Nutrition in Mountain Agro-Ecosystems (NMA)

Project completed

A disproportionally high number of the world's 2 Billion hungriest and chronically malnourished people reside in mountain regions. SDC supports the establishment of a Mountain Agro-ecology Action Network by the International Federation on Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) and consortium which will facilitate the integration of nutrition sensitive practices into service delivery and policies. Triggering consumer demand for diversified diets and diversified agricultural production shall lead to improved nutrition and resilience for half a million people, particularly women and children.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Agriculture & food security
Education
Agricultural development
Agricultural research
Tertiary education
Agricultural policy
01.10.2014 - 31.05.2018
CHF 2'725'000
Background

A disproportionally high number of the worlds 2 Billion hungry and malnourished people reside in mountain regions. Households and communities in mountain areas depend highly on agriculture which is often constrained by scarce arable land resources, difficult climatic and topopgraphic conditions and poor infrastucture.

Several impact studies have shown the positive effects of ecological intensification on improved nutrition. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture involves the design and implementation of sustainable farming and cropping systems with explicit nutrition outcomes.

Rural Service Providers (RSP) are key agents for the delivery of nutrition knowledge and practices to rural communities and are a suitable vehicle to improved nutrition of rural communities because they reach and interact closely with farmers in different settings.

The governments of the five project countries Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Pakistan, Nepal and Ethiopia have committed to address malnutrition, having malnutrition rates between 14% and 44%.

Objectives

Improved access to sufficient nutritious food for rural communities in mountain regions through a network of actors facilitating innovation and diversification of proven agro-ecological and other nutrition sensitive practices.

 

Target groups
  • Rural (farming) households in mountain areas
  • Local level: Rural Service Providers
  • National level: Decision makers (public and private sector)
  • Global Level: Policy makers and donors
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Farmers, Processors and Traders diversify and intensify production, improve post-harvest management and promote a nutritious product range for self-subsistence and to consumers.

Outcome 2: National policies and action plans support diversified production and consumption.

Outcome 3: Agro-ecology-based diversification is promoted internationally as a feasible approach to improve nutrition in mountain agro-systems.

Results

Results from previous phases:  

  • The stakeholder assessment confirmed the assumption that many rural service providers active in the target areas lack access to specific knowledge, experience and courage for solutions in nutrition sensitive agriculture, processing, trade and consumption. A social and knowledge network focusing on nutrition sensitive community work, gathered around internet platforms and events is new to the specific group of RSP.
  • Options for nutrition sensitive interventions were identified in each country.
  • Detailed selection procedures for participating RSP’s developed, reflecting needs and challenges.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
Other International Organization
  • Other international or foreign NGO North
  • Other OI


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   2'725'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   2'571'343 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF  5'725'000
Project phases Phase 99 01.06.2018 - 31.12.2020   (Planned) Phase 2 01.06.2018 - 31.10.2021   (Current phase)

Phase 1 01.10.2014 - 31.05.2018   (Completed)