Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Interventions in Mountain Areas—Lessons Learned From a 5-Country Project to Upscale Best Practices

Bernet, Thomas; Kurbanalieva, Shakhnoza; Pittore, Katherine; Zilly, Barbara; Luttikholt, Louise; Eyhorn, Frank; Batlogg, Verena; Arbenz, Markus

doi:10.1659/mrd-journal-d-18-00027.1

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Valorization and strengthening of local structures has been presented as an actual or potential strategy towards sustainability in several NSA studies. Reference is made to the integration of interventions in existing agriculture and health systems [ 35 , 38 , 41 , 61 , 62 ], with close involvement of local authorities/institutions [ 37 , 59 , 63 ], and the importance of building their capacity . Doubts have been raised about long-term sustainability when a central coordinating role is given to a new structure created ad-hoc by a project [ 64 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative evidence for improved caring, feeding and food production practices after nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions in rural Vietnam

et al. 2022

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Background Research on nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) has mostly been aimed at demonstrating its impact on nutrition and explicating underlying pathways, and more rarely at understanding processes and lessons learnt from them. This study aimed to gain insights into the processes that influence behaviour change, contributing to improved caring, feeding and food production practices, using a program theory perspective. It also investigated perceived challenges to the sustainability of interventions and potential solutions, in the context of an NSA program in rural Vietnam. Using a participatory approach, data were gathered on impact pathways and perceived outcomes, on elements of program theory that led to behavioural change, as well as barriers and facilitators. Respondents in semi-structured interviews (n = 30) and seven focus group discussions (total n = 76) were selected purposively among program participants. Data was collected and triangulated across several stakeholder groups. Results The impact pathways (production-consumption, caring and feeding, and home-grown school feeding) envisaged in the NSA program functioned as intended; synergies were revealed. The increased supply of locally produced nutrient-rich foods not only contributed to the emergence of a promising income sub-pathway but also reinforced synergy with the home-grown school feeding pathway. Improved diets, feeding and caring practices, and school attendance were key outcomes of the program. Successful elements were pathway-specific, such as flexibility in implementing context-appropriate agricultural models. Others, such as benefit-driven motivation and improved knowledge, triggered changes in multiple pathways. Role models, increased self-confidence, and change agents were the main process facilitators. The biggest barrier to both implementation and sustainability was the poor socio-economic conditions of the most disadvantaged households. Conclusions This study showed the relevance of NSA programs in addressing undernutrition in remote areas by enhancing self-reliance in local communities. The integration of behaviour change activities proved to be a key strategy in the process to enhance the impact of agriculture on nutrition outcomes. Though outcomes and influencing factors are very context-dependent, lessons on what worked and what did not work could inform the design and implementation of effective behaviour change strategies in future NSA programs in Vietnam and elsewhere.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative evidence for improved caring, feeding and food production practices after nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions in rural Vietnam

et al. 2022

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“…The importance of key influencers and change agents as part of the community mobilization and engagement strategy has been highlighted in other NSA studies. 60 - 62 For example, Ogoye-Ndegwa et al 61 described ways to empower primary school children to become change agents for community development in the context of a school-based nutrition action-research project in Kenya. In our study, nursery school children triggered changes in the home environment, a spin-off not envisaged in the ex-ante program theory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home-Grown School Feeding: Implementation Lessons From a Pilot in a Poor Ethnic Minority Community in Vietnam

et al. 2022

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Background: Undernutrition threatens the health and future of preschool children in disadvantaged remote communities. Home-grown school feeding (HGSF) in nursery schools could positively impact children’s nutrition while creating multiple benefits for the whole community. However, evidence is lacking on implementation of HGSF within multi-sectoral programs in remote areas. Objective: This study assessed an HGSF pilot intervention, part of a nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) program, in a mountain ethnic minority community in Vietnam. It aimed to identify the changes brought about by the intervention, in particular diversity of children’s food, food sources, barriers and facilitators to change, and future challenges and strategies. Methods: Mixed-methods assessment covered school meal diversity, cost, and food sources but the key focus was on observed changes resulting from the HGSF intervention and perceived barriers and facilitators to its implementation. Data were collected mainly through semi-structured interviews (n = 30) and seven focus group discussions (n = 76). Results: School meals contributed to increasing diversity of food consumed by children. Above 30% of foods used were home-grown. Respondents reported increased school attendance; children’s food preferences and hygiene practices improved as did parents’ caring and feeding practices. Local food systems became less cash-crop-oriented and more self-reliant, contributing to household food security and income generation. Social capital increased. Positive changes were attributed to HGSF and synergy among NSA program components. Poverty and limited resilience to external shocks threatened sustainability. Conclusions: Implementing HGSF within an NSA program in a mountainous ethnic minority area with a high prevalence of undernutrition benefitted children and their communities.

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“…information including the reasons for their choice, their capacity in carrying out the proposed intervention, the potential impact and the required resources. In the project's Phase 1, most interventions emphasized local crop production, organic agriculture, processing, conservation and post-harvest, marketing, and awareness creation activities (Bernet et al, 2018). In the project's Phase 2, MIs continued (see Figure 3) while nutrition promotion was integral to all SUNSAIs.…”

Section: Intervention and Study Sites And Implementing Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empowering rural service providers to improve nutrition in mountain regions

Sabir

Bernet

Riar

2023

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Improved agroecological practices tend to lead to production diversity but often fall short of achieving optimal dietary diversity in rural contexts. Thus, multi-prong interventions involving knowledge and skill development for production and consumption are needed. This study assesses nutrition and production-related interventions implemented in the East African Highlands, Pamir-Tian Shan, Hindukush and the Andes. Overall, 601 rural service providers were trained and supported to implement various nutrition-sensitive agroecological interventions. Study results show that these interventions significantly increased the intake of flesh food, eggs, vitamin A-rich leafy greens, and vitamin-A-rich vegetables and fruits. The increase in production diversity was correlated with the increase in dietary diversity. Thus this study highlights the crucial role of rural service providers in catalyzing nutrition-related changes in mountain contexts.

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Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Interventions in Mountain Areas—Lessons Learned From a 5-Country Project to Upscale Best Practices

Cited by 4 publications

References 19 publications

Qualitative evidence for improved caring, feeding and food production practices after nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions in rural Vietnam

Qualitative evidence for improved caring, feeding and food production practices after nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions in rural Vietnam

Home-Grown School Feeding: Implementation Lessons From a Pilot in a Poor Ethnic Minority Community in Vietnam

Empowering rural service providers to improve nutrition in mountain regions

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