Tropentag, September 17 - 19, 2018 in Ghent "Global food security and food safety: The role of universities"

Improving Nutrition through Agriculture – What Have We Learned and How Can We Support SDG Outcomes

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), United States of America

Abstract

The CGIAR's Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH) Programme, begun in 2012, was designed to better leverage agriculture interventions for improved nutrition. Since then, significant progress has been made in understanding the agriculture pathways for improved nutrition and evaluating the contributions of agriculture interventions to nutrition and health impacts. Multiple pathways for improving nutrition rely on women's empowerment. In addition, much has been learned on how to augment agriculture interventions with nutrition education.
For achieving SDG outcomes, country ownership and leadership are critical. Countries are seeking to improve nutrition through multiple sectors, including agriculture and food systems. This requires navigating dietary transitions, strengthening country ownership of programs and investment decisions, convening public with private and civil society partners, and better understanding drivers that shape demand.
Also important in the A4NH approach is assessing different impact pathways and how actors along these pathways contribute to nutrition and health outcomes and impacts. A systematic approach to planning and assessing such theories of change will be described with some examples. This will then be further elaborated in a subsequent panel discussion by A4NH research leaders.

Keywords: Agriculture, impacts, nutrition, outcomes, theories-of-change

Contact Address: John McDermott, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH), Washington, United States of America, e-mail: J.McDermottcgiar.org