011.

Agricultural programmes and investments can strengthen impact on nutrition if they:

1. Incorporate explicit nutrition objectives and indicators into their design, and track and mitigate potential harms, while seeking synergies with economic, social and environmental objectives.

2. Assess the context at the local level, to design appropriate activities to address the types and causes of malnutrition, including chronic or acute under nutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and obesity and chronic disease. Context assessment can include potential food resources, agro-ecology, seasonality of production and income, access to productive resources such as land, market opportunities and infrastructure, gender dynamics and roles, opportunities for collaboration with other sectors or programmes, and local priorities.

3. Target the vulnerable and improve equity through participation, access to resources, and decent employment. Vulnerable groups include smallholders, women, youth, the landless, urban dwellers, the unemployed.

4. Collaborate and coordinate with other sectors (health, environment, social protection, labor, water and sanitation, education, energy) and programmes, through joint strategies with common goals, to address concurrently the multiple underlying causes of malnutrition.

5. Maintain or improve the natural resource base (water, soil, air, climate, biodiversity), critical to the livelihoods and resilience of vulnerable farmers and to sustainable food and nutrition security for all. Manage water resources in particular to reduce vector-borne illness and to ensure sustainable, safe household water sources.

6. Empower women by ensuring access to productive resources, income opportunities, extension services and information, credit, labor and time-saving technologies (including energy and water services), and supporting their voice in household and farming decisions. Equitable opportunities to earn and learn should be compatible with safe pregnancy and young child feeding.

7. Facilitate production diversification, and increase production of nutrient-dense crops and small-scale livestock (for example, horticultural products, legumes, livestock and fish at a small scale, underutilized crops, and biofortified crops). Diversified production systems are important to vulnerable producers to enable resilience to climate and price shocks, more diverse food consumption, reduction of seasonal food and income fluctuations, and greater and more gender-equitable income generation.

8. Improve processing, storage and preservation to retain nutritional value, shelf-life, and food safety, to reduce seasonality of food insecurity and post-harvest losses, and to make healthy foods convenient to prepare.

9. Expand markets and market access for vulnerable groups, particularly for marketing can include innovative promotion (such as marketing based on nutrient content), value addition, access to price information, and farmer associations. nutritious foods or products vulnerable groups have a comparative advantage in producing.

10. Incorporate nutrition promotion and education around food and sustainable food systems that builds on existing local knowledge, attitudes and practices. Nutrition knowledge can enhance the impact of production and income in rural households, especially important for women and young children, and can increase demand for nutritious foods in the general population.

tious foods for the poor. Goal 3: Increase the coordination among value-chain actors and activities that are essential to increasing the supply of and demand for nutritious foods for the poor. Goal 4: Ad-dress the trade-offs between the economic returns and nutritional benefits of agriculture in the value chain. Another aim for value chains has been identifying ways in which to improve the nutritional quality of foods through the value chain whilst ‘plugging the leaks’ of nutrients through the various stages of production, processing, cooking and consumption27. For AGP the Consultants have considered entry points for the Value Chain activities by consideration of the choice of commodity, the actors in the value chain and how they can benefit from agri-busi -nesses, and also the types of processing and how the nutrient content can be preserved or value ad-ded.

The nutrition background information, the institutional assessment, the structure of the AGP, the com-ponents of NNP as well as global guidance on nutrition mainstreaming led the Consultants to the par -ticular design of this study.

2. Methods

2.1. Overview of the Work PlanEthiopia has a long history of work on nutrition sector and agriculture sector through government and non-government actors and much expertise is available in the country. The feasibility of proposed actions can therefore be tested through this experience. Linking agriculture and nutrition sectors has not so far been developed for the AGP and this is therefore the focus of the current work.

The format for discussions with stakeholders was therefore led through an introduction to the theory of linking agriculture, nutrition and health followed by discussion on the specifics of the context in the Ethiopian Regions. This produced a rich discussion of problems, current action and possible solutions. Within the AGP1 current activities were discussed with stakeholders.

There was an initial period for planning, consultation and brief literature review in Addis Ababa. This was followed by a 3 week field trip to all the AGP Regions to determine the opportunities and challenges of introducing nutrition sensitivity to AGP 2. The Consultants worked with Regional, Woreda and Kebele levels and across agriculture and health and gender sectors with government and NGOs.

Discussion at Region, Woreda and Kebele levels were carried out with the aim of complete transparency and inclusion of ideas, constraints and the realities ‘on the ground’. The community and regions concerned were involved in the process, so that the identified interventions answer to the actual needs and priorities of the population. Group discussions were held wherever possible with participants from both Agriculture and Health sectors.

Analysis of findings, gaps and stakeholder opinions led to clear suggestions for activities. These were discussed with Federal and Regional stakeholders during the process of AGP 2 formulation. Schedule of the consultancy, people met and details of administration and ToR are in the Annex.

2.2. Question guideThe question guide for stakeholder qualitative data assessments is in the Annex. This was based on the Guiding Principles of Mainstreaming Nutrition in Agriculture Programmes28 and adapted to the context of the study.

2.3. Case studiesThree case studies for mainstreaming nutrition in agriculture were documented during the assessment. These were a case study of integrated legume research at Awassa University (SNNPR), a study of post harvest technologies at the EIAR centre at Melkassa (Oromia) and a study of multi-sectoral coordination at Halaba Special Woreda in SNNPR. These case studies were undertaken during a field visit during the second phase of the assessment.

27 Mayer AB. A food systems approach to increase dietary zinc intake in Bangladesh based on an analysis of diet, rice produc-tion and processing. In: Thompson B, ed. Combating Micronutrient Deficiency : Food-based approaches. Rome: FAO, 2011:256.28 FAO. Synthesis of guiding principles on agriculture programming for nutrition 2013.

3. Findings and AnalysisThe desk study and analysis of interviews and discussions with stakeholders, and AGP beneficiaries and communities led to the following findings. The findings are arranged by reference to the FAO Guiding Principles29 with a description of observations of current activities, challenges and opportunities for introducing nutrition mainstreaming.

3.1. Analysis of Nutrition Sensitivity in AGPIn this section the Consultants describe the findings organised according to the FAO guiding principles of agriculture programming for nutrition30. The Guiding Principles are related to particular components of AGP 1 and some cut across several components as shown below.

Guiding Principles AGP 1 Component1. Assess the context at the local level, to design appropriate activities

to address the types and causes of malnutritionAll

2. Specific nutrition objective included in project 3.23. Target the vulnerable and improve equity 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.24. Collaborate and coordinate with other sectors all5. Maintain or improve the natural resource base 1.1,1.2, 1.3, 2.1,6. Empower women all7. Facilitate production diversification, and increase production of

nutrient-dense crops and small-scale livestock1.1,1.2,1.3, 2.1,

8. Improve processing, storage and preservation 1.1, 1.2,1.39. Expand markets and market access for vulnerable groups,

particularly for marketing nutritious foods incorporating Value Chains

2.2

10. Incorporate nutrition promotion and education 1.111. Capacity building for nutrition sensitivity 1.112. Monitoring and Evaluation and Research. 3.2

29 ibid.30 ibid.

Some specific concrete examples of nutrition problems or opportunities observed in the AGP woredas and kebeles visited are described in Box 2 below.

Box 2: Examples of nutrition related problems and opportunities observed during the field trips to woredas and kebeles in the four AGP Regions and suggested mitigations.

3.1.1. Assessment of the context at the local level, to design appropriate activities to address the types and causes of malnutritionSome activities are adapted naturally to the context e.g. choice of crops to be supported at FTC which depends on agro-ecological zone. No systematic analysis of the causes of malnutrition has been brought into the design of activities for AGP 1. For nutrition mainstreaming it will be important to do this. The ENGINE baseline survey has carried out surveys in a wide sample of woredas which reveal very different dietary practices related to culture, religious beliefs and crops grown amongst others.

Recommendations

In Amhara, following the strict fasting rules related to Orthodox Christianity, there are long periods of fasting during the year; this includes the fasting of children older 7 years and associated risks from lack of animal foods, Also even children younger than 7 receive less milk due to fear of contamination of utensils from milk. This results in lack of dairy foods for even young children. This problem does not represent the same risk in areas where Orthodox Christianity is less – for example in Oromiya. This is an example of a local practice that affects nutrition and needs specific BCC activities and to work with specific community groups. This can be mitigated through education and through working with religious leaders in the communities. There are also traditional cheese processing systems that can be used to address the problem of utensil contamination and these can be promoted through CIGs.

Also in Amhara, farmers reported that hybrid varieties are short lived. They are highly productive for only a few years, then they become diseased and have to be dropped. Then they have to grow an-other variety. BH 660 is an example which is no long viable. The mitigation for this problem is to value local varieties as much as possible and to support farmers who protect biodiversity by growing local varieties with agro-ecological methods, thus also preserving the environment.

There were also reports of beliefs and rituals related with some protein rich foods in Oromia along-side poor knowledge of food consumption particularly fruits and vegetables. The mitigation, again is context specific BCC materials that account for local customs languages and cultures. Also in the kebele visited in Oromia, intercropping is a usual practice, e.g. pumpkin or spinach under maize. These indigenous practices need to be valued both as good farming practice and to support dietary diversity. Other beneficial farming practice includes contour farming with grass to prevent soil erosion.

In SNNPR, there is a high dependency in the staple foods that are full of fibre rather than protein, such as the staple enset. Again, locally adapted BCC materials are necessary to address this prob-lem through dietary means. Enset processing is also reportedly a high labour demanding activity that traditionally falls to women. The mitigation strategy we suggest is to introduce appropriate technology for processing that can save labour.

In South Tigray, sorghum is a major crop that is widely grown where maize is not suitable and therefore some farmers cannot benefit from maize value chain activities. The mitigation would be to include sorghum as a Value Chain commodity in AGP 2. This is also true for many locally produced crops that are included for specific Regions in section on Value Chains for more examples of specific crops that can be brought into the value chain work.Also in Tigray some varieties of wheat and oats are diminishing in the farming system. Peas (dakkoko) are not in the farming system any more. The mitigation again is to value local crops and local knowledge and to harness local varieties and local farmers knowledge to the benefit of nutrition.

The specific causes of under-nutrition need to be assessed at local woreda or livelihood zone level if possible. This could be one of the early tasks for the new Nutrition role at the woreda. Guidance for this analysis is available from NGOs (e.g. ACF)

Some activities need contextual focus such as BCC materials that need cultural, taboos, gender issues and language considerations, for example.

Working with appropriate partners for local context, CBOs that are appropriate to the local context. From the nutrition needs perspective locally adaptable and acceptable and nutrient dense crops

need to be given focus, e.g. special pea is produced in Tigray that is high protein crop. Increase the number of value chain crops based on local agricultural practices and to include

those that are locally acceptable consumed locally and high nutrient addressing identified specific nutrition needs as well as for export.

3.1.2. Incorporation of explicit nutrition objectives and indicators into their designThere is a timely opportunity to introduce nutrition objectives into AGP because the momentum for linking nutrition and agriculture in Ethiopia is strong and high level strategies call for this, such as the Growth and Transformational Plan31 and the Ethiopia Post Compact Investment Plan with a target for 3% annual reduction in stunting32. Also the Scaling up Nutrition movement is building support for nutrition-sensitive activities.There will also be challenges for introducing nutrition objectives. These have been described throughout this document. Coordination between the Agriculture and Health sectors, for example presents a challenge. The desire for increasing production and productivity for export with less emphasis on local food security is also a challenge. The concentration of value chain activities on a few crops is a challenge for agricultural diversification. Gender roles and priorities for women’s time and lack of support for appropriate technologies for women are also challenges. The priorities of government and donors will determine the extent to which these challenges can be overcome.

The objectives for AGP to include nutrition mainstreaming were discussed with stakeholders and these are detailed in section 4.1 where the Consultants describe the suggested objectives, indicators and activities.

3.1.3. Targeting the vulnerable and improving equityCurrent situation:The criteria used for targeting of AGP woredas is as follows (section 2.4 of the AGP Program Implementation Manual33: Access to markets (access to cities of 50,000 population or over in less than 5 hours); Natural resource endowment (factors to consider are good rainfall distribution with annual average

of 700 mm or over); Suitable rainfall and soil for crop and fodder production; Potential for development of small-scale irrigation facilities; Institutional plurality of service providers, including good basis and growth of viable cooperatives

and farmer groups; and existing partnership engagements with private sector, and Willingness and commitment to participate (supportive environment; performance of

projects/programs supported by other donors).

In addition to the above selection criteria, the new project AGP 2 has been responsive to region’s request to consider PSNP woredas if they were able to demonstrate that they have high potential for growth. The main targeting of interventions under AGP is small and medium-scale farmers who crop an average of less than 1 hectare (0.23 to 2.3) .The AGP is targeted at the woreda level and farmers participate according to their interests and ability to buy the necessary technologies at FTCs. CIGs target women and youth who also participate according to their interest and ability to invest initially. Other beneficiaries of the AGP are large commercial farms, farmer organizations, traders, agro-processors, and others.The Allied programmes (AMD, LMD) are not specifically targeted, but participation is based on in-terest and ability of farmers and business to participate. ENGINE is specifically targeted to vulnerable households for direct interventions but the numbers included are very small.

31 Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Growth and Transformation Plan 2010-2014. 2010.32 Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Ethiopia's Agriculture Sector Policy and Investment Framework 2010-20120. 2010.33 Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia: Ministry of Agriculture. Agricultural Growth Program; Program Implementation Manual. 2010

Challenges:For nutritional benefit it is important that small and marginal farmers particularly women benefit from interventions. Also gains in income controlled by women have greater likelihood for children’s nutri -tion improvement. There is a concern that marginal and poor farmers will not be able to participate because they may not have sufficient access to resources to invest. If small farmers do not benefit re-lative to other better off farmers then effectively they could be relatively worse off. It is therefore im-portant to know who is and who is not benefiting from AGP. Monitoring data in AGP 1 is disaggreg-ated by gender, but from the project documents reviewed it is not clear who is benefiting from AGP activities in terms of socio-economic status. For nutrition benefit and to prevent chronic undernutrition, nutrition activities are usually targeted to pregnant and lactating mothers and to children under 2 during the ‘first 1000 days’. For nutrition pro -motion activities it is important to target women and to concentrate efforts on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF). For nutrition-sensitive agriculture due consideration needs to be given to this age group, but agriculture improvement can benefit a wider group including men, older people, adoles-cents. It does not therefore necessarily make sense to target activities to the first 1000 days. However the ‘do no harm’ guideline is important, i.e. women’s ability to provide care should not be jeopardised through their participation in agricultural activities.

Recommendations: It is necessary that consideration be given to access to food as part of the requirement for

adequate food security. Hence access of the poor is an important consideration. The nutrition mainstreaming approach recommends a three-pronged approach: 1) to stimulate consumers own production of diverse foods that are needed to meet all food security requirements and 2) to suggest improvements to market access for the vulnerable. 3) to support income generation for vulnerable groups, such as women’s CIGs. The AGP includes these aspects already but they are not described in the documents as a targeting strategy.

For AGP2 women to be specifically targeted for interventions and follow up to ensure that this happens in practice. See section below on gender.

AGP already targets youth and women for CIG initiatives, and the Consultants support this targeting as a useful entry point for nutrition, provided women’s workload is not increased such that child care is adversely affected.

During monitoring it would be useful to identify who in the community has benefited from AGP activities, small, medium large farmers, landless, women youth. A particular analysis of who benefits from AGP activities is needed with clear understanding of why or why not individuals have participated in activities. This could be followed up with adjustments to activities based on ability to participate. For example, poor households may need special credit to join CIGs.

For BCC activities (see below) targeting men as well as women and adolescent girls is necessary to ensure their understanding is improved and they direct resources towards nutrient dense foods.

3.1.4. Collaboration and coordination with other sectors The National Nutrition Programme34 is a valuable tool to facilitate collaboration and coordination for nutrition across 9 sectors. It is being rolled out from the Federal level to Kebele level with differing progress across the AGP Regions. The leadership and membership of the coordination and technical committees vary also. In all Regions the NNP had been launched at the Regional level but none of the AGP coordinators were members of NNP coordination body. The level of implementation of NNP varies from woreda to woreda.

Region Chair of Nutrition Coordination committee

Launched at: New Nutrition role within Agriculture Extension

Tigray BoA Region Nutrition and Post Harvest

Amhara BoH Region, Woreda, Kebele Food technologistSNNPR BoH Region, Woreda, in

ENGINE operational areas

Rural Women Extension

Oromia Not yet decided between BoH and BoA

Region, Woreda with ENGINE support

Home Agent

34 Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. National Nutrition Programme June 2013 - June 2015. 2013.

Opportunities for collaboration Coordination is facilitated where the focal person for NNP is working 100% on nutrition plans,

when NGO and kebele administrator are involved, and that training on process is led. There is an opportunity for AGP to be linked to the NNP process through coordination internally

within Agriculture The AGP coordinators at different levels will probably not be part of NNP committees but AGP

technical committees can invite nutrition expertise. Opportunities to work between Health, Agriculture and Education for example to utilise schools for

demonstration purposes at kebele level. Box 4 describes the situation in Halaba special woreda that was one of the case studies for this

assignment. The case study shows what is possible if coordination across sectors is encouraged at all levels. Also the presence of several NGOs in the long term has facilitated nutrition sensitive activities.

Challenges related to coordination:Although some steering and technical meetings are taking place there are problems with technical capacity, development of work plans and clear accountability for actions and information flow.

Recommendations AGP technical committees at all levels include people with nutrition expertise, perhaps those who

are linked to NNP, from Health sector. Nutritionists are being recruited to MoA and BoA in the structure to strengthen the capacity for

nutrition at Regional level and Federal level. The old position of Home Economist within Extension was a clear entry point for work on food-based nutrition support for the Development Agents.

There need to be clear guidelines for Extension services to make clear the roles for agriculture and health to deliver BCC activities on nutrition.

The new Nutrition role can join the AGP technical committee to oversee nutrition mainstreaming and also link with NNP at Federal level.

As described in Box 4 regular coordination between the different sectors can foster innovations for local nutrition sensitive actions. AGP can encourage these interactions by supporting joint training and kebele and woreda level coordination structures.

M&E framework including regular reporting to nutrition coordination and technical committees on nutrition outcomes of AGP activities.

3.1.5. Maintaining or improving the natural resource base AGP includes Natural Resource Management activities such as soil and water conservation, composting skills, how to use farmyard manure, use of bio-fertiliser and crop rotations at FTC level. For AGP 2 ‘sustainability’ is proposed as a high level objective giving a good opportunity to maintain natural resource base in operational areas.

Challenges: Some indigenous nutritious varieties such as dakoko (pea) in Amhara are not being grown

sufficiently to preserve the genetic resource. This means a source of good nutrition could be lost. There is a link between soil quality in terms of micronutrients and nutritional status of foods, so soil

conservation and fertility management is important for nutrition and productivity. There is a concern for natural resources of soil, water and biodiversity with the widespread use of

High Yielding Varieties and exotic livestock breeds and high input of fertilisers associated with these varieties.

Recommendations Environment and Social impact studies are necessary for infrastructure works. These could be

extended for the agricultural activities to assess impact of AGP 2 on soil, water and genetic resources.

AGP 2 could have a clear objective on maintenance of natural resources – soil, water and biodiversity. AGP 2 could build links to the Biodiversity Institute and support farmers who plant local landraces and offer support to NRM extension for this role.

Best practice criteria could include farmers who practice conservation farming and who protect genetic resources by planting landrace varieties impacting identified nutrition gaps.

FTC should value indigenous farming practices such as intercropping, bund planting and use of animal manures composting and support on improving agronomic practice for local varieties addressing identified nutritional constraints/needs/priorities.

3.1.6. Empowering women Women are a key entry point for nutrition – to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. They are also the ones responsible for household food issues. Adequate maternal nutrition is important to prevent child malnutrition, and to have strength to be productive as well as maternal nutrition being a basic human right.

AGP and allied projects are working to support women in various ways: The AGP supports women and youth and inclusively is a high level Project Development Objective The Common Interest Groups (CIGs) are either targeted to women, youth or mixed groups and

offer the opportunity for women to build small businesses and produce high nutrient crops such as vegetables as a group.

The AGP is also working to increase representation of women on Cooperatives. The ENGINE programme targets a small number of vulnerable women with intensive support for

production of high nutrient crops, livestock support, income and credit schemes and BCC activities.

From woreda visits the following opportunities were observed or reported: Women control of certain livestock products and Back Yard vegetables, for example the utilisation

of milk in the household in Tigray; milk products such as cheese, buttermilk are available for children’s consumption.

Women headed households are a potential entry point at Cooperatives because they are able to present a woman’s perspective and they have full authority to attend meetings and trainings and are able to speak out at meetings. They can also share knowledge with other married women.

Challenges: The challenges described below have to be very carefully taken into account for the design of nutrition sensitive interventions, to ensure women targeting and participation: Women workload at field and household level (production, child caring, food and water provision

for the household). Appropriate technology is needed for women in their roles in post harvest processing to ease the

burden, for example in processing enset which is very labour intensive. Cooperative membership is dominated by men; women usually join only when they are a female

headed household. When wives join a coop they are reluctant to participate and defer to their husbands; their membership is sometimes just symbolic.

In many households women eat last after men and children, so they can be left with a small quantity of poor quality food and hence are vulnerable to malnutrition.

Women are reluctant to improve diets during pregnancy for fear of having a difficult complicated birth. Also they are not consuming some animal products and foods because of belief systems and misconceptions.

Women and men are not aware of the nutritional value of crops for home consumption and therefore do not always value their own production for home consumption.

Women’s participate in the private sector is also an important challenge – their access to resources for agriculture through cooperatives is a challenge because of their poor representation on cooperatives.

Agriculture production, for various reasons is lower for women than for men35.

Recommendations: Improved technologies and practices for agricultural production, for cooking and food processing,

water provision In general, AGP should consider women’s work in irrigation works, CIGs, infrastructures and food

processing in relation to time available for child care, More emphasis of women’s involvement in appropriate technology to aid utilisation of foods

produced, particularly high nutrient foods such as fruit vegetable, for example solar driers, energy efficient stoves. Also post harvest CIGs such as mills, milk processing to give women the opportunity to participate in Value Chains.

BCC activities need to be scaled up and delivered through multiple reinforcing sources, such as women’s groups, Women’s Development Army, FTCs and groups of men.

35 Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II, International Food Policy Research Institute. AGP of Ethiopia Baseline Report 2011. 2013.

Because women have poor economic control of food resources and are not prioritised at meal times within the household, it is necessary to teach men’s groups about the importance of nutrition and food utilisation.

Strengthen the support to women’s groups who are producing nutrient dense foods, because this food is more likely to be used for home consumption as well as sale.

3.1.7. Facilitating production diversification, and increasing production of nutrient-dense crops and small-scale livestock Opportunities AGP supports a diversity of nutrient dense crops and livestock production through training and

demonstration at FTCs, seed multiplication, nurseries (horticulture crops, legumes, fruit, livestock, and fish). Some biofortified crops are being piloted: QPM, OFSP for example. Improved varieties are supported where possible otherwise local varieties.

CIGs have been supported for dairy, honey, poultry, small livestock, fish, as well as irrigation schemes for horticultural crops. Some CIGs working on post harvest processing for shoro, pepper and wheat grinding

In addition ENGINE supports training on production and cooking demonstrations at schools, FTC for vulnerable women’s groups on horticultural crops, small livestock. ENGINE also gives training for DA and HEW.

Challenges There are no assessments of food security at household level in the AGP woredas – and the

national assessments are based on food production rather than access and utilisation. Respondents reported that most diverse crops are produced for sale and little is consumed in the

home to improve dietary diversity and nutrition36. Post harvest support from extension is minimal so consumption and sale of seasonal and

perishable foods is restricted to a short harvest period. Food culture, taboos and other restrictions limit home consumption of some foods, such as

beetroot, eggs, chicken. Even with knowledge on diet diversity it is not practiced due to lack of knowledge on cooking methods.

AGP promotes marketing but there is little awareness raising on consumption for nutrition Insufficient nurseries are available for highland fruits. Sorghum and millet research is a major component of the crop research and a number of high

yielding varieties were released for different agro-ecological zones. Insufficient research, however focuses on agronomic practices to improve production.

Food products produced by the private sector do not take nutritional quality into consideration.

Recommendations Increase piloting and roll out of biofortified crops such as QPM and OFSP and others at FTC. The

AGP needs to keep abreast of developments in biofortification and promote biofortified crops where there is a defined need and where there is no risk to local biodiversity.

inclusion of nutritional objectives in the agricultural research strategy to produce more nutrient dense staple crops and ensure sustainable food based solution for the prevailing micronutrient deficiencies.

Food and nutrition security assessments should be carried out in AGP in addition to PSNP woredas

Strengthen promotion of vegetable gardens, orchards, legumes including nutrient dense local varieties including through support for CIGs for youth and women. This is particularly necessary on the basis of micro-nutrient deficiencies identified for under-two children and women of reproductive age, but the whole population would benefit from this.

Improve capacity for nursery sites, fish hatcheries, poultry multiplication and other support to diversify production (mixture of vegetables, fruits pulses, animal products, etc.) and address nutrition problems.

36 The AGP baseline report (Table 6.1) shows that the proportion of own production that is sold vs consumed varies by crop. The highest proportion consumed is cereals (59 to 75%). 55% of pulse production is consumed; 66% of vegetable production is consumed 53% of fruit and 58% of coffee and 12% of oil seeds. These results would seem to contradict the reports that most diverse foods are sold rather than consumed with the exception of oil seeds that are grown primarily for sale in AGP woredas.(Ethiopia Strategy Support Program II, International Food Policy Research Institute. AGP of Ethiopia Baseline Report 2011. 2013)

Post harvest handling, cooking demonstrations and nutrition knowledge needed & this could be delivered through FTC, WDA, CIGs and other groups by DAs following training. Nutrient retaining indigenous methods on food preservations and processing methods to be supported.

Value chain activities can include more locally produced culturally appropriate and nutrient dense crops.

Best practice farming practice could include a criterion for promoting high nutritional value crops. More emphasis should be put on research for widely consumed staple and for high nutrient crops

to improve their productivity. Behavioural research is needed on barriers to consumption of nutrient dense foods. This is

already started by ACDI/VOCA as part of AMD. This can be used to focus on particular constraints to practicing diet diversity.

DAs should be trained in nutrition so they can advise farmers on integrated planting schemes for nutritional value.

The value chains can be expanded to include more nutrient dense crops (see section below) Work closely with private sector to develop public-private partnerships supporting dietary

diversity, improvement to the nutritional quality of foods through plant breeding approaches, agronomic approaches through minimising the loss of nutrients in processing, and the development biofortified crops, fortified foods.

3.1.8. Improving processing, storage and preservation Opportunities CIGs have been set up on post harvest activities e.g. wheat processing, legume processing.

There is a role at woreda for post harvest and a DA on crop production includes post harvest work, but it is so far not well supported.

Cheese production in some parts of Amhara is helping to reduce waste of milk during fasting period.

The widespread production of injera is a practice that retains nutrients and can be made by households, also a business for women in towns.

Challenges Perishable foods lose value or are wasted and are not marketable due to poor storage, handling

and poor market links. Processing storage preservation and post harvest activities in general are usually a woman’s

responsibility. This area has lost emphasis in the Agriculture Extension System and is also not covered by Health. E.g. enset processing is very labour and time intensive in SNNPR.

Nutrients are lost in hyper processing of foods such as white flour and other cereal products that are expensive when purchased. This is a challenge particularly for urban population consuming processed food. Biscuits and other baked goods are being consumed even by children in villages.

Poor linkages between producers and consumers for value chain commodities for example milk products are not necessarily available locally for consumption.

Recommendations Box 3 shows examples of post harvest technologies that are ready for dissemination to assist

farmers in post harvest Linkages between value chain commodities like milk need to be made between producers, private

sector and local consumers. Processing and storage are key to increase local consumption. Opportunities to expand post harvest through CIGs and value addition through processing and

appropriate technologies that retain nutrients e.g. grinding, energy efficient stoves, solar driers. A new DA position on nutrition and cooking demonstration could be created to add to the existing

DA roles; and/or the existing DAs could take on the task of supporting post harvest work with training. The DAs need more capacity building on post harvest.

Training should be delivered through FTC on post harvest for men and women’s groups on perishable goods to bridge a seasonal gap in production of perishable goods.

Research and development is needed on appropriate technologies for post harvest. Private sector industries should be engaged to foster the R&D on post harvesting technologies.

Box 3: Examples of Post Harvest Technologies

3.1.9. Expanding markets and market access for vulnerable groups, particularly for marketing nutritious foods incorporating Value ChainsOpportunities The Value chains supported by AMD in component 1.3 include wheat, maize, chick pea, sesame,

honey and coffee depending on the Region and the products that are suitable for the agro-ecological zone.

There is a good opportunity for women’s CIGs to link with value chain work. Where local markets are available these are used by farmers for milk, vegetables, butter, and fish.

Where there isn’t a local market or links to market farmers are selling to traders who take food to distant markets.

AGP is constructing roads to improve market linkages and to bring inputs.

Challenges There is a narrow range of value chains in the list for AGP1 and the local context or nutritional

value has not so far been considered. For nutritional benefit, it is unclear whether it is an advantage or a disadvantage to be included in the priority value chain – because if this results in greater export rather than local consumption, there could be negative impact on food security. The value chain crops have not been assessed for their contribution to food and nutrition security of the populations producing them, nor the impact on wider population of Ethiopia.

Varieties supported are developed at National Agriculture Research Centres with less involvement from Regional Agriculture Research Centres so they are not working on locally familiar crops that are regularly used in communities.

Chick pea variety for value chains is suitable for export rather than local consumption (Amhara) Honey production has faced problems with insecticides used in the locality and the bees have

flown away (Guangua, Amhara) The current marketing is a one way journey for foods away from communities. Nutritional foods

are not being returned with the proceeds from sale. For example milk from Oromia is being sent to Addis and no products return to the community.

The food system in Ethiopia needs to prevent introduction of ultra-processed foods that are linked to obesity and poor nutrition, such as highly processed staples, sugary, fatty foods with low essential nutrient content37. Overweight and obesity are rising in Ethiopia and the AGP and allied

37 Monteiro CA, Levy RB, Claro RM, de Castro IsRR, Cannon G. Increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods and likely impact on human health: evidence from Brazil. Public Health Nutrition;14:5-13.

Examples from Melkassa Research Center of EIAR:

1. Metal silo for hermetic storage developed by CIMMYT and FAO to prolong shelf life to maize and other cereals. Capacity 300, 500 or 1000kg for individual farmers. Advantages: removes air, prevents mycotoxins. Challenge is in the manufacture and keeping to specific design. Not yet disseminated. This would be appropriate for most kebeles because it is used for all cereals.

2. Wooden enset processor low technology appropriate to save labour of women. Easy technology to make in a village by a CIG in the south in enset producing area. This could be disseminated now. This for the enset producing areas.

3. Cassava chipper – facilitates drying and saves women’s labour. Ready for dissemination4. Mechanical milk churner. Labour saving innovation for CIG or household level. 5. Solar drier prototype – 2 designs, box design and tent design. Designed for drying perishable

foods, such as horticultural crops. Ready to disseminate.6. Potato digger for harvesting. Advantage is that it prevents damage of the potato whilst harvest-

ing7. Tomato seed extractor to extract seeds easily and also the tomato juice. This is ready to go.

Would be appropriate for both purposes to be used at FTC or as a small enterprise at village level.

8. Threshers small scale for maize, wheat and teff – can be transported with a cart. Labour saving technology for men and affects the quality because it can be harvested timely and processed quickly. It also enables people to carry out threshing without having livestock.

projects have a role to play in preventing the acceleration of this transition by reducing the flow of agricultural products to ultra- processing industries.

Recommendations Value chains for nutrition approaches could be introduced such as giving focus to nutrient dense

crops and crops for local consumption as well as export. Some examples are sorghum and peas in South Tigray, rice, fava bean, sorghum, teff, soy tomatoes, peppers, fish in parts of Amhara, mango, banana, avocado, cassava, potato suggested in SNNPR. For Oromia lentil, soybean, malt barley and teff.

Nutrition value chain analysis could use the ‘Cost of Diet’ software to identify gaps in potential commodities to be supported through the value chain to provide, for example essential micronutrients lacking in diets.

The nutritional quality of value chain crops to be assessed through the value chain. This could be useful particularly for biofortified crops to assess whether the nutrients are available in the products as consumed.

Intercropping of value chain crops with other crops providing complementary nutrients for soil health, plant health and for balanced diet would provide advantages for agricultural production, the environment and for nutrition.

The AGP could commission a special analysis to assess the impact of the Value Chain activities on Food and Nutrition Security. This would cover the interventions carried out by AMD and LMD in addition to relevant activities within MoA supported by AGP.

3.1.10. Incorporating nutrition promotion and education Opportunities Nutrition promotion and education is being carried out through the Health Extension System and

cascaded to communities through the Women’s Development Army. The nutrition promotional activities are focused on women and cover the first 1000 days, which is

the critical window of opportunity to prevent stunting and is a definite priority. ENGINE is carrying out nutrition training in limited kebeles to both Agriculture and Health staff. AMD has carried out pilot barrier analysis to identify key constraints to practicing dietary diversity

(amongst other behaviours). This research to be expanded and used for tailoring BCC activities through Agriculture.

Challenges IEC/ BCC materials are available from MoH, ENGINE, AMD, Alive and Thrive and others but not

available within MoA for training on nutrition. Also materials are focused on first 1000 days. By focusing on first 1000 days various groups are

omitted – men, older women, teenagers for example. There is limited capacity within the Agriculture Sector for nutrition promotion activities; therefore

capacity building is essential for delivery of activities in this area.

The LMD and AMD activities related to BCC that address the area of Nutrition Promotion have not yet been assessed for impact and it is not clear how widespread they are in practice. The ENGINE programme currently targets a very small number of vulnerable women in each woreda. BCC activities are definitely needed but should be widely available and the Value Chain foods should not be over-emphasised in the promotional material. A broad approach is needed to promote dietary diversity. The section on Value chains below describes further details on challenges and recommendations for this area of work. and therefore the nutrition promotion activities need to be available to a much larger group.

Recommendations It is necessary to understand the local context: i.e. local agriculture, food culture or languages,

taboos and misconceptions, barrier to behaviour change. BCC materials using this information. should be developed.

The capacity building for the new Nutrition roles and DAs needs to be focused on practical training for nutrition including cooking demonstrations.

Target religious leaders elders, traditional healers (kalicha) with BCC because they have influence on local culture and taboos, etc.

BCC materials need to include nutrition and hygiene during food processing, food handling, cooking and the use of locally produced foods.

Box 4: Coordination and capacity building case study

Halaba special woreda in SNNPR

The Halaba special woreda is not a AGP woreda: it is a woreda with poor food security and is therefore targeted for the PSNP. There are several coordination structures and systems that serve as an example for AGP coordination. Halaba has had longer term NGO support than is typical of the AGP woredas. There are several examples of good practice that are a useful model for AGP.

Coordination: The woreda and kebeles have been using the ‘Command Post Structure’ to build coordination mechanisms between sectors including Agriculture, Health Women and Youth Affairs, Water, Marketing. This experience facilitated the formation of NNP committees. NNP has been rolled out to the kebele level and orientation has already taken place for HEW and is planned for DAs. The command post structure at kebele level includes Health, Agriculture and Education front-line staff. This helps them to plan together and evaluate performance through regular meetings. Weekly meetings are held to evaluate and plan with DA, HEW and schools.

Proximity of Health post, FTC and schools facilitates collaborative working, for example the Women’s Development Army (WDA) uses the FTC for demonstration of vegetable growing. HEWs are working with schools to teach about hygiene and sanitation for school children. DAs and HEW arrange schedules together for community visits enabling further collaboration across the sectors. HEW and DAs go to neighbouring kebeles for experience sharing in joint visits. Farmer Field days occur annually where cooking demonstrations are carried out at the FTCs led by HEW.

Capacity building activities are coordinated at the woreda and kebele levels. Focal persons from Woreda Health Office support the HEW twice per week and there are experience-sharing meetings amongst nearby Health posts in the 1:5 arrangement (i.e. in groups of 5 kebeles). There is also a weekly evaluation of activities at Woreda level involving Health, Agriculture, Education. At the kebele level each group of mothers is evaluated and the information is posted in the Health Post as a form of motivation. The school teachers and DAs are also part of this evaluation group. ‘Model’ women are chosen by the WDA based on model IYCF and other health practices. These women are directly supported and their capacity built for health promotion by the HEW.

Nutrition Promotion is supported by various partners. UNICEF provide support to Community Based Nutrition (CBN) programme. Capacity Building for nutrition actions is supported by Woreda Health Office, and NGOs including Integrated Family Health programme (IFHP/ Alive and Thrive). IFHP conduct essential nutrition action training for HEWs and supply BCC materials used by HEWs. Once per month there is a ‘Mothers forum’ for antenatal care where fathers also come to build awareness on IYCF and maternal care.

Cooking demonstrations are well supported with equipment, training and regular contact with the community who bring their own foods for cooking demonstration. At the health post additional foods are provided to augment those supplied by women, e.g. pulses. At Health post every 2 weeks there are cooking demonstrations for different groups from the WDA in rotation so each group comes every quarter. The model women attend this along with their group of 30 women. Cooking demonstrations are also hosted at the GMP sessions.

Farmer Training Centres are a focal point for training and demonstration on diverse food production. A range of fruits and vegetables are produced at FTC for demonstration. School children are trained in vegetable and other production at the FTCs and they share this knowledge with their families. Women are included in training at the FTC where they learn how to grow fruit and vegetables through WDA.

Community MobilisationThe WDA is an opportunity for community mobilisation. Model women support a group of 5 women leaders from the WDA and in turn the support is cascaded to a third level of women. This way a broad community of women are supported in health and nutrition practice. This arrangement facilitates mobilisation and information sharing by community for all health activities. Growth Monitoring and Promotion (part of CBN programme) is conducted at village level to identify whether child growth is faltering and to follow up with analysis of causes of malnutrition and support for IYCF practices. If children are malnourished they are referred to OTP for treatment.

3.1.11. Capacity building for nutrition sensitivityOpportunities New Nutrition positions are being created in Extension in all Regions; these are similar to the old

Home Economic role that was discontinued several years ago. Some training by HEW is given on cooking demonstrations, but only to women’s groups. Trainings are given by ENGINE to HEW, Schools on Nutrition.

Challenges There is little understanding on nutrition or nutrition sensitive agriculture at any level in the MoA

structure. At Regional level there is no one with specific Nutrition role within BoA or AGP; there is no

responsibility or accountability for nutrition. At the DA level there is no specific role for nutrition in any Region. There is inadequate staffing of

DAs and fast turnover and new people needing training. Farmers are not knowledgeable on nutrition. Nutrition is considered the role of BoH and BoA has no connection to BoH through AGP. Senior managers are sometimes receiving the training that is needed by technical staff to build

their capacity.

Recommendations At the Federal level AGP a nutritionist could be recruited to join the FCU to oversee

mainstreaming nutrition in AGP, and to coordinate a joint analysis of nutrition issues, target groups and key stakeholders.

Joint planning for Health and Agriculture to work out clear plans and guidelines on who will cover what area of nutrition BCC at community level. Current NNP structure offers a good opportunity.

Through NNP process, specific nutrition training needs should be identified and joint trainings on nutrition arranged for BoA and BoH staff at all levels

A nutrition dedicated person within BoA should be available at Regional level linked to AGP to assist nutrition mainstreaming in Agriculture. Regional Extension need capacity building to plan for BCC and then to support roll out to Woreda and Kebeles. Clear accountability structure should be developed for nutrition within the AGP.

Training in nutrition should be rolled out to all levels starting with Region and NNP steering and technical committees.

The new Nutrition roles can be supported by AGP and brought into AGP coordination structures at Regional, Woreda levels. The Agriculture Extension role will be defined by the Ministry of Agriculture, but could for instance include the planning, implementation and monitoring of nutrition sensitive activities.

DA at kebele level to be trained on nutrition and supported to teach farmers and introduce nutrition sensitive agriculture at FTC. Also Coops and CIGs to be trained on post harvest/ nutrition.

It should be decided for each Region whether new DA position is needed for nutrition role or whether this can be achieved using existing staff.

Regular review meetings in the context of the NNP and AGP M&E framework assessing implementation progress of nutrition sensitive actions and target indicators.

Experience sharing visits to be arranged for Extension staff to visit other Regions.

3.1.12. Extension Services for nutrition sensitivityOpportunities

AGP supports the Agriculture Extension System activities of technical staff at woreda level, of Development Agents (DA) at kebele level, and of FTCs. There are DAs responsible for crop production, livestock production and Natural Resource Management. The DAs support FTCs with a package for each crop.

Health Extension works on Nutrition as one of 16 packages of support to PLW and children in the first 1000 days through pregnancy to 24 months. Women are supported with BCC activities through a cascade of training from woreda to kebele. Cooking demonstrations given to the Women’s Development Army by HEW.

Challenges The focus of Extension support is on production, not on post harvest or on consumption,

particularly for non staple foods Full package of support through ENGINE is limited to the most vulnerable.

Recommendations The new Nutrition role developed because of NNP at the Region and Woreda for Nutrition and

Post Harvest; Food technologist; Rural Women Extension; Home Agent could be supported by AGP 2 to roll out NNP activities relevant to AGP.

Farmers should be encouraged to practice organic farming where it is productive and supportive to genetic resources and natural resources to conserve both.

Consumption, post harvest technologies and nutrition to be supported through DA role. Full support to CIGs needs to be available to support improvements to food availability and

consumption e.g. food processing and preservation.

3.1.13. ‘Do no harm’ prevention of detrimental consequences and opportunity costs of AGP activities The use of improved varieties presents challenges for sustainable production because

improvement is short-lived as pest and diseases develop. This necessitates regular development and dissemination of new varieties which are difficult to breed if genetic resources are eroded.

There were reports of problems for bee keeping where insecticides are used. In that case the bees migrate from the hive. This should be taken as a possible hazard for beneficial insects as a whole and for cross pollination role of bees in particular.

Women have enormous workload for agriculture, processing and childcare. PLW are involved in agriculture activities until birth and processing is very time consuming.

Recommendations There should be mitigation mechanism for any potential threats to genetic diversity. Careful consideration should be given to pest management to avoid loss of beneficial insects. AGP needs to focus on appropriate technology for labour and time saving of mothers. In general, AGP should consider women’s work in irrigation works, CIGs, infrastructures etc.

Box 5: Case study on Legume Research at Hawassa University

3.1.14. Research CASCAPE is currently working on Action research related to Best Practice validation with links to Regional Universities. Integrated research on legumes to promote their production, post harvest, bioavailability and to

promote consumption. The work at Awassa University is a useful case study for this) Box 5Box 5 Action Research is needed to support appropriate post harvest technology for women and explore

women’s time and value addition of food. Specific nutrition needs of under-two children, women and adolescent girls have to be addressed. Other groups also need to be supported: for example, addressing farmers nutrition and health is important to support their productivity

More emphasis on research for widely consumed staples such as sorghum, millet and for high nutrient crops to improve their productivity and hence for possible value chain promotion.

Nutrition value chain analysis could use the ‘Cost of Diet’ software to identify gaps in potential commodities to be supported through the value chain to provide, for example essential micronutrients lacking in diets.

From the Canadian International Food Security Research FundLead Dr Sheleme Beyene

Research approach ‘from field to finger’ focused on chickpea and haricot bean. The research project includes multi-sectoral integrated components:

1. Agriculture component: Introduction of improved varieties and soil fertility management in-cluding application of rhizobia inoculums. Also the use of soil micronutrients such as Zn foliar feed according to soil analysis. Training materials and manuals produced for farmers with train-ing for SMS and DAs in operational areas. Trials of intercropping show high yields. Double cropping of chick pea following maize.

2. Food technology component has tested preparations for bioavailability for example, by de-hulling, drying, soaking, germination. Zn and Iron bioavailability through proxy measurement of phytate: zinc ratio. Project has developed new products such as flat bread with cereal and pulse and also complementary foods for children. The germination of chick peas produces more bio-available nutrients for children’s complementary foods

3. Nutrition component: Operational research on BCC methods through training of 2 separate communities and control. Focus on Fe and Zn nutrition. Development of training manuals based on research on post harvest handling, processing and nutrition.

4. Social marketing: Trials of acceptability, taste of new varieties, social marketing, prices and general promotion activities around the pulse crops and BCC activities. Baseline studies on an-thropometry, dietary diversity and monitoring for 3 and 6 months of programme. Early results show improvement in dietary diversity.

Recommendations1. Recommendation for growing chick pea after maize as a second harvest where possible to

make use of free land and labour availability. Also intercropping of maize and chickpea pro-duces a good land equivalent ratio. DAs need to be trained to understand mixed cropping and to find the best arrangements for the area.

2. Research on these crops should consider the variability of soil types as the productivity of cer-tain crops/varieties varied accordingly. Participatory variety selection should be considered in the course of the research.

3. Identifying local best practices and build up on it. This applies to both cropping practices and processing techniques building on local indigenous practices. Indigenous preparation need to be tested against current scientific knowledge.

4. More attention on preparation methods for women to prepare complimentary foods that incor-porate not just cereals but legumes to improve the protein quality and availability of other nutri-ents. Also to add oil, fruit and vegetables.

5. Sprouting/ germination improves the bioavailability of legumes and also the cooking time, this practice to be encouraged for micronutrient deficiencies such as Zn and Fe.

6. Consider time, acceptability, training for women to get the benefit from growing chickpea.

Nutrient rich crops including biofortified crops to enhance micronutrient content that are adapted to the Ethiopia context. This also includes analysis of local varieties that are inherently high in micronutrients.

The nutritional quality of value chain crops to be assessed through the value chain. This could be useful particularly for biofortified crops to assess whether the nutrients are available in the products as consumed.

There are inherent assumptions in AGP that productivity will reduce prices and hence support food security or that farmers will use income from increased agricultural production on nutrition enhancing expenditure. These assumptions could be tested empirically.

The causes of chronic undernutrition need to be investigated in the AGP woredas. There are tools for this available from NGOs such as ACF

Behavioural research is needed on barriers to consumption of nutrient dense foods. This is already started by ACDI/VOCA as part of AMD. This can be used to focus on particular constraints to practicing diet diversity.

The following section on Intervention Proposals (section 4) details the suggested objectives for nutrition mainstreaming in AGP 2 and suggested activities arranged according to the AGP 2 draft components. For some selected activities rough budgets are presented in the Annex.

4. Intervention ProposalsThe intervention proposal was discussed with AGP staff at the AGP formulation meetings and feedback sought from a wide range of stakeholders through presentations in Addis Ababa.

Pathways for Nutrition mainstreaming in AGP 2The suggested pathways for mainstreaming Nutrition in the AGP project (Figure 2) are based on the Ethiopian framework designed by USAID (Figure 1). The Consultants have added an outcome for improvement in nutrition of the farmers. This feeds into farm productivity directly. Thus nutrition is both an input and an outcome of the AGP. Productive farmers are those that are well nourished and productive agriculture supports nutrition improvement. The pathways from Income through food expenditure and food prices have been downplayed in this model due to lack of evidence for these pathways (see Section 1.5.2.). This means the Consultants are focusing on 3 main pathways to nutrition improvement: Direct food supply to consumption to nutrient intake and Female employment/ resources via caring capacity and practices, energy expenditure, and

mothers’ nutrition outcomes. Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) to improve nutrition behaviours.Figure 2 Pathways for Nutrition mainstreaming in AGP 2

4.1. Programme Development Objectives (PDO) & indicators for nutrition sensitivity, logical framework

4.1.1. Objectives for AGPAGP 2 Programme Development ObjectiveThe draft PDO for AGP 2 has not changed from the PDO used for AGP 1:‘increasing agricultural productivity and commercialization (market access) for key crop and livestock products38 in targeted woredas with increased participation of women and youth’.

38 Key commodities are defined as those making up the bulk of current agricultural commodities in the selected woredas and including the ones selected under the agribusiness value-chain activity.

Adapted from: Stuart Gillespie, Jody Harris, and Suneetha Kadiyala, 2012 The Agriculture-Nutrition Disconnect in India, What Do We Know? IFPRI Discussion Paper

01187

Food consumption

Food expenditure

Social Capital Expenditures*

Nutrient intake

Child nutrition

outcomes

Health statusMother’s nutrition

outcomes

Health care expenditure

Female employment /

resources

Farmers Productivity

Income (agricultural and

non-agricultural)

Caring capacity & practices

Female energy

expenditure

Food Supply

Demand for Nutritious

Food

National economic

growth

WASH

Nutrient absorption

SBCCValue Chain

*Health, Education, Quality of life, non-productive (alcohol)

Farmer nutrition

outcomes

Natural resource management (water, soil)

Food prices

Recommended PDO to include Nutrition and Sustainability:To incorporate nutrition mainstreaming into the PDO, so that it has an explicit nutrition objectives and indicators, we suggest that the proposed Project Development Objective of AGP 2 to include the fol-lowing suggested amendment: ‘Sustainable, nutrition sensitive and inclusive growth in smallholder agriculture productivity and

enhanced market access through linkages with value chains of selected livestock and crop products’.

The cross cutting issues that have been introduced into AGP 2 are being brought into the objectives for each component so the outcome takes into consideration the cross-cutting issues (gender, nutrition youth development, climate smart agriculture mainstreaming, capacity development). This will help to mainstream nutrition into all components. The objectives for each component of AGP 2 are being drawn up through the formulation process at the time of writing.

4.1.2. Objectives for Nutrition Mainstreaming in AGP 2The objectives have been designed based on the Conceptual Model in Figure 3. The suggested de-velopment objectives, indicators and means of verification for nutrition mainstreaming are shown in Table 2 The overall objective is to ‘improve consumption of diverse and nutrient-dense foods for the population of AGP woredas with particular emphasis for children under 2 and women to contribute to the prevention of malnutrition and adults to improve productivity’. The Consultants are not suggesting a reduction in chronic undernutrition because would require activities directed to all causes and AGP activities are not designed to address all causes. For example, improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene and healthy environment have not been designed into the activities. Improvement in con-sumption is more directly related to AGP activities. Six specific objectives (SO) have been proposed that will lead together to this overall objective (Figure 3): The first SO is aligned closely to the main AGP objective of increased production. The post harvest handling, processing, food preparation is SO 2; this is where nutritional quality, acceptability, seasonal issues are dealt with. Income from production is more likely to have impact on nutrition if it is controlled by women, so women’s income is included as SO 3. SO 3: women's income. Increased awareness about nutrition through nutrition promotion is SO 4. Capacity of AGP to deliver on the various objectives is SO 5. Research support for post harvest is SO 6. For improved dietary consumption, food security and knowledge and resources controlled by women are all necessary, so SO 2, 3, 4 link to the Overall Objective. SO 7 is about coordination so is cross-cutting and is not depicted in Figure 3

Figure 3: Overall and Specific Objectives for Mainstreaming Nutrition in AGP 2

SO 1: Improved production and productivity of diverse

foods

SO 4: Increase awareness about

nutrition

SO 6: Support research and

dissemination of improved

production and post-harvest technologies

SO 5: Build capacity of staff about nutrition/ to

implement the NNP

SO 3: Improved income generating capacity of women

Overall Objective:Improved Dietary

Consumption

SO 2: Improved post harvest handling and

food preparation, processing and

preservation

The current proposed AGP indicators: The percentage increase in agricultural yields of participating households (an index of crops and

livestock products as changes in tons per ha). The percentage increase in total marketed volume and value of targeted crops and livestock

products per participating household.The key outcome indicators will be monitored for the average household as well as separately for female- and youth39-headed households.One of the guiding principles for nutrition mainstreaming is ‘target the vulnerable and improve equity’. It is therefore important to know who is participating and potentially benefiting from AGP interven-tions. It is important to assess the whole population rather than those directly benefiting from AGP and to understand the demographics of participation. This is important because it is not known how particip-ation relates to socio-economic status, i.e. do the poorer groups of society participate? And who actu-ally benefits from AGP in the communities? It would therefore be useful to include questions about participation in AGP activities and socio-economic status in surveys conducted.The proposed indicators for nutrition mainstreaming with means of verification are detailed in Table 2.

4.1.3. Monitoring and Evaluation for nutrition in AGP 2The design for M&E is described in Table 2 and proposed activities linked to the Specific Objectives in Table 3. Several of the outcome indicators proposed are already collected in the AGP M&E system and therefore require no extra activity. The inclusion of an indicator of chronic undernutrition (stunting) was suggested by some stakeholders, but after full consideration this is considered by the consultants to be inappropriate. It would not be possible to attribute changes in stunting to the programme activities. Also to meet the target a fuller set of nutrition activities might be necessary including nutrition specific activities, such as building water and sanitation facilities and health system strengthening. A consumption indicator was considered more appropriate for the overall objective. Also, the MoA does not include an indicator for nutritional status in the National Nutrition Programme monitoring system and since the AGP 2 will be implemented by the MoA a nutritional status indicator would be beyond their remit. The new activities for the evaluation are:

Dietary Diversity and Adequacy: A consumption survey to be carried out at baseline, preferably late 2015. This includes assessment of diet diversity and frequency for children 6-24 months and maternal diet diversity and household dietary diversity. Control woredas will be assigned from nearby woredas in the same Regions where AGP is not operational. The design will have to include reference and account for other programmes, such as ENGINE. The survey will be repeated at endline during the same season.

Index of nutrition knowledge of farmers, women and adolescents. A Knowledge, Attitude and Practice survey of a sample of AGP woredas to be undertaken with the Consumption survey mentioned above. The index will be constructed from between 5-10 knowledge questions related to nutrition, IYCF and other related topics.

Crop Diversity Index can be constructed from the data AGP collects on production of main crops. This will require some additional computing but no extra primary data collection

4.1.4. Proposed Activities for Nutrition Mainstreaming in AGP 2The activities for nutrition mainstreaming were derived from the recommendations outlined in the first section of the report. These are summarised below but detailed in Table 3. This table has listed the detailed suggested activities under each AGP 2 Main component. The activities are also linked to the Strategic Objectives for Nutrition Mainstreaming described in Table 2. Finally the activities are linked to the components of the National Nutrition Program that is described in section 1.44. The suggested implementation arrangements are also described in Table 2.

4.1.4.1. Production of Diversified foods Production and promotion of diversified foods by supporting the following interventions in component 1: Seed multiplication, FTC demonstrations, fruit nurseries, legume production, poultry promotion, dairy production, fisheries including hatcheries, apiculture, soil nutrient management. Horticulture pro-duction is supported by irrigation. CIGs supported to carry out production of nutrient dense crops

39 The official government definition of youth is from 13 to 34 years of age.

4.1.4.2. Post harvest handling and processingPost harvest handling and processing of all crops and animal foods to maintain nutritional quality and safety. Emphasis on local and appropriate technologies for food preservation, storage, processing. Promotion of technology that improves nutrition whilst adding economic value. These activities should be managed through CIG women and youth groups taking into consideration indigenous knowledge and new technologies.

4.1.4.3. Create capacity for nutrition mainstreaming at all levels Support Federal, Regional, Woreda and Kebele capacity building by in-service training and institu-tional support. Recruit of a Nutritionist for the AGP FCU to follow nutrition mainstreaming. Develop of an implementation manual for nutrition mainstreaming in AGP to be disseminated and adapted for all levels in the structure. Provision of equipment for FTCs to enable cooking and processing demonstra-tions. A new position in the structure at kebele level for a Development Agent to concentrate on post harvest handling processing and food preparation would enable the AGP mainstreaming nutrition to move forward, but this requires a change to the structure of ministry of Agriculture.

4.1.4.4. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Promotion of consumption of diversified foods using IEC (Information Education Communication) ma-terials adapted to the local language, culture, nutrition barriers, and local food production system. Re-cipes to be developed at local (woreda) level by New Nutrition role in collaboration with local com-munity/ mothers groups. Barrier analysis of child and maternal feeding practices will be carried out in selected woredas prior to the development of BCC strategies and materials. Awareness raising activ-ities delivered by BoA New Nutrition role at FTC on relevant topics such as nutrition, infant and young child feeding, processing, cooking demonstration, hygiene practices emphasizing use of local foods and prevention of nutrient loss (overcooking and over processing). Farmers are advised to plant nutri -ent dense foods and their capacity built to design nutritionally adequate cropping systems.

4.1.4.5. Value ChainInclude nutrient dense crops in Value Chain activities. Discourage ultra-processed food products through support to technologies that minimize nutrient loss in processing. Support to minimally pro-cessed foods (such as cracked wheat) for local consumption and sale. Structures built to protect per -ishable foods in markets to encourage purchase and consumption locally. Value chain activities to be encouraged for women’s CIGs to generate income controlled by women; this should also consider the work load and time costs for women to not adversely affect the time for child care.

4.1.4.6. ResearchResearch should be supported on understanding variability in the nutrient content of food related to: breeding for nutritional quality, e.g. biofortified crops, soil fertility management for nutritional quality, post harvest nutrient losses including through storage, processing, preparation; development and ad-option of technology for post harvest handling and processing appropriate for women and to maintain the nutritional quality of the food; support studies on food safety such as Aflatoxin testing in widely consumed staple foods and value chain crops to understand the magnitude and nature of the prob-lems; promote mitigation as necessary. It is important to understand the availability of nutrients of the foods in the value chain process particularly for biofortified crops and it should be supported by re-search findings.

4.1.4.7. CoordinationThere is a need for AGP to coordinate with the nutri tion unit in MoA and the National Nutrition Pro-gramme which includes many activities for nutrition sensitive agriculture with a wide geographical coverage. Coordination may be achieved through the New Nutrition role in Agriculture Extension Dept at all levels who may link to the NNP structures. Plans for AGP can then be aligned with NNP plans for Agriculture Sector at all levels. Collaboration between Heath Extension and DAs at kebele level would help to promote consumption of diversified foods: there need to be guidelines developed to cla-rify the areas of responsibility for each sector for promotional activities. Cross-sector coordination with private sector is also recommended to foster synergies between government local technical entities, AGP activities, regional producer federations, and private sector companies, and to link private sup-pliers of seeds with local AGP officers and apply nutrition criteria for procurement.

4.1.5. ImplementationSection 3.1.11 describes the opportunities, challenges and recommendations for implementation of nutrition mainstreaming activities. Table 3 shows the institutions and positions within each institution that are implicated in the proposed nutrition mainstreaming activities. The challenges are several there has been a lack of nutrition expertise in the structure of Ministry of Agriculture for design and implementation. There is a lack of technical capacity for nutrition mainstreaming at all levels and it is also reported that training that is available is not taken up by the most appropriate individuals. Only one new role, a nutritionist at Federal level is suggested because the AGP is restricted in its ability to recruit staff into the government. The AGP therefore needs to develop the capacity of existing staff. Within the MoA there is a good opportunity because new staff are being recruited for Nutrition roles. Table 4 describes suggested institutional arrangements and a brief summary of technical training needs. These need further elaboration with the necessary management structures. It is clear that nutrition mainstreaming is not widely understood as a concept.

Table 2: Logical framework for the AGP 2 project: Intervention logic Objectively verifiable indicators of achievement Sources and means of verification

Overall objectives

Overall objective: Improve consumption of diverse and nutrient-dense foods for the population of AGP woredas with particular emphasis on children under 2 and pregnant and lactating mothers to prevent malnutrition and with emphasis on improving the nutritional status of farmers.

Minimum acceptable diet: Proportion of children 6–23 months of age who receive a minimum acceptable diet. This includes both diet diversity and frequencyMinimum dietary diversity: Proportion of children 6–23 months of age who receive foods from 4 or more food groups Minimum meal frequency: Proportion of breastfed and non-breastfed children 6–23 months of age, who receive solid, semi-solid, or soft foods (but also including milk feeds for non-breastfed children) the minimum number of times or more.Women’s Dietary Diversity: Mean number of food groups consumed by women of reproductive age

Consumption surveys – for dietary diversity at household, child and women at baseline and endline with a sample of households on a population basis in AGP woredas and in control woreda. International standards on adequacy are available from WHO.Suggested implementer EPHI

Specific objective

SO 1: Increase production of a range of diverse nutrient-dense foods: fruit vegetables, animal products, legumes, cereals.

SO 1.1 Crop diversity index40:

SO 1.2 Women’s percentage increase in agricultural yield for poultry dairy and Backyard vegetables

1.1 This can be constructed from production data collected by AGP’s M&E system from CSA data and disaggregated as possible at woreda levelCSA at woreda 1.2 Is an AGP M&E indicator

Specific Objective

SO 2: Improve post harvest handling, preservation and processing to improve availability of good nutritional quality and safe foods to rural communities

SO 2.1 Household dietary diversity number of food groups consumed by any member of the householdThis is a measure of access to foods

Consumption surveys (as above)

Specific Objective

SO 3: Improve income generating capacity of women through AGP activities

SO 3 AGP indicator AGP M&E system

Specific Objective

SO 4: Increase awareness of community members (e.g. farmers, women, adolescents community leaders) about nutrition.

SO 4 Index of nutrition knowledge of farmers, women and adolescents

KAP survey of a sample of AGP woredas to be undertaken with the Consumption survey mentioned above

Specific Objective

SO 5: Build capacity of staff in MoA at all levels (Federal, Regional, Woreda, Kebele)

SO 5.1 Numbers of people trained (output indicator)SO 5.2 Satisfaction of trainees with training

Post training monitoring surveys AGP M&E system

40 AGP currently collects data on productivity of Main Crops (tons/ per hectare) include: sesame, wheat, maize, teffe, haricot beans, barley, tomato, peppers/chili peppers, potatoes, chick peas, field peas, fava beans, lentilles, mungbeans and flax. Main livestock products include: milk (liter of milk/cow/day), eggs (number of eggs/hen/year), meat (live weight/ sheep, goat, cattle/at slaughter age (2 years old for sheep and goat; 6 months old for poultry and 3 years old for cattle) and honey (kg/hives/year). Live weight can be calculated based on the circumference of the chest of the animal. To fur -ther capture the impact of the project on women, an analysis of this indicator will look at the percentage average increase in agricultural yield for poultry, dairy (sheep and goats) and backyard veget -ables, as they are considered women activities.

about nutrition mainstreaming.

Specific Objective

SO 6 : Support the research and dissemination of technologies on post harvest handling processing and consumption for improved nutrition.

SO 6.1 Number of new technologies demonstrated at FTCs

AGP M&E system

Specific Objective

SO 7: Support coordination across sectors to achieve synergies between nutrition-specific and nutrition sensitive interventions.

SO 7.1 Representation of AGP Coordinators in cross sectoral committees that have been formed to address nutrition objectives

Number of Nutrition Coordination meetings attended by AGP coordinatorsNumber of joint trainings on Nutrition attended by Agriculture and Health Extension staff.

Table 3: Detailed Activities arranged by AGP component with Institutional Arrangements and links to the NNP and Mainstreaming objectives:AGP component Activity Implementer Link to

relevant section in

NNP

Link to Mainstreaming

Nutrition Objectives for AGP2 Table 2

Component 1 Increasing agricultural production and productivityFederal and

Regional levelDevelopment of strategy, guidelines and manual for nutrition mainstreaming. These can be rolled out to other levels and adapted to the Regions by the ‘New Nutrition’ role.

FCU Nutritionist‘New nutrition role’ in Ag

Extension

- SO 5

Research on barriers to behaviours – what are reasons behind diet diversity practices. Development of locally adapted BCC materials Topics to include food processing, cooking demonstrations, preparation, hygiene and sanitation during food preparation, nutrition value of foods. Adapted to local culture, language, crops produced in each Region.

‘New nutrition role’ in Ag Extension with links to

EPHI for research. AGP partners

3.4.2 SO 4

Revision of crop ‘packages’ for each crop to include post harvest handling techniques to preserve essential nutrients through the value chain and agroecological management practices.

AGP management with EIAR partners

- SO 2

Capacity building in nutrition mainstreaming for New Nutrition roles in Agriculture Extension at Regional and Woreda levels including on BCC techniques and material development.

AGP partners 4.1.6 SO 5

At woreda level Introduce a fruit nursery for each woreda, emphasizing highland fruits. Woreda Ag. office 4.1.1 SO 1Build links to latest research findings through research/ Agriculture extension platforms

Woreda Ag. Office and EIAR

SO 6

Capacity building for SMSs on post harvest technology, production of nutrient dense crops, food preparation, nutritional value of foods and nutrition practices, IYCF. Twice annual trainings and refreshers for SMSs to be rolled out to DAs

AGP partners 4.1.6 SO 5

Kebele and FTC level

Strengthen FTC to include organic (agro-ecological) farming practices, diverse production, vegetable seed multiplication, use of local land races

SMS and DAs 4.1.1, 4.1.7 SO 1

and local cereal crops, intercropping to maintain soil fertility, local soil fertility management etc.Support FTCs to introduce and train community on post harvest technology including provision of appropriate technologies for demonstration purposes.

SMS and DAs and EIAR 4.1.1, 4.1.7, 4.1.4

SO 2

Provide facilities for cooking demonstrations and build capacity for cooking demonstrations at FTCs

SMS and DAs with links to HEW

SO 4

Support coordination of work between MoA and MoH by building links between DAs, WDA and HEW

SMS and DAs with links to HEW

4.1.7 SO 5 SO 7

‘Best Practice’ farmers to include criterion for farmers who establish diverse cropping systems including nutrient dense foods and agro-ecological sustainable practices and in-situ preservation of land race varieties of crops with high local biodiversity.

SMS and DAs 4.1.8 SO 1

Introduce a new role in the structure at kebele level for a Development Agent to specialize in post harvest handling, storage, processing and food preparation techniques

This would require a change in the structure. It

is a general recommendation for MoA

SO 5

Strengthen capacity of DAs to advise farmers on the post harvest technology, production of nutrient dense crops, food preparation, nutritional value of foods and nutrition practices, IYCF

Training provided by AGP Partners and

cascade to DA from Woreda SMS

4.16 SO 5

Introduce post harvest technology and methods and cooking demonstrations for women and men’s groups at FTCs

DAs in collaboration with HEWs

4.1.6, 4.1.7 SO 2

Local production of complementary foods for local use using nutrient dense foods and local recipes developed through HEW and DAs

SMS and DAs and HEW and AMDe

4.1.8 SO 3, Overall Objective

Behaviour Change Communication

Nutrition promotion activities to CBOs, CIGs, FTC, WDA using locally adapted BCC materials and existing structures. Nutrition promotion activities to be extended beyond PLW and the first 1000 days.

AGP partners with links to HEWs

5.1.1 SO 4

Component 2 Support agricultural research system, for enhanced technology adaptation and transfer

Appropriate technology

Appropriate post harvest technology dissemination through FTCs and testing linked to Farmer Research Groups

EIAR and SMS and DAs 4.1.4 SO 6

Food Science Nutrients through the value chain – particularly for biofortified foods. A sample of foods from households and traders to be analysed for Nutrient content (Fe, Zn, vit A) in raw, processed, prepared, and as consumed samples

Food Science Laboratories and EPHI

- SO 6

Food Science Aflatoxin Research – use of testing kits and assessment of scale of problem from home produced foods for local consumption as well as for sale. Samples for testing from local markets.

Food Science Laboratories

- SO 6

Research links strengthened between Extension and Agriculture Research to improve innovation and introduction of the most appropriate technologies. This to be achieved through the research platforms to

Federal to Region, Region to Extension,

Region to local

- SO 6

strengthen demand and supply links for technology. Strengthen the links between Regional AGP and Regional EIAR

Universities

Agriculture Research

Agronomic research on widely consumed grains e.g. sorghum millet to improve productivity and nutrient quality.

EIAR - SO 6

Value Chain Assessment

A special analysis to assess the impact of the Value Chain activities on Food and Nutrition Security. This would cover the interventions carried out by AMD and LMD in addition to relevant activities within MoA supported by AGP.

LMD and AMD SO 6

Agriculture Research

Nutritional quality of grains improved through breeding – local and HYV and biofortified. This research to be linked to research on the value chain nutrient losses to ensure that any gains from breeding are maintained from field to fork.

EIAR 4.1.9 SO 6

Behavioural research

Action Research on women’s time and labour costs associated with technology and appropriate technologies introduced through FTCs.

University or EPHI - SO 6

Nutrition causal analysis

The specific causes of under-nutrition need to be assessed at local woreda or livelihood zone level if possible. This could be one of the early tasks for the new Nutrition role at the woreda. Guidance for this analysis is available from NGOs (e.g. ACF)

New Nutrition role with support from NGOs and

consultancies

SO 6

Component 3 Small-scale irrigation development and managementWoreda/Kebele Promote irrigation infrastructure for production of diversified foods

Promote efficient technologies for water use.SMS/Development

Agents4.3.2 SO 1

Consider women’s participation in water users association and equal access to water for women and men farmers

SMS/Development Agents

- SO 1

Component 4 Agricultural marketing and agricultural business developmentFederal and

RegionalConsider nutrient dense and widely consumed foods for each operational area when selecting crops to be included for Value Chain commodities.

AGP management - SO 1

Support women and youth to contribute fully in value chain activities through each stage in the value chain

AGP management - SO 3

Woreda/ Kebele Encourage local processing with minimal nutrient loss (e.g. whole wheat bread) and to improve bioavailability. Discourage ultra processed foods e.g. baked refined goods

SMS/ DA / AMD / Cooperatives

- SO 2

Introduce Aflatoxin testing along the value chain plus mitigation including appropriate storage facilities to prevent moulds.

Link to Research - SO 2

Markets Storage and market protection for perishables foods such as fruit vegetable, dairy, fish and meat

Woreda Agriculture/ Cooperatives

4.4.1 SO 2

Development of local markets for local food needs in addition to markets for export and urban markets

Woreda Agriculture/ Cooperatives

- SO 2

CIGs Strengthen support to women led CIGs in producing nutrition dense foods such as animal foods, horticulture products, fish, seed multiplication

SMS and DAs and AMD with Cooperatives

4.1.8 SO 1, SO 3

Support Increased production of complementary food by women led CIGs using nutrient dense foods

SMS and DAs and AMD with Cooperatives

4.1.8 SO 3, Overall Objective

Strengthen support to women led CIGS producing post harvest processed products, (dairy group, small ruminants, Fishery, seed multiplication, processing milk, cereal processing, legume processing, solar dried horticulture products)

SMS and DAs and made with Cooperatives

4.1.8, 4.1.4 SO 2, SO 3

Cooperatives and Private Sector

partners

Capacity building for nutrition mainstreaming of value chains: workshops and training on ‘Value Chain for Nutrition’ approaches including approaches to reduce nutrition loss during processing

AGP Partners in collaboration with

Woreda Agriculture Office

SO2

Component 5 Program management and monitoring and evaluationManagement Appointment of a New Nutrition role in FCU for mainstreaming Nutrition AGP management - SO 4

AGP Coordinators at all levels to join structures within the MoA that will facilitate coordination of AGP with NNP.

AGP management and Focal point for NNP at all

levels

5.5 SO 5

Development of strategy, guidelines and manual for nutrition mainstreaming. These can be rolled out to other levels and adapted to the Regions by the ‘New Nutrition’ role

FCU Nutritionist‘New nutrition role’ in Ag

Extension

- SO 5 SO 7

Ensure Capacity Building for Nutrition at all levels through structured training cascaded through the woreda office to the DAs with in-service follow-up support to ensure the application of new knowledge.

AGP management and AGP partners

4.1.6, 4.1.7 SO 5

M&E Include mainstreamed nutrition indicators by introducing special consumption surveys

EPHI - M & E

Cross cutting issues mainstreamed into

the whole document

Gender, nutrition youth development, climate smart agriculture mainstreaming, capacity development

All components, all implementers

Overall Objective

Safeguards Safeguard management Introduce Environmental Impact Assessments for crop ‘packages’ that include seed, fertilisers and plant protection

AGP Management / Safeguards team

- SO 1

Develop a strategy to preserve biodiversity (agro-biodiversity and natural biodiversity) and preserve nutrient dense food sources

AGP Management / Safeguards team

SO 1

Table 4: Description of Institutional arrangements for AGP mainstreamingNote: this is a preliminary assessment; a detailed capacity assessment is to identify all the roles in the structure for implementation

Institute Positions implied in Nutrition Mainstreaming

Expected role Capacity building and Training needs

Agriculture Growth Programme

Nutrition role in Federal Coordination Unit

Technical support and coordination of nutrition mainstreaming activities. Production of Nutrition Mainstreaming manualSupport for ‘New Nutrition Roles’

Recruitment of nutritionist with experience of nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture and established skills. Training needs will depend on recruitment.

Agriculture Growth Programme

Federal and Regional Coordinators

Manage nutrition mainstreaming in AGP Nutrition technical training and nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture training for AGP management roles

Ministry of Agriculture Federal level Agriculture Extension Department Management

Support nutrition mainstreaming in AGP. Communication with Health Extension on training needs

Nutrition technical training and nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture training for MiA management roles

Ministry of Agriculture Federal level NNP coordinator within MoA

Coordination with all departments within MoA to plan and implement NNP. To include AGP in the coordination meetings

Nutrition technical training and nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture training

Ministry of Health Federal level NNP coordinator

Coordination with Agriculture NNP coordinator Technical capacity adequate - no training needs

Ministry of Health Federal level Health Extension Department

Coordination between Agriculture and Health for training and capacity building

Training on basic understanding of nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture for Agriculture and Health sectors

Regional Bureau of Agriculture

Regional level Agriculture Extension ‘New Nutrition role’41

Provide technical support for nutrition mainstreaming in AGP. Communication with Health Extension on training needs

Some senior positions are already well trained and experienced: Nutrition technical training and nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture training as necessary considering the different levels of technical capacity.

Regional Bureau of Health

Regional NNP coordinator

Coordinate activities for Nutrition mainstreaming with Bureau of Agriculture and Bureau of Health and other relevant bureaus

Training on basic understanding of nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture

Woreda Agriculture Office

Woreda level ‘New Nutrition role’

Provide technical support for nutrition mainstreaming in AGP. Communication with Health Extension on training needs

Some senior positions are already well trained and experienced: Nutrition technical training and nutrition mainstreaming in agriculture training as necessary considering the different levels of technical capacity.

Woreda Agriculture Office

Woreda Subject Matter Specialists

Implement nutrition mainstreaming tasks Nutrition training, including IYCF, post harvest technology, food preparation, nutritional value of foods, cooking demonstrations

Woreda Health Office Health Extension Department

Implement nutrition mainstreaming tasks Nutrition training, including IYCF, post harvest technology, food preparation, nutritional value of foods

Kebele Administration Development Agents Implement nutrition mainstreaming tasks Nutrition training, including IYCF, post harvest technology, food preparation, nutritional value of foods, cooking demonstrations

Kebele Administration Health Extension Workers

Work with DAs on implementation of capacity building activities for Communities

Nutrition training, including post harvest technology, food preparation, nutritional value of foods

Communities Women, men, CBOs, FTC, WDA

Improve nutrition of the community Cascade training on nutrition implemented by DAs and HEWs

Cooperatives and Private Sector partners

Cooperative members, Agri-businesses, traders and other AGP partners

Consideration of Value Chains for Nutrition AGP facilitates training for its private sector partners on Nutrition mainstreaming

Ethiopia Public Health Institute

Research groups Carry out research projects -

Ethiopia Institute for Agriculture Research

Research groups Carry out research projects -

AGP partners To be decided Technical support for capacity building, training, research

-

41 See section 3.1.4 for description of the New Nutrition roles in each Region

4.1.6. Budgets for selected activitiesApproximate budgets were prepared for selected activities that could be calculated separately from the main AGP 2 activities. The budget estimation has been conducted in consultation with NGOs (Concern and MI), EIAR and EPHI depending on their expertise and experiences. There is no implication that the Consultants prioritise these activities in any way. They are for illustrative purpose. Detailed budgets are described and explained in Annex 6.

Table 5: Summary Budgets for Selected Proposed Activities:

S.N Items Budget (in Euro)1 Capacity Building 25,748,697.502 Behaviour Change Communications 8,009,459.003 Research 4,100,000.004 Monitoring and Evaluation 1,168,206.005 Coordination 1,059,750.00

Total 40,086,112.50

4.1.7. Targeting for nutrition in AGPThe issues related to Targeting are discussed in section 2.For Nutrition Mainstreaming, the Consultants have indicated the groups to be targeted for the separate activities. Whereas nutrition specific activities are usually targeted to pregnant and lactating women and children under 2, commonly referred to the ‘1000 days’ to prevent stunting, for mainstreaming nutrition into agriculture projects, this targeting does not always apply. Consideration is given to broader food security considerations at the production, processing, and marketing as well as consumption aspects of the food systems where a much broader nutrition approach is warranted.In addition the nutritional status of farmers (both women and men) is considered an input as well as an outcome of agricultural production; in other words, well fed farmers are needed to increase productivity. The Consultants have therefore suggested targeting BCC activities to wide groups in the community to ensure wide understanding of nutrition for benefit of the whole population as malnutrition is a problem of all groups of the society including men, youth and adolescents. For AGP2 women to be targeted for income generation activities through the CIG initiatives only if women’s workload is not increased such that child care is adversely affected.For BCC activities (see below) targeting men as well as women and adolescent girls is necessary to ensure their understanding is improved and they direct resources towards nutrient dense foods.

4.1.8. Work plan for Mainstreaming Nutrition in the AGP 2The suggestions outlined in this assessment are a starting point for mainstreaming. Some of the activities can be carried out by the AGP implementation as described in Table 3 where the institutional arrangements are described. Where AGP partners are recommended for the implementation, partners will have to be identified. The Consultants suggest that this process starts with a meeting to discuss priorities and implementation modalities and plans with AGP Federal Coordination Unit, Technical Committee and The Nutrition Task Force. The appraisal meetings for AGP 2 will clarify their priorities for Nutrition in AGP 2 and this information will feed into the meeting.Following agreements on a strategy to mainstream nutrition, the first important task will be to recruit a Senior Nutritionist to work with the Federal Coordination Unit of the AGP. This role will be very important to start the process and draw up detailed plans for mainstreaming and to work with AGP Nutrition Partners. At this stage it may be necessary to produce ‘Calls for Proposals’ for AGP Partners (for example international and local NGOs, Universities and other Research Establishments) to tender for particular packages of work. Another early task for the Nutritionist is the production of a strategy, guidelines and manual for nutrition mainstreaming in AGP. This will be a consultative process involving the ‘New Nutrition Role’ in the Agriculture Extension System at Regional levels and AGP management and AGP Partners. Once a Mainstreaming Strategy is in place, it will be necessary to design a Capacity Building Strategy for nutrition mainstreaming and further detailed workplans with AGP management and partners. The Monitoring and Evaluation component will be designed in detail to incorporate Nutrition mainstreaming requirements, alongside requirements for other cross-cutting issues. Following this it will be possible to design and commission a baseline survey for AGP2 to include recommended indicators for Nutrition.

Following this preparation, AGP activities for mainstreaming nutrition can begin in earnest as an integral part of the implementation of AGP 2. AGP partner activities will be planned in detail according to their own implementation modalities.

4.2. ConclusionsThe study has achieved its objective to assist the AGP TC and AGP CU with preparation for AGP 2 to bring nutrition mainstreaming in the design. This was achieved through theoretical design using the latest global guidance on nutrition and agriculture mainstreaming, local consultations in Ethiopia and analysis of the Ethiopian policy context and nutrition situation. The recommended activities are achievable within the AGP structure and nutrition objectives have been incorporated across the proposed components for AGP. The next steps are for the stakeholders to decide on priorities and implementation modalities for these activities. The serious nature of malnutrition in Ethiopia calls for urgent action. Mainstreaming nutrition should be prioritised in AGP 2.

5. Annexes

5.1. Annex 1 AGP 2: Description of components and sub-components Component 1: Increasing Agricultural production & productivitySub component 1.1: Institutional Strengthening and Development Activities 1.1.1. Establishing and strengthening ADPLACs 1.1.2. Strengthening key public advisory services

1.1.2.1. Support to agricultural extension service 1.1.2.2. Support to livestock production & Animal Health services 1.1.2.3. Support to crop production & plant health services1.1.2.4. Support to natural resource management service 1.1.2.5. Support to soil fertility management services 1.1.2.6. Support the promotion and demonstration of agricultural mechanization technologies for

small holder Farmers Sub component 1.2. Support the Scaling up of best practices1.2.1. Support on identification and compilation of best practices1.2.2. Support the implementation of best practices

Component 2: Support Agricultural Research system for Enhanced Technology Adaptation and Transfer

Sub component 2.1: support to technology introduction and adaptation/validation 2.1.1. Support crop technologies 2.1.2. Livestock and forage technologies 2.1.3. Land resource and water technologies 2.1.4. Farm mechanization technologies (pre- and post –harvest) for small-scale farmers2.1.5. Food science technologies (nutrition, storage) Sub component 2.2: Support to technology transfer2.2.1. Support (commodity specific and integrated) technology pre-extension demonstration and

popularization2.2.2. Support technology pre-scaling up 2.2.3. Support establishment and strengthening of FRG/FREGSub component 2.3: Support technology adoption, business incubation and impact analysis 2.3.1. Support assessment of technology adoption and associated factors2.3.2. Support assessment of technology impact and associated factors2.3.3. Support available technology based business incubations2.3.4. Support facilitation of selected technology based value chains empowerment Sub component 2.4: Support technology maintenance and multiplication 2.4.1. Crop technologies 2.4.2. Livestock and forage technologies2.4.3. Land resource and water technologies2.4.4. Farm mechanization technologies (pre- and post –harvest)Sub component 2.5: Capacity building to support technology introduction, adaptation/validation, maintenance, and transfer 2.5.1. Capacity building to ensure off-season technology multiplication (e.g. Irrigation)2.5.2. Capacity to ensure mobility for effective technology transfer in AGP target areas2.5.3. Need based human capacity building to ensure effectiveness and sustainability

Component 3:- Small-Scale Irrigation Development and ManagementSub component 3.1. Small Scale Irrigation Infrastructures Development 3.1.1. Rehabilitation, Upgrading and/or Improvement of Existing SSI Systems3.1.2. Household Irrigation Development Systems3.1.3. Establishment of New Small-Scale Irrigation Systems integrated with access road where necessarySub component 3.2. Irrigated Agricultural Support and Water Management Services 3.2.1. Establishing and/or Strengthening Irrigation Water Users Organizations 3.2.2. Irrigated Agricultural Support to agronomic practice

Component 4: Agricultural Marketing and Agric. - business DevelopmentSub component 4.1.Strengthening Input Supply and management Systems

4.1.1. Support to input supply system4.1.2. Strengthen input regulation and certification Sub component 4.2. Strengthening of formal and informal farmers organization 4.2.1. Strengthening of formal farmers organizations (Unions, Primary cooperatives 4.2.2. Establishing and strengthening of informal farmers group (CIGs) 4.2.3. Strengthening of agencies supporting farmers organizations 4.2.4. Improving access to financial services Sub component 4.3. Support to agri business development4.3.1. Support to the coordination of V.C actors 4.3.2. Technical support to strengthen and multiply competitive Agribusiness actors 4.3.3. Support quality, traceability and certification of Agric. crops and LS. 4.3.4. Support enabling environment 4.3.5. Improve access to finance 4.3.6. Support collective branding and marketing Sub component 4.4. Support to market infrastructure development and management 4.4.1. Construction and modernized management of market centres 4.4.2. Support the construction of warehouses, storage and grading, packaging facilities 4.4.3. Foot Bridge Development 4.4.4. MIS

Component 5: Program Management and Monitoring and EvaluationSub component 5.1: Program management and institutional arrangements 5.1.1. Program Administrations and coordination 5.1.2. Financial Management and procurement Sub component 5.2: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning 5.2.1. Evaluation of outcome and impact 5.2.2. Monitoring of Inputs and Outputs5.2.3. Participatory M&E and social Accountability 5.2.4. Internal learning, Knowledge sharing and communicationSub component 5.3. Crosscutting issues 5.3.1. Gender Mainstreaming5.3.2. Nutrition mainstreaming 5.3.3. Youth development Mainstreaming5.3.4. Climate smart agriculture Mainstreaming5.3.5. Capacity Development 5.3.6. Social and environmental Safeguard Management

5.2. Annex 2: Administration of the AssessmentThe EUD, World Bank and MoA AGP including NTF, USAID and NGO Partners are the key coordination bodies for the assignment. They have been or will be involved in the following ways: Briefing with EUD Rural Development and Food Security Section Initial meetings and schedule in Addis supported by EUD Consultation on Methods and Technical aspects by the Nutrition Task Force for AGP World Bank verification of activities and timescale to coincide with the development of AGP 2 Coordination of Regional and Woreda visits by AGP Coordinators AGP NGO Partners support field visits. Kebele level visits coordinated by Region and Woreda AGP focal persons and NGOs Administrative planning for vehicle, translations, flights, hotels, financial planning, security

undertaken by the Consultants

5.3. Annex 3 Work plans of the AssessmentFirst Phase visitAddis Ababa 8 September to 19 September 2014 Situation analysis of nutrition in the AGP woredas Review and map out current nutrition interventions in AGP woredas Review AGP, NNP action plan Develop a list of questions / discussion points for all stakeholders Interview relevant MoA MoH donors and NGOs, Ag research organisations to determine

o What activities been implemented that could be nutrition sensitiveo What are challenges and opportunities to link AGP and NNP strategies

Regional Woreda and Kebele levels 21 September to 11 October 2014 Decide on Woreda visit locations and logistics with MoA (AGP) and EUD Discussion with focal persons for AGP and NNP and Extension Services at Regional level People to meet at woreda level

o Woreda administration, office for agriculture and livestock, office for healtho AGP NGO Partners involved e.g. ACDI/VOCA or ENGINE or others o Community discussion at kebele level (women’s and men’s groups). o Identify current implementation of agriculture and nutrition activities

Identify gaps/ improvements in implementation of AGP and allied programmes and reasons and entry points for AGP nutrition Identify where nutrition sensitive actions are being implemented, guidelines and tools relevant.

Coordination of activities at community, Kebele, Woreda, Region National levels. Identify challenges for nutrition improvement

Addis Ababa 13 October to 17 October 2014 Analysis and Report writing: Aide Memoire Presentations of preliminary findings at Nutrition Task Force and AGP FCU/ TC meetings

Second Phase visitAddis Ababa 03 November to 7 November 2014 Briefings with EUD on second phase requirements related to the ToR Further analysis and preparations for consultations and follow-up meetings

Adama 10 November to 14 November 2014 Discussion of Mainstreaming ideas with AGP Formulation committee; including meetings with

Regional AGP Coordinators and Focal leads from the 5 new Components of AGP 2

Addis Ababa 17 November to 18 November 2014 Follow up meetings with Stakeholders Fine tune options for nutrition-sensitive activities

Field visits 18 November to 22 November 2014 Agriculture Research Station visits: Melkassa, Adama University visit: Awassa University Halaba special woreda (PSNP)

Addis Ababa 24 November to 28 November 2014 Plan M& E by identifying objectives, nutritional indicators relevant to activities Design interventions, institutional arrangements, workplans and budgets for nutrition-sensitive

activities Report writing

5.4. Annex 4 Detailed Schedule of the assessment visitsFirst Phase visit Date Location Meeting Topic of discussion8/9/14 Addis Ababa EUD: Briefing of

Consultants at EUD with Aude Guignard and David Mogollon and Alemaheyu Semunigus

Initial briefing with discussion about key stakeholders, programmes, coordination for AGP and review of schedule for the consultancy

8/9/14 Addis Ababa ACDI/VOCAVanessa Adams and Firew Bekele

Discussion on AMD project – Value chains project linked to AGP

9/9/14 Addis Ababa World Bank:A. Guignard, D. Hagos plus Andrew Goodland,Teklu Tesfaye,Abhinav Gupta,

Initial discussion of how WB appraisal meetings at Regional level could include some nutrition focus. Schedule planning for debriefings in Addis after field trips

Tesfahiwot Dillnessa9/9/14 Addis Ababa Nutrition Task Force to

present methods of the study

Follow-up on AGP 2 plans and presentation on methods of assessment. Discussion about M&E; How coordination of Nutrition works in Ethiopia. Who to visit in the field. Include Cooperatives, acknowledge the nutrition work done so far.

10/9/14 Addis Ababa LMD Solomon Chane Discussion of LMD projects including the pilot nutrition components

10/9/14 Addis Ababa CASCAPE Dr Eyasu Elias and Buruktayet Assefa

Discussion on research activities of CASCAPE linked to AGP

12/9/14 Addis Ababa USAID with Mary Harvey

Discussion about Feed the Future programmes: LMD, ENGINE, AMD

12/9/14 Addis Ababa Save the Children with Dr Habtamu

Discussion on ENGINE programme

12/9/14 Addis Ababa MoA with Ibrahim Mohamed and Alemtsehay Sergawi (Extension Directorate)

Discussion on AGP programme and plans for the Region, Woreda and Kebele visits as part of the assessment.

15/9/14 Addis Ababa MoFED with Sahile Tilahun and Belachew Beyene

Briefing visit on the objectives and plans for the assessment

16/9/14 Addis Ababa World Bank with Anne Bossuyt

Discussion on the Nutrition Mainstreaming within PSNP

16/9/14 Addis Ababa SUN and World Bank consultants Stephen Anderson and Stephen Lister

Discussion on SUN initiative and planning for AGP Mainstreaming pre assessment mission

17/9/14 Addis Ababa SG 2000 with Habtu Assefa and Senayit Yetneberk and Abraham Tadesa

Discussed SG 2000 programmes particularly Quality Protein Maize

17/9/14 Addis Ababa MoH NNP focal person Dr Ferew Lemma Feyissa

Discussion about NNP and links with AGP

18/9/14 Addis Ababa AGP Technical Committee at Canadian DFATD office

Planning meeting on AGP formulation with a presentation by Team leader on the Mainstreaming task followed by discussion.

18/9/14 Addis Ababa Micronutrient Initiative Henock Gezahen and Azeb Lelisa

Discussion on Micronutrient Initiative Programmes and the AGP

18/9/14 Addis Ababa CASCAPE. Dr Eyasu Elias

Further discussions on Research priorities for AGP

18/9/14 Addis Ababa EUD David Mogollon and Alemaheyu Semunigus

Planning discussion for Field trips

19/9/14 Addis Ababa DFATD Dr Girma Discussion on Nutrition priorities for DFATD

19/9/14 Addis Ababa FAO Hassan Ali and Workicho Jatene

Discussion on FAO programmes and AGP nutrition sensitive planning

21/09/2014

Mekelle Travel to Mekelle

22/9/14 Mekelle AGP/BoA: Abadi, Ketsela, Hailu

Discussion on the AGP activities in Tigrai region and nutrition sensitive agriculture

22/9/14 Mekelle ENGINE: Mehari Tamerat

Discussion on ENGINE program nutrition activities in Tigrai and the coordination in the AGP woredas

22/9/14 Mekelle ACDI/VOCA: Gebru Desta

Discussion on AGP-AMDe supports in the AGP woredas of Tigrai

23/9/14 Ofla woreda AGP/WoA: Sileshi Tilahun, Lemelem Gessese, Teame Hadesh, Hagazi G/medhin,Yirga Ebuye

Discussion on AGP activities of the woreda and nutrition interventions supported by ENGINE.

24/9/14 Hashengie and Mekeir Kebeles (Ofla woreda)

Development Agents, Health extension worker, irrigation farming group, Fishery group, women group (supported by ENGINE)

Discussion on the overall program supports of AGP by the FTCs and development agents. The nutrition activities of the health extension system and nutrition related supports by ENGINE. Field visit of the FTC demonstration sites.

25/9/14 Travel to Bahir Dar26/9/14 Bahir Dar AGP: Habtamu Discussion on the AGP activities of

Amhara region and nutrition sensitive agricultural program.

26/9/14 Bahir Dar BoH: Simieneh Worku Discussion on the NNP coordination system, nutrition activities of the BoH and partners in the AGP woredas.

26/9/14 Bahir Dar ACDI/VOCA: Teferi Wondale

Discussion on the AGP-AMDe supports to the AGP woredas.

28/9/14 Bahir Dar/Guangua

Data analysis

29/9/14 Guangua woreda

AGP/WoA/WoH:Tesera Nega, Shambel wonde, Belew yilma, G/Hiwot Admas, Kefale Teferi, Amsaya Zeleke

Discussion on the AGP interventions in the woreda, nutrition activities of the WoH, and NNP coordination.

30/9/14 Segadi Kebele (Guangua)

Development agents, diary production group, farmers group, women group

Discussion on the overall program supports of AGP through the FTCs and technical supports of development agents, and other partners. Field visit of the FTC demonstration site. Communities understanding about nutrition were also discussed.

01/10/14 Amhara / Addis

Travel back to AddisData administration and budgeting

02/10/14 Hawasa AGP/BoA: Simachew Chekol, Frehiwot Tefera, Mulugeta Tesfaye

Travel to Hawasa.Discussion on the AGP intervention, agricultural extension, nutrition related activities of BoA and nutrition sensitive agriculture.

03/10/14 WondoGenet woreda

AGP/WoA/WoH: Kassahun, Adege Alemu,Abdi Aman, Eyoub Shano

Discussed about the agricultural activities support by AGP and the nutrition intervention implemented by the WoH and the NNP coordination.

03/10/14 Hawasa ENGINE: Elias Kayessa

Discussed about the ENGINE activities in the AGP woredas and the regional nutrition coordination.

03/10/14 Hawasa BoH: Getnet Kassa Discussed about the progress on NNP rollout and coordination, and the nutrition activities in the health extension system.

04/10/14 Kela Kebele Development agents, dairy production group, women group

Discussed about the overall agricultural extension services supported by AGP. The role of development agents, FTCs and the supports to CIGs. The nutrition related

activities in the Kebele.05/10/14 SNPPR/Addis Travel from SNPPR to Addis;07/10/14 Addis Ababa Data review and analysis08/10/14 Oromiya

Region (Addis Ababa)

AGP/BoA: Terefu, Abebe, Desta

Discussed about the AGP activities, nutrition sensitivity and nutrition related activities implemented by BoA.

09/10/14 Yaya Gulele AGP/WoA: Mesfin Girma, Abraham Tekle, Fikerete Kebede, Mesfin

Discussed about the AGP activities in the woreda that included the agricultural extension, FTCs, CIGs and nutrition related activities of the NGOs.

10/10/14 Yaya Gulele WoH: Zerihun Discussed about the NNP rollout and coordination, nutrition activities implemented by WoH and NGOs.

10/10/14 Lami Kebele (Yaya Gulele)

Development agents, women irrigation farming group, farmers group

Discussed about the supports from AGP through the FTCs and the extension services, the nutrition interventions in the area and the misconceptions about maternal and child feeding.

Second Phase visitDate Location Meeting Topic of discussion

3/11/14 Addis Ababa D. Hagos and A.B.Mayer

Planning meetings for Phase 2

4/11/14 Addis Ababa EU consultants Carmel Dolan and Rebecca

Nutrition plans in Ethiopia NQSUN and general discussions on M&E

4/11/14 Addis Ababa EUD Alemaheyu Semunigus, Eshetu Mulatu and David Mogollon

Plan for Phase 2 of AGP mission of consultants

5/11/14 Addis Ababa Consultants Respond to EUD comments on Aide Memoire and Plan; Edit Aide Memoire incorporating feedback from Phase 1

6/11/14 Addis Ababa Consultants Analysis of Findings, Development of Activities. Preparation of presentation for Nazret

7/11/14 Addis Ababa UNICEF Arnold Timmer, Salamamis Negash Hajia Hafee

Discussion of Coordination of NNP and MoA and roll out of NNP

7/11/14 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Institute for Agriculture Research. Dr Fantahun,

Discussion of Research at EIAR on topics relevant to nutrition mainstreaming

10/11/14 Adama AGP formulation meeting

Analysis of findings and initial meetings

11/11/14 Adama AGP formulation meeting

Component 2: Research Component 1: Production

12/11/14 Adama AGP formulation meeting

Component 4: Value chainsComponent 5: Management and M &EComponent 3: Irrigation

13/11/14 Adama AGP formulation meeting

AGP presentations and discussions with AGP TC

14/11/14 Adama AGP formulation meeting

Further clarification with AGP teamField trip planning

15/11/14 Adama Consultants Further planning and analysis; return to Addis

17/11/14 Addis Ababa EPHI, Girmay Ayana Analysis and planningDiscussion on research at EPHI

18/11/14 Addis Ababa EUD David Mogollon and Alemayehu Semigunus

Assignment discussions

18/11/14 Addis Ababa DRMFS Ato Tareken Aga (NNP focal person)

Discussion on coordination of NNP and MoA

18/11/14 Addis Ababa NNP Regional Coord OROMIA, Taye Wondimu

Discussion on coordination of NNP and Health/ Agriculture in Oromia RegionTravel to Adama

19/11/14 Adama EIAR Melkassa Bisrat Getned

Visit to discuss and observe post harvest technologies

19/11/14 Adama EIAR Demirew Abera Tour and discussion of Food Science facilities and researchDrive to Halaba Special Woreda

20/11/14 Halaba, SNNPR

Halaba Woreda Health Office Ato Haji Nuriye Untale

Discussion on coordination and activities for linking agriculture and health for nutrition

20/11/14 Halaba SNNPR

Kebele visit with Nutrition focal person and HEW Sealmwit

Visit to Health Post and FTC to discuss work on nutrition and coordination between DA and HEWDrive to Awassa

21/11/14 Awassa, SNNPR

Awassa University Dr Sheleme Beyene, Abadi Gebre, Afork Keberu

Discussion on trans-disciplinary research on chick pea – from soil, plant, food science to nutrition

21/11/14 Awassa, SNNPR

Awassa University Food Science and Nutrition Dept Tamirat Getachew

Tour of facilities and discussion about the work of the department and research undertaken.

22/11/14 Awassa, SNNPR

Consultants Analysis and discussion of field tripDrive to Addis Ababa

24/11/14 Addis Ababa Consultants Analysis and Preparation of presentation

25/11/14 Addis Ababa Consultants Preparation of presentation26/11/14 Addis Ababa Workshop with 26

participantsDebriefing workshop with presentation by consultants followed by discussion chaired by EUDFinal administration

27/11/14 Addis Ababa Consultants Report writing28/11/14 Addis Ababa Consultants Report writing and final debrief

5.5. Annex 5 Question guide for Mainstreaming Nutrition into AGPOutline question guide, to be adapted to the different stakeholders and programmes:

INTRODUCTORY1. What do you think nutrition sensitive agriculture means

PROJECTS2. What are your nutrition sensitive activities3. How do you focus your program activities for nutrition impact4. What progress have you made in nutrition actions related to NNP

COORDINATION & GOVERNANCE5. Which sector do you work in mainly and how do you coordinate with other sectors – 6. What coordination mechanisms/ systems are in place among different actors / components

and the AGP7. What is your opinion of the overall governance and coordination of nutrition interventions?

NUTRITION OBJECTIVES8. What are the nutrition objectives in your programme 9. How do you Monitor dietary consumption and access to safe, diverse, and nutritious foods.

CONTEXT10. What specific nutrition problems does your programme aim to address? (diet, health, caring

practice, etc)11. Did you carry out any nutrition assessments to determine the causes of nutrition problems –

e.g. gender roles, agroecological resources available, production, seasonality

NATURAL RESOURCES12. How do you manage the natural resource base? Water Soil Air Climate Biodiversity 13. What type of agricultural practice does the programme support and how does it enhance or

diminish natural resources?

GENDER14. How do you consider gender in nutrition specific/ nutrition sensitive activities taking into

account the workload of women and time for children15. How does the programme help to empower women e.g. by building resources, access to

income, extension services credit 16. Do you work with any labour saving technologies – how is women’s time affected by the

program?17. What measures are there that protect and empower the poor and women.

DIVERSITY18. What is your approach to agricultural diversification to include nutrient dense foods? For

example, horticulture, fish, orchards, animal foods. What makes this easier/ more difficult19. What is your approach to seasonal and resilient food production20. What is opportunity to introduce biofortified crops

POST HARVEST21. Can you describe post harvest processes that are supported by the project,22. how would you improve/ retain nutritional value for communities by the value chain approach23. include food prices of diverse foods, and dietary consumption indicators for vulnerable groups.

MARKETS24. Can you describe program related to marketing of nutritious foods such as milk, vegetables,

animal foods, legumes etc and how vulnerable people can access these type of foods25. Support multi-sectoral strategies to improve nutrition within national, regional, and local

government structures.

TARGETING26. Who do you target in your programme that are considered vulnerable?

27. How do you define vulnerable groups in the program area? What criteria do you use? 28. For nutrition impact who would you aim to target?

CAPACITY29. How do you evaluate the current capacities of the AGP actors I implementing nutrition

sensitive/ specific activities?30. How do you Develop capacity in human resources and institutions to improve nutrition through

the food and agriculture

INNOVATIONS31. What innovations are you developing to link nutrition and agriculture?

5.6. Annex 6 Suggested budgets for selected activities

S.N Items Quantity

Unit cost

(Euro) Budget (Euro)1 Capacity Building

Salary and benefit of a nutritionist for five years (60 months) 60 4500 270,000.00Development and production of implementation manual for nutrition mainstreaming Lump sum 62,062.50Nutrition training at all levels (for Regional staff, woreda experts, and Development agents) Lump sum 2,818,187.00Training on BCC materials preparation for woreda SMS for 10 days 314 382 119,948.00Experience sharing visits (eight groups of 30 people) 8 15120 120,960.00Development Agents Training on Post harvest handling for 5 days 9420 129 1,215,180.00Equipments for post harvest handling and food processing for FTCs Lump sum 16,642,000.00Cooking Equipments for FTCs in 157 woredas Lump sum 4,000,360.00Equipments for Food science and nutrition laboratory of EIAR Lump sum 500,000.00Sub Total 25,748,697.50

2 Behavior Change Communications Barrier analysis (12 woreda based studies to address the Ethnic diversity) 12 20000 240,000.00Posters (development and production) 78500 0.43 33755Leaflets (development and production) 314000 0.2 62800Flip Chart (Big size) 31400 4.36 136904Cooking demonstrations (budget for complementary items that are not produced in the area) for 12 demonstrations/year per FTC 188400 40 7536000Sub Total 8,009,459.00

3 ResearchAdaptation and generation of Post harvets technologies Lumpsum 1,500,000.00Multiplication of post harvest technologies Lumpsum 600,000.00Aflatoxin research Lumpsum 500,000.00studies on nutritive value of selected crops in the value chain 3

500,000.00 1,500,000.00

Sub Total 4,100,000.004 Monitoring and Evaluation

Food consumption Survey (Baseline and End of program) 2

311,103.00 622,206.00

Food security studies on sample woredas (Baseline and End of program) 2

273,000.00 546,000.00

Sub Total 1,168,206.005 Coordination Lumpsum 1,059,750.00

Total 40,086,112.50

Explanation of the budget estimation: Budgets have been estimated, based on the consultations of the consultants with stakeholders and NGOs, for selected activities that could be calculated separately from the main AGP 2 activities.

The budget for BCC materials, development of implementation manual, barrier analysis surveys, equipments for cooking demonstrations, are estimated depending on the information and discussions with Micro-Nutrient initiatives (MI) and Concern Worldwide (Ethiopia office). These organizations have a very good experience in development of BCC materials, nutrition surveys and studies, imple-mentation of SBCC in food insecured woredas of Ethiopia. The costs of the items are estimated based on the current market prices and anticipated costs for the coming five years. The costs for Ag -ricultural research like post harvest handling and food processing are based on the information from Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) which is part of AGP II. The costs for consumption surveys and monitoring and evaluation components are estimated based on the information from Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) which has good experiences on national consumption sur -veys and Micronutrient studies. We put the budget as lumpsum because of the limited information on the sample size and coverage of the study at this stage. The budget for monitoring, evaluation and coordination is based on lessons learnt from similar project management in Ethiopia and East African Countries. The budget estimation for the salary of the nutritionist is based on the current salaries of qualified nutritionists in NGOs in East African countries.

5.7. Annex 7 Terms of Reference

1. BACKGROUND

Agricultural Growth Program (AGP) is designed as one of the development initiatives of Ethiopia, focusing on selected, relatively high-potential areas to address some of the key constraints to agricultural growth and thereby contribute to overall economic growth and the transformation efforts of the country. The Development Objective of the Program (AGP) is to increase agricultural productivity and market access for key crop and livestock products in targeted woredas with increased participation of women and youth.

Currently the program is implemented in 96 woredas structured into 20 clusters selected from four National Regional States. These are Oromiya (39 woredas), in Amhara (26 woredas), in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (22 woredas) and in Tigray (9 woredas). In its present phase, ending in September 2015, the AGP is intended to address about 2.2 million households from 2423Kebeles in the program area.

The AGP is a multi-donor financed program that involves a wide range of stakeholders in the overall implementation process. These includes among others; the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), the Spanish Agency for International Development (AECID), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Global Agricultural and Food Support Program (GAFSP), the Ethiopian Agricultural Agency (ATA), AGP-AMDe, AGP-LMD and the World Bank (IDA/WB).

In its current phase, AGP follows a comprehensive value-chain oriented, decentralized, participatory and integrated approach that focuses on key rural and agricultural development constraints, mainly through providing support for the following three major strategic components and seven sub components:

Component 1: Agricultural Production and Commercialization- Sub component 1.1- Institutional Strengthening and Development- Sub component 1.2 – Scaling up of Best Practices- Subcomponent 1.3 – Market and Agribusiness Development

Component 2: Small-scale Rural Infrastructure Development and Management- Sub component 2.1- Small-scale Agricultural Water Development and Management- Sub component 2.2- Small-scale Rural Market Infrastructure Development and

Management- Management

Component 3: Program Management, and Monitoring & Evaluation- Sub component 3.1 AGP management and coordination- Sub component 3.2 Monitoring and Evaluation

The project is expected to assist small and medium scale farmers to achieve better livelihoods and quality of life through provision of enhanced agricultural extension services, small-scale irrigation and market infrastructure facilities that significantly reduce variability in agricultural production and enable smallholders take advantage of new and more productive opportunities.

The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and the main development partners (DPs) supporting the AGP have undertaken to design and implement a second phase of this program. Ongoing discussions indicate that the overall rationale and scope of the program will remain relatively unchanged but that new approaches and themes will be included into the design, including:

- Themes: Improved access to rural finance, strengthened linkages with AGP-aligned projects and

RED&FS flagship programs;

- Approach: value-chain, watershed management and nutrition sensitive agriculture.

In its current phase (AGP1 - terminating September 2015), the AGP doesn't have any explicit nutrition sensitive objectives and activities, but the current design offers many obvious and significant entry points for nutrition sensitive interventions (e.g. extension system, SSI, types of crops, livestock investment).

In addition, two aligned projects of AGP1 have components related to nutrition outcomes:

(1) CASCAPE (EKN) program aiming at scaling-up best practices has a sub-component on nutrition. It has recently started a pilot project in Amhara region (Bahirdar University cluster of the project) in collaboration with Community Based Nutrition program of UNICEF (CBN-UNICEF) to have a better agricultural-nutrition linkage and improve the nutritional status of rural households especially of women and children. Following this pilot program, other University clusters are currently starting various nutrition sensitive agricultural activities in different regions of the project.

(2) ENGINE program supported by USAID targets AGP woredas and aims at decreasing maternal, neonatal and child mortality by improving the nutritional status of women and children less than 5 years through sustainable, comprehensive and coordinated evidence-based interventions.

R a t i o n al e f o r nu t r i t i o n m ai n s tr e a m i ng i n A G P 2 There are strong reasons for focusing on nutrition in Ethiopia:

Despite recent improvements, the level of chronic undernutrition (stunting) of children

under five years of age at 44% (representing over 6 million children)42 is still the eighth highest in the world and Ethiopia remains one of the 36 high burden countries43. Furthermore, the stunting rates in two out of the four AGP Regions are above national average with Amhara (52%), Tigray (51%), SNNPR equalling national average stunting rate (44%) and Oromia slightly below (41%). Stunting is also a significant problem in AGP woredas, most of the woredas having stunting rate above 40%44. Acute malnutrition (wasting) stands at 9.7% predominantly in pastoral and agro-pastoral zones. One in four women suffers from chronic under nutrition in Ethiopia45.

Levels of micronutrient deficiencies (“hidden hunger”) are high: vitamin A deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia affect a majority of Ethiopian children and a large number of women.

The prevalence of low birth-weight is 20%, one of the highest in the world46. Undernutrition is still the principal cause (57%) of child mortality in Ethiopia47. Total costs associated with undernutrition in Ethiopia are estimated at birr 55.5 billion

(US$4.7 billion) for the year 2009, equivalent to 16.5% of GDP for that year48.

Furthermore, the Government has made a clear political commitment to address undernutrition with the support of development partners in Ethiopia by engaging with the global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement; by launching a National Nutrition Strategy in 2008 operationalised through a multi-sectoral National Nutrition Programme of two periods 2008-2012 and 2013-2015; by including nutrition in the country’s five year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP); and by its pledge to (i) reduce stunting to 20% and

42 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 201143 identified by the Lancet Series on Nutrition in 200844 ENGINE nutrition baseline survey, 201345 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 201146 UNICEF (2011) State of the World’s Children47 Save the Children (2009) Transform Nutrition Situation Analysis48 The Cost of Hunger in Ethiopia: Implications for the Growth and Transformation of Ethiopia (AU/NEPAD/UNECA/WFP)

underweight to 15% by 2020; (ii) allocate an additional US$15 million per year to nutrition up to 2020; and (iii) build on multi-sectoral collaboration49.

In the Cost of Hunger Study (COHA, 2009), stunting was estimated to reduce annual GDP by 3.8% due to losses in potential productivity in manual intensive activities. Thus, malnutrition, if not addressed, will considerably undermining the potential of economic growth of these high-potential areas and will significantly minimize the overall impact of AGP and other development interventions.

Through signature of the NNP 2013-2015 in June 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has committed under strategic objective 4 to strengthen implementation of nutrition sensitive interventions in its sector. The NNP clearly states that agriculture growth projects should be scaled up with more emphasis on increasing the quality of food produced and on mainstreaming nutrition. In addition, MOA as secretary of the National Nutrition Coordination Body (NNCB) is responsible for making sure that government programmes incorporate or mainstream NNP.

The goal of nutrition sensitive agricultural interventions is to improve human nutrition amongst the target population by means of adapting or introducing activities to gain the best nutritional advantage within the overall scope of agricultural projects and programmes. This is achieved by:

a. Promoting the availability of foods that contribute to a sufficient and well-balanced diet, notably those that are dense in micronutrients. This includes special efforts towards the introduction or intensification of the cultivation of selected crops, including garden and orchard produce; and/or support for the production of livestock especially for milk production. Options may include drought resistant and/or short cycle varieties of staples, and/or the introduction and popularization of bio fortified varieties to combat specific micronutrient deficiencies, notably of vitamin A and iron.

b. Promoting access to these foods: here the fundamental issue is affordability. This is normally enhanced by the items being produced by the target population, who in the case of the AGP are smallholders, rather than by commercial plantations or ranches. Within the target population there may be the need to specially promote the involvement of poorer households in terms, for instance, of access to small-scale irrigation and/or seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, milk-producing small stock etc.

c. Promoting the consumption of these foods: here the issues may be a combination both the market and food preferences/behavior. At least for non-staple crops, sustainability and productivity are likely to depend upon producers marketing their produce, notably garden products and dairy products, where the market chain takes the items beyond the target community. Alongside work to improve market returns for the producer there is often the need to promote also direct consumption by the households, especially children. This is likely to involve efforts to promote nutritional awareness and education, often especially amongst mothers. Issues will include the choice and balance of the items that households decide to produce in terms of marketing versus home consumption, and their understanding of the content and importance of a balanced diet.

d. ‘Do no harm’: here amongst special considerations are avoiding discrimination, however unintended, in the participation of and benefits to poorer people or women; avoiding an imbalance between cash crops and selected food crops to be promoted (following c. above); and avoiding over- burdening of women’s time on project activities at the cost of child-care time which is crucial to child nutrition and health.

e. Specifying nutritional aims and outputs in the project/program objectives, and including these in the design of M&E.

49 London Conference on Nutrition for Growth (June 2013)

Recent research has identified six possible pathways50 for linking nutrition to agriculture interventions:

(1) Agriculture as a source of (diversified) food;(2) Agriculture as a source of income for food and non-food expenditures;(3) Agricultural policy and prices;(4) Women in agriculture and intra-household decision-making and resource allocation; (5) Maternal employment in agriculture and child care feeding;(6) Women in agriculture and maternal nutrition and health status;

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

2.1 Global objectiveThe main objective of the assignment covered by these terms of reference is to assist the AGP TC and the AGP CU with the preparation of the next phase of the AGP towards the programme embracing a nutrition sensitive approach.

2.2 Specific objective(s):(1) Problem analysis of nutrition status in sample Regions/woredas of ongoing and future AGPimplementation (using MoA and CSA data as well);

(2) Review and map-out the specifically nutrition-related emergency and development-oriented interventions that are being implemented by both government and non-governmental organizations in AGP operational areas;

(3) Recommend how the next generation of AGP can achieve more impact on nutritional outcome/ status through adopting some of the activities recommended under the National Nutrition Program (NNP) Action Plan, or CAADAP/PIF or other initiatives.

(4) Identify the target group for these interventions

(5) Identify nutritional indicators relevant for the AGP with a view to their incorporation in AGP M&E.

(6) Provide support for the design of nutrition sensitive interventions in AGP2.

2.3 Requested servicesThe scope of the assignment includes:

(1) Desk review and mapping of the major nutrition related policies and program implemented in the AGP areas, including the National Nutrition Program (NNP), AGP 1, Agricultural extension program, and nutrition sensitive projects supported by development partners and implemented in partnership with MOA, indicating their implementation arrangements at different levels.

(2) Consultation with government institutions (MoA, MoH…etc), donors and non-government actors, including officers at field project sites, to determine what activities and their implementation modalities could be included in the future generation AGP to maximize their impact on nutritional status and better link to and complement the NNP; an half-day consultation meeting should be organized at the end of the second phase of mission;

(3) Work closely with and provide technical support to the AGP TC/CU in generating a work plan for improved incorporation of nutrition activities and outcomes in the next generation of the AGP and related projects.

2.4 Required outputsConceptual framework51: In general terms, nutrition-sensitive agriculture should both maximise the impact of nutrition outcomes for the targeted population and minimise unintended, negative nutritional consequences of agricultural interventions and policies on

50 Annex 3 : Pathways from agriculture to nutrition51 See Annex 2: Lancet 2013 Conceptual framework for nutrition specific/sensitive programs

these populations. A recent agriculture sector-specific review of evidence and field experiences, together with a stakeholder consultation, has shed some light on these matters (FAO, 2013: h t t p : // www . f a o.o r g / d oc r e p / 01 7 / a q 194 e / aq 1 94e 0 0.h t m nutritional outcomes of agriculture and food systems are context-specific, a consensus is emerging around generic key recommendations or “guiding principles” for improving nutrition through agriculture (h t t p : / / uns c n.o r g / f i l e s / A g r i cu l t u r e - N u tr it i o n - C oP/A g ri cu l t u re N u tr it i on _ K e y _ r e co m m enda t i ons.p d f

The consultants will be required to:

1. Map out the nutrition related programs and interventions in AGP operational woredas.

2. Identify key nutrition-related information on or relevant to these areas that may be found in reports and available datasets, e.g. anthropometric evidence; clinical evidence on child nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies; livelihood or other evidence on chronic/seasonal problems of access to sufficient food in quantity and quality (availability, affordability for households); evidence on food consumption habits and behavior and problems of balanced diets especially for children; evidence on production or price shocks and their nutritional effects (using Government data as well)

Establish from this documentation the main, relevant conclusions and messages.

3. Present an analysis from the woreda level perspective showing how nutrition activities are currently implemented and interlinked, identifying any gaps/overlaps in the system. The analysis will be based on documentary review, including that above and AGP and other relevant documentation, and on interviews with AGP and partner organization officers and other individuals, in the capital and in the field, and will include:

Situation analysis of the nutritional problems in sample AGP Regions and woredas, with particular reference to how they relate to the themes and interven-tions of the AGP.

Identification of the major gaps in addressing or implementing improved nutrition in AGP1 and other nutrition sensitive projects under MOA.

Identification of existing nutrition sensitive interventions in AGP (including compila-tion of relevant guidelines/tools produced by these interventions) and sugges-tions for new interventions (including implementation arrangements) that can be incorporated into key or cross-cutting components of AGP. This will include consid-eration ofi. production issues (e.g. the choices of food crops promoted and the balance of

concentration on food crops and non-food cash crops);ii. the appropriateness and feasibility of the introduction of bio- fortified foodcrop varieties to combat vitamin A or iron or other micronutrient deficiencies;market issues (e.g. the relative propensity for extra produce - cereals, pulses,

vegetables and fruits, dairy - resulting from the AGP interventions to be sold or to be consumed by producer households);

iii. nutrition awareness and education issues related to consumption behavior, in particular regarding dietary balance in child nutrition;

iv. and gender issues (e.g. the participation of women and their command ofhousehold gains in kind and cash resulting from AGP interventions, and effects on

their time budget of project participation with particular reference to child care time).

Provision of training and capacity building interventions: to deepen and strengthen understanding of nutrition issues and their implication to socio-economic develop-ment. This will refer to both personnel working on AGP activities and community participants in the program.

Coordination mechanisms for nutrition at the national, regional, zonal and woreda levels and their effectiveness in ensuring that interventions complement each other and support households with malnourished children in a comprehensive manner.

4. Recommend what activities could be included in the future generation AGP to maximize their impact on nutritional status and better link to/ complement the AGP and MOA role in the NNP;

Recommend how nutrition could be integrated in future AGP objective setting and how nutrition related activities should be mainstreamed regarding both delivery and recipient aspects at household, community and institutional levels52;

Identify and analyse nutrition sensitive implementation opportunities and challenges. This will include identifying of a feasible number of activities for specified project ar-

eas, targeting people within communities if appropriate (e.g. poorer households; women53/youth); establishing the content of these activities and the technical require-ments for their introduction as appropriate; establishing the M&E requirements out-lined below; identifying which types and levels of personnel would need be directly involved and how the new or modified activities would fit within a feasible work-load; establish training requirements for officers involved in the activities (e.g. in terms of nutrition education/awareness building interventions).

Prepare a nutritional Project Development Objective and define outcomes/results in-dicators and relevant additions the M&E process that need to be incorporated into AGP 2. In relation to these establish baseline survey requirements, monitoring activi-ties and evaluation procedures that may be feasibly carried out within the AGP con-text.

Outline the key institutional opportunities for implementing nutrition activities and the required means for improving implementation capacity. In this context the consul-tants should communicate/link up as appropriate with other relevant studies or activi-ties that will be concurrent with their work. Apart from activities directly attached to the NNP, these might include the nutrition mapping and causal analysis work for the Roadmap under the EU+ Joint Action Framework for Nutrition; the EU/UNICEF Ca-pacity Development for Nutrition and Agriculture Linkage project; and the IFPRI/FAO research project on Scaling Up Nutrition: what role for agriculture?

5. Develop a work plan, budget, and accountability framework (including logical/result framework) for nutrition activities strengthening AGP 2.

2.5. Language of the specific contractThe language for this specific contract is English.

2.6. SubcontractingSubcontracting will not be authorised.

3. EXPERTS PROFILE or EXPERTISE REQUIRED

The assignment will be carried out by a team of two experts (category I and category II). One of them will be assigned to act as Team Leader (category I).

Team leader (cat I): Expert in applied nutrition (60 man/days+ 10 potential reserve days)

Qual if icati ons a nd ski ll s :- Master's Degree (University or equivalent institution or a recognised professional qualification) in human nutrition or relevant discipline;- Excellent analytical and proposal/technical report writing skills;- Excellent communication skills;- Fluency in both written and spoken English;

52 The potential role of Development Agents (DAs) in the extension delivery system should be taken into considera -tion

53 In application of the 1000 days approach, a particular focus should be given to pregnant and lactatingwomen.

Gener al pr ofes si onal expe rience:- 12 years experience of work in the field of applied nutrition/nutrition education/nutrition linked to agricultural or other economic interventions;- 12 years of professional experience in donor-funded project design, implementation and/or monitoring & evaluation in nutrition or relevant to nutrition;

S pecific prof essi onal ex perienc e:- Proven experience as a team leader in at least five (5) similar missions (in content, duration and members of team);- Proven experience in analysing information and developing strategic recommendations;- Solid experience of field projects implementation and/or design;- Confirmed experience in M&E requirements and procedures;- Project design experience on agriculture-nutrition mainstreaming/linkages would be a considerable advantage;- Previous experience in Ethiopia would be an advantage.

Expert 1 (cat II): Expert in applied nutrition (60 man/days)

Qual if icati ons a nd ski ll s:- Master's Degree (University or equivalent institution or a recognised professional qualification) in human nutrition or relevant discipline;- Excellent analytical and proposal/technical report writing skills;- Fluency in both written and spoken English;

Gener al pr ofes si onal experience:- 6 years experience of work in the field of applied nutrition/nutrition education/nutrition linked to agricultural or other economic interventions;- 6 years experience in donor-funded project design, implementation and/or monitoring & evaluationin nutrition or relevant to nutrition;

S pecific prof essi onal ex perienc e:- Solid professional experience in desk literature reviews, analyses and syntheses for planning purposes;- Confirmed experience in related field projects implementation and/or design;- Proven capacity for relevant information analysis;- Project design experience on agriculture-nutrition mainstreaming/linkages would be a considerable advantage;- Previous experience in Ethiopia and knowledge of the broad policies within the Ethiopianagriculture/nutrition sector would be an advantage.

4. LOCATION AND DURATION

4.1. Starting periodThe assignment should start beginning of September (tentatively 1/9/2014).

4.2. Foreseen finishing period or durationThe duration of the assignment will be 60 days for both experts, including 5 days of reportwriting at the end at the consultants’ headquarters.

A reserve of 10 additional working days (5 in Ethiopia, 5 at home base) are foreseen for Team leader under conditions that any of the deliverables of the present assignment are delayed due to unforeseen and external reasons which occurred out of the control of the Framework Contractor and are duly justified in writing.

The use of the 10 reserve working days will be subject to a written request by the contractor and written approval by EU Delegation to Ethiopia, the contracting authority for this assignment.A separate budget item for fees and per diem (cf. budget breakdown) should be included in the offer referring to these 10 reserve days.

The period of implementation of the contract may be up to 6 months from the start date.

4.3. Planning including the period for notification for placement of the staff as per art 16.4 a)The project will be coordinated and supervised by the Delegation of the European Union, the Agriculture Growth Programme Technical Committee (AGP TC), the Agriculture Growth Programme Coordination Unit (AGP CU) within the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Office of the National Authorising Officer (NAO). The operational responsibility for the assignment will lie with the Rural Development and Food Security (RDFS) of the Delegation.

It is envisaged that this assignment will be split into two phases. The first, of six weeks duration, will be devoted principally to undertaking a contextual and situational analysis and will include both documentary review and meetings in Addis Ababa including attendance at part of the AGP2 formulation meeting; and substantial time visiting field offices and projects in the four AGP Regions.

The second phase of five weeks will start indicatively in the last week of October54 and will concentrate on the formulation of nutrition sensitive interventions and related design and capacity issues, and will again include a visit to the field to discuss these with project personnel. The final week will be home-based finalisation of the report.In Addis Ababa, the work will be carried out on the basis of 5 days/week whereas during the field mission work schedule would follow a 6 days/week basis.

Activities Place Duration Expert 1 Expert 2

1st phase (September - October) 33 33 33

Context & Situation analysis, stakeholders consultations, database

Addis Ababa (AA)

5 5 5

AGP2 Formulation meetings AA 5 5 5

Field Mission AGP Regions 18 18 18

Analysis / Interim Debrief AA 5 5 5

2nd Phase (End October55 - December) 27 27 27

Definition & Design of interventions AA 5 5 5

Definition & Design of interventions AGP Regions 12 12 12

Final Analysis, Debrief, Report writing AA 5 5 5

Report completion Home-Based 5 5 5

RESERVE (Team leader) 10 10

To be confirmed AA 5 5

To be confirmed Home-Based 5 5

54 Edited as per EUD clarification of 01/07/2014 and 22/07/201455 Edited as per EUD clarification of 22/07/2014

TOTAL (excluding reserve) 60 60 60

4.4. Location(s) of assignmentThe overall mission will take place in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa & 4 AGP regions: Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and SNNPR) with exception of report finalization (5 days) that will be carried out at the consultants' headquarters.Two field mission covering 4 AGP regions will take place: in September and October during 3 weeks and at the beginning of September for a period of 2 weeks56.

5. REPORTING

5.1. ContentThe Team Leader will be responsible for drafting the reports mentioned below. The reports will have to be submitted to the Project Manager identified in the contract. The Project Manager will be responsible for approving them.

Inception ReportAn inception report of 5 pages maximum should be produced after five (5) working days from the start of the assignment. In the report, the experts must describe the initial findings of the literature review, the progress made in collecting data, the challenges encountered and/or foreseen. It will also provide a planned programme of work for the whole consultancy period and make suggestions for the location of the field visit while defining its objectives and programme.The report will be discussed with the EU and other interested/concerned stakeholders (see above point 4.3) at a meeting convened by the Team Leader.

Aide-mémoireAn aide-mémoire of maximum fifteen (15) pages will be submitted to the program manager four (4) days before the debriefing meeting at the end of 1st phase of the mission.The aide-mémoire will present the main findings at this stage of the mission including a brief summary of the outcomes of the field visit as well as of the stakeholder consultations in Addis Ababa.

Draft Final ReportA draft final report of maximum thirty (30) pages will be submitted within 15 days of thesecond part of the mission and will be containing the following two standalone parts:

Findings from the situational analysis and synthesis, stakeholder and institutional analysis, mapping of ongoing interventions, gap analysis, recommendations etc

Intervention proposals including objective (PDO), M&E, logical framework, planning, budget, implementation modalities, institutional arrangements for these interventions

Final report:The consultant will produce the final report covering all the contents of the draft reportoutlined above by incorporating comments from the feedback on the draft report 10 working days after receiving the feedback. The Delegation will coordinate collation of comments on the draft report hence all comments should be received by the Delegation five working days after submission of the draft report for onward transmission to the consultant. The consultant will then finalize the report within five (5) days of the receipt of comments. Once approved the final draft will be circulated in 6 hard copies as the Final report.

5.2. LanguageThe report must be submitted in English.

5.3 Submission/comments timing56 Edited as per EUD clarification of 01/07/2014 and 22/07/2014

Reports will have to be submitted in a timely manner. Feedback from the EU Delegation will be provided within 10 days of report submission. Final approval will follow within five days of submission of finalised reports.

5.4 Number of report(s) copiesThe reports will be submitted electronically and in 6 hard copies to the EU Delegation. EUD will subsequently distribute copies to major stakeholders, notably NAO, MoA and MoH.

6. INCIDENTAL EXPENDITURE

Travel costs outside Addis Ababa: an estimated allocation should be based on two field visits of 30 days in total for two experts (local air tickets and/or car hire). A proposal for the duration of the field trip based on the number of districts / areas to be visited will be included in the draft inception report including a work-plan for the entire visit based on a clear formulation of the objectives of the visit and its expected outcomes.

4 International travel(s), including visa(s) – as needed. Per diem for a maximum of 150 days in Ethiopia including 4 international days travel to

and 30 days in the field for each expert. Sundry expenses for a half-day stakeholder's workshop covering rental of medium size

conference room (30 persons) including catering and IT services are foreseen; Translation costs if none of the experts has adequate local language skills.

7. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Definition of indicatorsNA

8. ANNEXES

Annex 1: Concept note on mainstreaming nutrition in AGP2Annex 2: Lancet 2013 Conceptual framework for nutrition specific/sensitive programmesAnnex 3: Pathways from agriculture to nutritionAnnex 4: List of AGP woredasAnnex 5: Map of AGP woredasAnnex 6: Ethiopia: situation analysis for Transform NutritionAnnex 7: Indicative chronogramAnnex 8: Bibliography

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