Leveraging agriculture for nutrition in South Asia and East Africa: examining the enabling environment through stakeholder perceptions

Abstract

South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are the two regions of the world with the highest concentration of undernutrition. The majority of the nutritionally vulnerable populations in both regions is dependent in some way upon agriculture as a primary source of livelihood. The agriculture sector and wider agri-food system is considered to be central to sustained progress in reducing undernutrition -and yet not enough is known about how to unleash this potential. Recent scoping assessments have also revealed a paucity of information on wider political, institutional and policy-related challenges relating to the agriculture-nutrition nexus globally. Contextualized research into policy processes and the political economy of agriculture and nutrition is needed to better characterize Benabling environments^for agriculture to benefit nutrition, and how these environments can be shaped and sustained. This study aims to contribute to filling this gap, by drawing upon evidence from a set of case studies in South Asia (India, Bangladesh and Pakistan) and eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya). In synthesizing results across countries, while recognizing important nuance and detail, we conclude by highlighting four key issues to be addressed. First, improving knowledge and perception of undernutrition and its links to agriculture, on the part of agricultural policymakers and programme managers. Second, generating system-wide incentives for decisions and actions to become more pro-nutrition. Third, developing transparent systems of accountability for nutritionrelevant action throughout the agriculture sector, through linking timely and actionable data and evidence with incentives. And fourth, cultivating and strengthening leadership and capacities at different levels, underpinned by adequate financing.

Generating political commitment for ending malnutrition in all its forms: A system dynamics approach for strengthening nutrition actor networks

“…Global actors, typically international organizations (eg, WHO, UNICEF, and World Bank), donor agencies (eg, USAID, DFID, JICA, and CIDA), and global initiatives (eg, SUN, GAIN, and MNI), were also often seen as important drivers of NANs . Several global initiatives (eg, SUN) have been explicitly designed to “foster country ownership and broad stakeholder engagement in policy development and implementation” and have been seen as important in galvanizing the formation of multisector nutrition networks . In some low‐income country contexts, policy and programming may be almost entirely donor driven with initial research and pilot projects taken to scale in collaboration with government partners …”

“…Several global initiatives (eg, SUN) have been explicitly designed to “foster country ownership and broad stakeholder engagement in policy development and implementation” and have been seen as important in galvanizing the formation of multisector nutrition networks . In some low‐income country contexts, policy and programming may be almost entirely donor driven with initial research and pilot projects taken to scale in collaboration with government partners …”

“…The expansion of donor or government nutrition budgetary commitments, adequate funding, and effective financing have enabled many NAN activities . In contrast, inadequate financing, or the failure to effectively utilize or administer financial resources, is a major challenge for NANs . Inadequate nutrition budgets have undermined their human, technical, and administrative capacities.…”

“…Major reported challenges have included a lack of training providers, trained nutrition professionals and administrators, as well as high staff turnover . Another is weak technical capacities, especially regarding the collection, management, and analysis of multisectoral/multilevel data …”

Is There an Enabling Environment for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture in East Africa?

“…The data from these country studies have also been drawn upon in a 6-country synthesis that includes South Asia countries, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. 16 …”