Evidence-Based Design Process for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Interventions: A Case Study of the Advancing Local Dairy Development Programme in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Nigeria is a significant contributor to the global burden of chronic undernutrition in children under 5 years of age. The undernutrition challenge constrains the productivity of rural households. This study was carried out among beneficiaries of the productivity-enhancing Nigerian Dairy Development Programme (NDDP) to guide incorporation of nutrition into the successor program—Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN). Therefore, this study contributes to the literature about operationalizing nutrition-sensitive agricultural frameworks. Objective: The study sought to determine potential entry points for improving the nutrition of smallholder dairy farmers (≤=5 milk cows) with a focus on food system entry points. Methods: Primary data were collected from 514 smallholder dairy households in Oyo and Kano states of Nigeria. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data collected included minimum dietary diversity for women, nutrition status, and socioeconomic characteristics of households. Qualitative data included information about sources of food, markets, and other food system characteristics. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools and correlation analysis, while common themes were identified from qualitative data. Conclusions: The study showcased men’s important role in food purchase and consumption, particularly in Kano. Increasing opportunities and the ability of women to use nutrition education appeared necessary for translating knowledge into improved practices. The own consumption (i.e., the portion of the milk kept for households’ consumption as well as diversification of foods produced for consumption); income; women’s empowerment; and environmental sanitation pathways seemed to be the most feasible pathways for improving nutrition within the context of the study population.

Fostering an Enabling Environment for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems in Nigeria

“…Two papers in this Special Issue 31,40 report studies focused on improving the implementation of specific interventions/ programmes, compared to the other 7 studies that focus on cross-cutting topics. Birol et al 31 provide an overview of the evolution and outputs in mainstreaming biofortified foods into Nigeria's food supply.…”

“…Their study highlights the importance of strategic partnerships; integration of research into programme implementation to ensure evidence-based implementation; consultation and active engagement of target participants; and addressing demand and supply factors in the delivery of nutritious foods. Ojo et al 40 report a study conducted to identify potential nutrition components and approaches for a planned nutrition-sensitive dairy development project. Their study particularly highlights that local context can be an effect modifier between an intervention and its expected outcomes.…”

“…The study was conducted in one state each in north and south Nigeria and found that differences in gender roles across states was likely responsible for increased income or training being related to higher MDDW in one state but not in the other. The findings from Ojo et al 40 emphasize that the general efficacy of an intervention will not be the sole determinant of its effectiveness in real-world contexts. Rather, interventions should be selected for their potential to be successful within a context, even if they are not the interventions with the largest effect sizes in efficacy studies.…”