CIAT work on nutrition sensitive value chains in East Africa showcased at FAO in Rome
As stated in the Second International Conference on Nutrition (ICN2) Framework for Action, food systems play a central role in promoting consumption of diverse, nutritious and safe food for all and fighting malnutrition in all its forms. In order to navigate the complexity of food systems and identify entry points for nutrition-sensitive policy and investments, nutrition-sensitive value chains (NSVC) have emerged as a useful analytical framework, and are increasingly recognized as a way to operationalize nutrition-sensitive food systems. However, NSVC are a relatively new issue, and knowledge and capacities on the topic are still limited. NSVC have been identified as the priority topic for the Nutrition and Food System Division of FAO and as a key area of collaboration among Rome Based Agencies (RBAs) such as FAO, IFAD, WFP etc.
CIAT was invited by FAO Nutrition and Food Systems Division (ESN), to attend 2 workshops between 15-17 November in Rome with the following titles:
“Learning Needs Assessment Consultative Workshop for the development of an e-learning curriculum on “Nutrition Sensitive Value Chains” (15 November)”.
“Technical Workshop: Leveraging Small and Medium Enterprises to Improve Nutrition (16-17 November)”.
CIAT staff members Christine Chege and Matthias Jäger presented results, tools and methods developed from their ongoing BMZ funded project on “Making Value Chains work for Nutrition in East Africa”, as a first case study which is actually testing and validating the conceptual framework on NSVC, developed by IFPRI and partners in 2015 (Go to paper). The initial findings and lessons learned from the project will be used in the design of an e-learning course aiming at strengthening the capacity of project designers and managers from RbAs, other next users and policy makers working with (i) nutrition, food security and livelihoods (FSL); (ii) agriculture, agribusiness and value chain development to improve nutrition through sustainable food value chains.
The course will be accessible on-line, free of charge, as a global public good through FAO e-learning Center.
Additional outcomes of the workshop
Identification of new partnerships among various country offices of the Rome based agencies (FAO, IFAD, WFP) and other next users interested in NSVC related capacity building, training and backstopping during project implementation and documentation of project results and impact.
Identification of funding opportunities and potential partnerships to pilot the NSCV approach in other countries than Kenya and Uganda
Read more about the project:
Authors of this blog:
Matthias Jäger
Senior Expert Markets & Value Chains (CIAT)
Christine Chege
PDF: Nutritionist, (CIAT-Kenya)
Making Value Chains Work for Food and Nutrition Security of Vulnerable Populations in East Africa” is supported by:
The CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health and CGIAR donors. It is a joint project between the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance initiative and DAPA-Linking Farmers to Markets. The project is led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in collaboration with The University of Hohenheim (UHOH), University of Göttingen (UGOE), Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO).