Projects show ways to link agriculture, nutrition and food security in single program
WASHINGTON, February 19, 2015 — Three innovative, award-winning projects from Africa were highlighted at a global event on February 19, 2015, which was broadcast live from World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C. The projects show how agriculture, nutrition and food security goals can be achieved in a single development program.
“Nutrition is a top priority for the World Bank Group and a key focus of the health, nutrition and population strategy, and is increasingly being addressed in agricultural activities,” said Nicole Klingen, Practice Manager for Health, Nutrition, and Population at the World Bank Group. “The practical examples highlighted through the Harvesting Nutrition Contest provide a meaningful contribution to the evidence base of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and are expanding our understanding of what will help deliver the greatest impact for countries.”
The half-day event—which included video and photo portraits, a technical panel, an award presentation, and a keynote speech—was the capstone event of the 2013 Harvesting Nutrition Contest, a joint effort between the SecureNutrition Knowledge Platform, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and Save the Children UK.
The three winning projects were selected from among 50 applicants worldwide, and were awarded $5,000 each in grant funding to recognize innovation.
The winners of the 2013 Harvesting Nutrition Contest are:
- Potential Impact on Nutrition (Zambia): Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition (RAIN)
Aiming to increase year-round availability of and access to high-quality foods at the household level, data from RAIN show encouraging results, with increased production of various micronutrient-rich crops, such as leafy green vegetables, and increased dietary diversity during both the hunger and post-harvest seasons. Rigorous data collection and analysis, conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), is integrated into the program design. Implemented by Concern Worldwide. - Innovation (Kenya): Shamba Shape Up
A “make-over” style reality television show targeting rural smallholder farmers, Shamba Shape Up is a clear standout as an innovative platform for presenting and disseminating nutrition messages. Shamba Shape Up, which is implemented by The Mediae Company, reaches more than 10 million farmers in East Africa with tools and information to improve productivity and income on their farms. - Scalability (West, Central, and East Africa Regions): N2Africa
This large-scale multi-country “research to development” project is promoting new technologies for improving productivity of legumes such as groundnut, cowpea and common bean—commonly regarded as women’s crops. N2Africa, which is implemented by Wageningen University, works with a wide variety of stakeholders across the value chain from seed to fork, and from field to market. A strong evaluation system provides the basis for ongoing feedback and learning.
“Improving agriculture is about both boosting farm productivity and increasing the consumption of wholesome, nutritious foods necessary for healthy, productive lives,” said Mark Cackler, Manager, World Bank Agriculture Global Practice. “The winning projects show how nutrition-sensitive approaches can deliver strong development dividends for the ultimate benefit of poor people.”
To watch the broadcast, and to learn about each of these winning projects, please visit the Harvesting Nutrition event website: http://goo.gl/FOHEHd.
The SecureNutrition Knowledge Platform, funded through the World Bank Group, aims to bridge knowledge gaps between agriculture, food security, and nutrition. The platform offers a space to exchange experiences and to disseminate and gather information. Please join us in our quest to foster open development through increasing coordination and collaboration in the generation and sharing of knowledge.
