NUTRITION-SENSITIVE PROMOTION OF VEGETABLES

A food system encompasses food production, distribution and consumption supported by markets and various institutions such as extension services. Successful food systems offer consumers manifold, affordable and nutritious food choices. Well-informed consumers are knowledgeable and aware of the importance of healthy diets and effectively communicate their preferences for food types, qualities and quantities through the food supply chain. But the reality is very different in many countries across sub-Saharan Africa where poor people, particularly women and children, know little about healthy diets and consume insufficient nutrient-rich foods leading to micronutrient deficiencies. It is essential that different approaches to increase consumption of nutrient-rich foods are tested, and if effective, brought to scale. Among these, it is highly recommended that the smallholder farmer value chain approach be applied. This approach emphasizes synergistic nutritional outcomes from food production, processing/packaging, marketing and consumption.

To increase male and female smallholders’ knowledge about the nutritional significance of the foods they produce, purchase and consume, the NutriSenseProm project directs nutrition education and communication strategies at all value chain stakeholders. This knowledge enables them to make better production and consumption decisions.

This project aims to influence key vegetable value chain stakeholders towards decisions leading to positive nutrition outcomes; growing diverse and nutrient rich crops, off-season vegetable production, and improved postharvest handling and processing. This is a little tried but potentially effective approach; building on public-private partnerships will require substantially fewer resources than awareness campaigns directed only at consumers. The project will design, test and fine-tune a strategic approach specifically designed for producers and traders. It will build on public-private partnerships and be applied to the development and use of nutrition messages and delivery systems. If successful, it is expected that the approach can be adapted and scaled-out across sub-Saharan Africa.