Nutrition-sensitive agriculture: What have we learned so far?

TLDR

Governments, donors, and development organizations increasingly support nutrition‑sensitive agriculture to meet development goals, yet empirical evidence of its impact on nutrition remains weak. This review examines recent empirical evidence from 2014 onward on NSA programs, including impact evaluations and observational studies linking agriculture, women’s empowerment, and nutrition. It synthesizes knowledge on impacts, pathways, mechanisms, and contextual factors that determine how agriculture can improve nutrition outcomes. The paper highlights implications for programs, policies, and investments, and identifies future research priorities.

Abstract

A growing number of governments, donor agencies, and development organizations are committed to supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) to achieve their development goals. While consensus exists on pathways through which agriculture may influence nutrition-related outcomes, empirical evidence on agriculture's contribution to nutrition and how it can be enhanced is still weak. This paper reviews recent empirical evidence (since 2014), including findings from impact evaluations of a variety of NSA programs using experimental designs as well as observational studies that document linkages between agriculture, women's empowerment, and nutrition linkages. The paper summarizes existing knowledge regarding impacts, but also pathways, mechanisms, and contextual factors that affect where and how agriculture may improve nutrition outcomes. The paper concludes with reflections on implications for agricultural programs, policies, and investments, and highlights future research priorities.