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.

Background: There is growing recognition that ''nutrition-sensitive'' development is necessary to ensure nutrition security and reduce malnutrition. While agriculture has the potential to be a strong driver of malnutrition reduction and serves as the main source of livelihood for approximately twothirds of East Africa's population, its potential to reduce malnutrition is currently not being realized. Objective: Leveraging Agriculture for Nutrition in East Africa is a research study based in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda that seeks to understand the enabling environment necessary for optimizing the contribution of the food and agriculture sector to nutrition outcomes. Its objectives were to explore stakeholder perceptions of nutrition-agriculture linkages, of political and institutional challenges and opportunities, of evidence that is available and influential for policy making, and of key issues with regard to capacity. Methods: Open-ended and semistructured interviews were conducted with 53 stakeholders from government, civil society, donors, United Nations organizations, private sector, and research/academic institutions in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda in 2014. Results: Although policy opportunities and contexts are different between the 3 countries, stakeholders identified similar barriers to greater action, including a narrow focus on solely market-oriented and staple crop production, a lack of clarity and incentives within the agriculture sector about improving nutrition and how to translate policy into action, and lack of capacity in human and financial resources. Many actions to improve the nutrition sensitivity of agriculture were mentioned, including crop diversification, value chain activities and improved market access, nutrition education, and reduction in time and labor costs to women. Conclusion: Many opportunities exist to strengthen the impact of agriculture on nutrition in East Africa, but stronger formulation and implementation of policies will require adequate human resources, funds, timely data on the context, sector alignment on priority actions, and alignment on a framework or indicators for accountability.

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Malnutrition costs the world trillions of dollars, but global commitment to improving people’s nutrition is on the rise, and so is our knowledge of how to do so. Over the past 50 years, understanding of nutrition has evolved beyond a narrow focus on hunger and famine. We now know that good nutrition depends not only on people’s access to a wide variety of foods, but also on the care they receive and the environment they live in. A number of countries and programs have exploited this new understanding to make enormous strides in nutrition. Nourishing Millions: Stories of Change in Nutrition brings together the most intriguing stories from the past five decades to show what works in nutrition, what does not, and the factors that contribute to success. The stories gathered here examine interventions that address nutrition directly—such as community nutrition programming and feeding programs for infants and young children—as well as nutrition-sensitive policies related to agriculture, social protection, and clean water and sanitation. The authors consider efforts to combat the severest forms of acute malnutrition as well as overweight and obesity. They shed light on nutrition success stories on the ground in places ranging from Bangladesh, Brazil, Nepal, Peru, Thailand, and Vietnam to Ethiopia and the state of Odisha in India. The book also examines how nutrition “champions” emerge and drive change. Altogether, Nourishing Millions is a unique look at past and emerging nutrition successes and challenges around the world.Chapter 1 How Nutrition Improves Chapter 2 On the Front Line Chapter 3 Off to the Best Chapter 4 Hidden Hunger Chapter 5 Addressing a Neglected Problem Chapter 6 From the Ground Up Chapter 7 Reducing Risk, Strengthening Resilience Chapter 8 Clean Is Nourished Chapter 9 Malnutrition’s New Frontier Chapter 10 Local to National Chapter 11 Nutrition and Equality Chapter 12 Getting to Specifics Chapter 13 Reaching New Heights Chapter 14 Commitments and Accountability, Chapter 15 On the Fast Track Chapter 16 Agriculture, WASH, and Safety Nets Chapter 17 25 Years of Scaling Up Chapter 18 Championing Nutrition Chapter 19 New HorizonsBookPRIFPRI1; Transform Nutrition; compact2025; F Strengthening institutions and governance; B Promoting healthy food systems; E Building ResilienceDGO; PHND; A4NHCGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH

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