Shenggen Fan discusses the link between agriculture and nutrition, noting that agricultural growth can increase incomes, diversify diets, lower food prices, and generate government revenue for nutrition programs. Biofortification is highlighted as a sustainable and cost-effective way to improve micronutrient levels in staple crops. The composition and patterns of agricultural growth matter for nutrition outcomes. Priorities and sequencing of interventions need to vary by country and region. National accountability and coordination across sectors are key. The conference aims to strengthen linkages between agriculture, nutrition and health by identifying best practices and building consensus on priorities.
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1. Potential of Agriculture for Nutrition:
Priorities and Sequencing
Shenggen Fan
Director General
International Food Policy Research Institute
Global Conference on Biofortification
November 9, 2010
2. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, January 2010
Agriculture and Nutrition
- Agricultural growth increases households’ income, so
households can buy foods from markets or consume
more from own production
- Diversification of production in households will provide
more diversified diet for their own and for markets
- Agricultural growth lowers food prices, benefiting urban
poor and rural food net buyers.
- Agricultural growth generates government revenues, so
the government can use these revenues for targeted
nutrition and social safety net programs
3. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Why biofortification?
Sustainable and cost-effective intervention to improve
nutrient content of staple crops and reduce
micronutrient malnutrition
One time investment and small recurrent costs
Resistance to fluctuations in government policies
Focus on staple foods
Reach poor and undernourished segments in remote areas
Complimentary approach to fortification and
supplementation
Important link between agriculture and health/
nutrition but not silver bullet
4. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Growth patterns matter
Agriculture often considered as homogenous
whole → ignore diversity of subsectors
Same growth rate could lead to different
nutritional outcomes due to diverse growth
patterns, including:
Smallholders vs. large farms
Staple vs. cash crops
Female- vs. male-led households
Less developed vs developed regions
5. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Composition of agric. growth is important
Calorie-growth
elasticity
Poverty-growth
elasticity
Maize -1.9 -1.5
Sorghum & millet -1.5 -1.5
Pulses & oilseeds -1.8 -1.4
Roots -1.1 -1.5
Horticulture -1.0 -1.4
Livestock -0.7 -1.3
Export crops -0.8 -1.4
Source: Pauw and Thurlow 2010
Poverty-growth and calorie-growth elasticities, Tanzania (2000-07)
6. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Priorities and sequences critical
Comprehensive approach: broad spectrum of
interventions to improve health and nutrition
Ranges from agricultural growth and nutritional
interventions to improved sanitation and
internalization of cultural norms
How to set priorities and sequence interventions?
Priorities and sequencing must vary by country or
even sub-region within the same country and
may change over time
7. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Changing dynamics in practice
China/Vietnam → Changing importance of policy instruments
and investments over time:
Initially agricultural growth was sharpest tool due to high occurrence
of poverty
Move towards more targeted approach with focus on
disadvantaged regions and groups
Recent growing challenge of overnutrition and obesity
India → Continued need for improved nutrition through:
Higher agricultural growth, esp. vegetables, fruits and dairy products
Improved status of women
Improved rural infrastructure, including drinking water, rural roads,
health clinics, and sanitation
Targeted nutritional interventions and social protection
8. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
National level accountability is key
Nutrition needs to be part of Ministries of Agriculture
mandate
Ministries of Health need to treat agriculture as part of
solution to nutrition and health problems
Greater interdisciplinary communication and
coordination among government, non-profit, and
private agencies
Increase political support through public education on costs
of malnutrition and benefits of agricultural and other
interventions
Accountability mechanisms and incentives must be
established and strengthened
9. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
CGIAR reform and its link to
nutrition and health
Improved nutrition and health as explicit goals in
addition to food security and poverty reduction
Development of Mega Program (MP4) to link
agriculture and health, with research focus on:
Realizing potential of agriculture to improve nutrition
» Agriculture for improved food security, diet quality, and
nutrition
» Biofortification of staple foods
Managing multiple burdens of agriculture-associated diseases
Involvement of more than 10 CGIAR centers, national
research institutes, and other partners
10. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
The conference will:
bring together information on how to strengthen
linkages among agriculture, nutrition, and health
identify “best practices” in policies and programs
further knowledge and build consensus on
priorities for appropriate action
facilitate networks amongst stakeholders
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