All are invited to join a newly opened discussion on the Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) website entitled, ‘Integrating nutrition into the curricula of agriculture education institutions: Strengthening human capacity to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture.’
This topic is raised and facilitated by FSN Forum member, Mebit Kebete Tariku who is working as an education advisor for nutrition in Ethiopia, and would like to gather expertise on how to integrate nutrition into the training of agricultural workers, on what components to include, and on what results to expect on the ground.
The conversation has already begun! Please consider adding your direct experience, as well as your ideas and thoughts on this topic. You can add your contribution by emailing it to FSN-moderator@fao.org or by posting it on the FSN Forum discussion board.
Full introduction of topic:
In many countries, agricultural development has traditionally focused on raising productivity and maximizing production of cereals. For example, in Ethiopia it is evident from a 2015 report that 67.24% of the total cultivated area grows cereals, amounting to 61.5% of total production composed of cereal crops (CSA, 2014/15 Meher season agricultural sample survey for private holding farmers). The same survey results show that only 0.98% of total area of production is covered by vegetables, with only 1.55% total production as vegetable. This production system indicates a problem of dietary diversification where cereal crops are staple foods which constitute a major portion of the national diet. In effect, because a majority of the national food supply is cereal, it is difficult for people to access foods that are richer in protein and minerals, such as milk, meat, fish, eggs, beans, vegetables, and fruits, which are often more expensive than cereals.
Recently the term “nutrition sensitive agriculture” has emerged as a way to define agriculture investments made with the purpose of improving nutrition. The overall objective of nutrition-sensitive agriculture is to make the global food system better equipped to produce good nutritional outcomes. Increases in food production do not necessarily guarantee to improve diets or nutrition.
In addition to the production and consumption patterns found, a shortage of adequately trained agricultural workers providing nutrition services and support is thought to contribute to persisting high rates of malnutrition in Ethiopia (40.4% stunting; 25% underweight; 5% wasting, and 3% overweight/obesity, mini Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey 2014). The shortage of extension workers with nutrition knowledge and skills has been noted in other countries as well, including the most high-burden malnutrition countries of the world.
The lack of nutrition training of agricultural workers is acknowledged globally as a significant barrier to combating malnutrition through agriculture and food systems. Without social and behavioral changes, improved dietary diversity and consumption patterns, food storage, hygiene and preparation practices, the high prevalence of malnutrition may continue, even if incomes, production and productivity increase.
Based on the growing interest in identifying ways in which agriculture can contribute to improved nutrition outcomes, it is valid and timely to review the possible scope and role of agricultural training institutions in promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture, that is making food systems better equipped to produce good nutritional outcomes.
Ethiopia is one example of a country that has set out to tackle under nutrition by making agriculture more nutrition sensitive and there may be other countries that are taking this direction.
The purpose of this on-line discussion is to share views and experiences of individuals, projects institutions and countries on how to integrate nutrition into the curriculum of agricultural training institutions, and how to strengthen pre-service education for agriculture students so as to develop a competent workforce that is capable of promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
The leading questions for our discussion are:
I thank you in advance for the time and the genuine thoughts that you contribute by responding to these questions. Your practical experience in integrating nutrition into the curricula of agricultural educational institutions is of great importance to facilitate the emergence of a competent workforce in the area of nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
Mebit Kebede Tariku B.Sc. in Plant science, M.Sc. Agriculture (specialized in Soil Science), Master of Public health. Jhpiego Ethiopia, ENGINE/USAID funded project, Pre-service education advisor for Nutrition
