Table of Contents

A. Nutrition-specific versus nutrition-sensitive

Nutrition-specific refers to actions that address immediate causes of malnutrition (see in light blue in figure below). Interventions refer to action that directly enhance and improve intake at the level of individuals. 

Examples of interventions, mainly implemented by nutrition and health specialists:

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As a means to reach and positively impact rural populations over time, one important priority area to intervene in nutrition sensitive agriculture relates to biofortification (see figure below). Through variety selection and breeding, biofortification aims to increase the nutrition content of relevant food crops whose consumption will then help reduce malnutrition. For instance, the introduction and promotion of orange flesh sweet potato varieties in Sub-Saharan Africa has reduced the Vitamin A deficiency of people, as these varieties contain higher level of Vitamin A than the conventional white fleshed varieties. Both conventional and GMO techniques are used in biofortification programs. Yet, the use of GMO to increase the nutritional value of crops is being perceived as controversial among experts.

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Practical experiences on nutrition-sensitive agriculture:

Videos about experiences relating to nutrition-sensitive agriculture:

Bangladesh: Small fish big gains:

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