Nutrition Capacity Assessment of Agriculture Extension Services in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Achieving meaningful malnutrition reductions in Nigeria and other high-burden countries requires sustained improvements in diets, mediated through nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems. Yet, the capacity to design, plan, implement, and monitor such nutrition-sensitive systems is very limited, including within agricultural extension services delivery. Understanding existing capacity of actors required to implement nutrition change is crucial for effective capacity development. Objective: This study assessed the nutrition capacity of agriculture extension agents (AEAs) in Nigeria and the capacity of their organizations and the institutions within which they operate. Methods: The study assessed 31 extension training materials for inclusion of recommendations for nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 23 extension agents and were coded and analyzed for major themes. Results: Training materials hardly included nutrition objectives and or nutrition-related services to be delivered. Some nutrition-related services were being delivered, including promotion of biofortified crops and nutrient-dense crops and animals, home gardening, food safety, and dietary diversification. However, these services were limited, and service delivery was unstructured, nonuniform, and inconsistent. Numbers of AEAs are quite inadequate while available AEAs had high workloads, are poorly motivated, and had limited funding, supervision, and logistics capacity to perform roles. Physical security was also a challenge for service delivery. Further, complementary activities in other sectors that were necessary for adequate delivery of nutrition-sensitive agriculture did not always exist. Conclusion: Extensive development of nutrition capacities of extension agents appears unlikely to achieve nutrition-related changes if limiting institutional and organizational capacity deficits are not addressed. Plain Language Title: Capacity of Agriculture Extension Agents in Nigeria to Deliver Nutrition Services. Plain Language Summary: Reducing the significant burden of malnutrition in Nigeria requires increased availability and consumption of foods that are nutritious and free from harmful substances. To produce such foods, farmers need adequate nutrition and food safety knowledge and skills. The production of such food will also need to support nutrition in other ways, including increased women’s empowerment. Extension agents traditionally support farmers to adopt new methods of food production and/or processing that support increased food yields. These agents can also be used to deliver services that will address nutrition if they have the necessary knowledge and skills. This study assessed the capacity of agriculture extension agents in Nigeria to deliver nutrition services, in order to determine how to increase their capacity to deliver these services. The results from the study are that the extension agents do not have sufficient knowledge and skills to deliver nutrition services, and that their organizations and the wider context in which they work do not have the capacity to enable them to deliver nutrition services effectively. For instance, the organizations do not have sufficient numbers of staff and do not provide current staff with adequate means of transportation to visit farmers. Insecurity is high and so extension agents are unable to visit farmers frequently because of the potential threats to their lives. The study concludes that effectively using extension agents to deliver nutrition services will require not just training of the extension agents but also improvements in organizational capacity and contextual factors.

Advancing a Multisectoral Platform for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture in Nigeria: Reflections on Effectiveness and Lessons Learned

“…Regarding capacity, other authors [29][30][31] have highlighted individual, organizational, and systemic capacity gaps within the agriculture sector in general as well as for nutrition service delivery in particular. Capacity gaps have likewise been described for multisectoral nutrition action in Nigeria.…”

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

“…37 A study was thus conducted in 2018 to facilitate such understanding for agricultural extension workers in Nigeria. The findings from this study are presented in a paper in this Special Issue 38 and summarized in the section on capacity.…”

“…Regarding the capacity to deliver services and implement programmes, although there have been multiple interventions to build capacity, large gaps still exist that need to be addressed. Two papers in this Special Issue 36,38…”

“…Moreover, job aids, necessary logistics, and other organizational support required to deliver services were inadequate. 38 Finalizing and implementing the Agriculture Sector Workforce Capacity Development Strategy, which is in the pipeline is expected to significantly increase delivery and operational capacity. Implementing the forthcoming Workforce Strategy will further institutionalize a range of sector-wide and customized trainings for various cadres of agricultural officers across all relevant departments and domains, to enhance their understanding and contributions toward improved nutrition.…”

“…Regarding the capacity to deliver services and implement programmes, although there have been multiple interventions to build capacity, large gaps still exist that need to be addressed. Two papers in this Special Issue 36,38 summarize findings related to delivery capacity challenges. Staff at FMARD had not had any nutrition training prior to their involvement in NSA activities, and few days of nutrition training on many topics did not sufficiently build their capacity to execute required tasks.…”