IFAD Workshop in Nairobi Highlights Urgent Need for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture

IFAD stressed importance of nutrition in East and Southern Africa and promote rural development food system

The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) held a three days workshop in Nairobi to discuss on Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture, Rural Development and Food System Transformation projects in East and Southern Africa.

The economic burden of malnutrition on East and Southern Africa countries is significant. Loss of productivity, excess health care costs and poor educational outcomes stemming from malnutrition which translates into reduced earning potential for rural populations and perpetuates the cycles of poverty which IFAD is working hard to break.

The impact of malnutrition on economies at global level is estimated to reach $3.5 trillion per year. At the national level, studies estimate that malnutrition can reduce a country’s GDP by up to 11 percent and that individuals who are affected by stunting can earn up to 22 percent less in their lifetime compared to their well-nourished peers.

Sara Mbago-Mbunu, Regional Director East and Southern Africa said some progress in the region in reducing stunting rates among children under 5 most notably in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda, countries in East and Southern Africa still face significant challenges in meeting nutrition targets.

“Overlapping crises affect many of our countries. Across the region, countries are facing higher food and energy prices. Conflicts, natural disasters and climate change, are putting countries under extreme difficulties in achieving their sustainable development goals by 2030. The lack of infrastructure for food processing and storage are realities that often prevent rural families from accessing the food they need, especially the high-quality, nutritious food that is essential to break the cycle of malnutrition”, Sara stated.

Moreover Sara noted there is the need to harness the potential of rural agriculture production systems for healthy diets through diversification using innovations, technology, research and science-based solutions to boost its potential to provide safe, diverse and nutritious foods for all.

“Rural agriculture production systems that offer range of varieties, species and breeds are important for biodiversity conservation and have enormous potential to contribute to healthier diets while ensuring climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability”, She added.

Good nutrition is essential for health development, survival, dignity, and economic productivity.

Kenya has triple burden of malnutrition; Undernutrition (underweight (10 percent), stunting (18 percent) and wasting (5 percent), Micronutrient deficiencies (zinc, Vit A, iron, B vits among others) Overweight, obesity with an increasing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Mary Njeri Kabaji Head of Agrinutrition Unit, Ministry of Agriculture said the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is therefore to improve the livelihood of Kenyans and ensure Food and Nutrition Security.

“This is realized through the nutrition sensitive agriculture approach with several interventions being implemented. The goal is to improve the nutrition status at household level which then translates to community and National level”, Njeri stated.

In present were IFAD staff from the Regional Office and headquarters: Ethiopia-Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda
Rwanda-Burundi-Comoros-Angola-Zimbabwe-Malawi-Madagascar-Mozambique-Lesotho-Yemen-South Sudan).