Approaches to linking agriculture and nutrition programmes

TLDR: It is suggested that national food self-sufficiency will not in and of itself alleviate household malnutrition, and future implementation of strategies linking nutrition and agriculture should test successful nutrition coping strategies and programs currently being implemented in developing countries.

Abstract: A review of literature on the effectiveness of nutrition intervention programs suggests that national food self-sufficiency will not in and of itself alleviate household malnutrition. Policy-makers must be aware of the factors affecting malnutrition. Programs with the potential for improving household malnutrition and food security include agricultural credit programs for women agricultural extension services for women combined health and social service programs with crop production plans and strategies for reducing seasonal effects of production consumption and labor requirements. The design of intervention programs should 1) rely on existing infrastructure and programs; 2) use effective agricultural strategies for achieving nutrition goals (cash crop production hybridization extension services and agricultural credit); and 3) pay attention to household level income and resources womens control of resources and income and household allocation. Future implementation of strategies linking nutrition and agriculture should test successful nutrition coping strategies and programs currently being implemented in developing countries. Typically intervention programs involve supplementary feeding weaning and formulated foods fortification targeted consumer price subsidies food stamps and increasing household income. Food must be distributed on a needs basis in order to improve nutrition at the household level. Provision of food and allocation of food both influence child nutrition. Womens labor demands may influence the number of meals the number of nutritious meals the cultivation of less nutritious crops with less labor input or decreased breast feeding and child care. Food policy research has been dominated by studies of how policies and programs affect consumption rather than by the income and household food links. Macro studies have shown that increased household income contributed to the quality and quantity of the household diet but household malnutrition may still persist depending on a variety of factors such as the expenditure on food items the distribution of food among members and the level of health and hygiene of members.