A4NH flagship 4: Supporting policies, programs, and enabling action through research

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2017. A4NH flagship 4: Supporting policies, programs, and enabling action through research. A4NH Note 4. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146226

Agriculture is closely linked to both the direct causes of undernutrition (e.g. diets, feeding practices, and health) and the underlying factors (e.g. income, education, access to water, sanitation, hygiene and health services, and equity). However, in many low- and middle-income countries, where a high dependence on agriculture-based livelihoods coexists with a high burden of undernutrition, large changes in agricultural policy and practice have generated relatively small changes in nutrition. In short, there is a disconnect between agriculture and nutrition. The many links between agriculture and nutrition suggest that agricultural policies, interventions, and programs can be better designed to enhance nutrition and health benefits. We see this disconnect not only as a challenge—but also an opportunity. Research under this flagship, Supporting Policies, Programs and Enabling Action through Research, or SPEAR, explores why the disconnect persists, and more importantly, how we can turn agriculture into a powerful lever for raising people’s health and nutritional status, while at the same time contributing to addressing other development challenges, such as food security, poverty, equity, and sustainability.