“Agriculture & Nutrition Linkages: Lessons For Policy”

Desmond Lee-Hang, National University of Samoa

AGRICULTURE & NUTRITION LINKAGES: LESSONS FOR POLICY

A Presentation on the Findings from the CTA-funded Samoa Rapid Scan on Food

& Nutritional Security project at the 2nd Pacific Agribusiness Forum 2016

Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, August 30, 2016

Desmond Lee-Hang

National University of Samoa

National University of Samoa

INTRODUCTION

• Food & Nutrition Security (FNS) is high on the global policy agenda

With special significance for ACP countries

• CTA has prioritised Strengthening the linkages btw Nutrition and

Agriculture as one of the three key areas for 2015 and beyond in the

ACP

• At the regional level Pacific leaders prioritised the Food Secure

Pacific programme which was endorsed at the 39th Pacific Islands

Forum, Niue 19-20 August 2008

• In November 2008, organisations convened the Food Secure Pacific

Working Group to progress the food security agenda in the Pacific

RAPID COUNTRY SCANS OBJECTIVES

(3) To share the lessons learned

(1) To undertake a rapid scan of related policies and

interventions undertaken for improving Food and

Nutrition Security

In June 2015, CTA approached NUS to conduct the SamoaRapid Scan on Food & Nutritional Security

(2) To build the evidence base to strengthen the

Agriculture - Nutrition nexus

THE SAMOA RAPID COUNTRY SCAN PROJECT

• The Samoa Rapid Scan project was conducted between July

and October 2015

• A comprehensive methodology was used including a desk

review, as well as interviewing 46 key Stakeholders

• The report was later endorsed by the local stakeholders at the

National Validation Workshop on 23 October 2015 at NUS

SAMOA

Population : 193,480(2015 - estimated)

Pop. growth rate: 0.5%(2001 - 2011)

Surface area: 2,820 km2

Life expectancy :

Male 70 yearsFemale 77 years

GDP (US$)/capita : 4,298

Data Source: WHO and Samoa Bureau of Statistics. 2011. Population and Housing Census

Increased Production = Lower Prices = Increased Consumption?

Chung, Kimberly. 2012. An Introduction to Nutrition-Agriculture Linkages. Research Report 72E.

THE AGRICULTURE & NUTRITION LINKAGE

Governments and Development partners

Fully integrate the goals of the diverse sectors

Production

ConsumptionNutrition

AGRICULTURE IN SAMOA

Modified from: Land Use Map MNRE 1998

Source: Samoa Bureau of Statistics. 2013. Gross Domestic Product by Sector

20%1990’s

10%Since 2012

NUTRITIONAL EATING HABITS

Palusami

Chinese Cabbage Taro

Kangkong

Taro leaves

Cassava leaves

lau pele

Banana Esi

Lyons, Graham, Taylor Mary 2014. ACIAR: Feasibility study on increasing the consumption of nutritionally rich leafy vegetables …

35%

Ministry of Health. 2010-2015. NCD Policy.

CHANGES IN FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS

Can Foods

Chicken

Wheat and Rice

Turkey Tails

56% of food expenditure

SPC. 2014. Pacific Regional Food Security Policy Brief.

External Factors- Availability of Food- Cultural Obligations- Family Income- Decrease in Agriculture- Migration

Internal Factors

- Taste (Meat, Salt & Sugar)- Ease of access & preparation

Lyons, Graham, Taylor Mary 2014. ACIAR: Feasibility study on increasing the consumption of nutritionally rich leafy vegetables …MAF. 2011-2015. Samoa Agriculture Sector Plan (Volume I & II)

FAO. 2013-2017. Country Programme Framework for the Pacific

POPULATION AT RISK%

Po

pu

lati

on

Body Mass Index (kg/m2)18 - 64 years old (yo)

55.9%

28.9%

14.9%

<18.5 ≥30.0≥ 25.0

Under Reported ¼ < 60 yo

& > Climate Change

BMI World wide

Sam

oa

Ministry of Health. 2014. Samoa STEPS Report.

51%

13 -15 years old

Ministry of Health. 2011. Global School Health Survey.

Non-Communicable Diseases

70%

Ministry of Health. 2013. Food and Nutrition Policy.

Cost of Inaction > Cost of Action

Global Financial Crisis

World Economic Forum

=

Source: https://journalofhealthcommunication.wordpress.com/tag/non-communicable-diseases/

ANAEMIA

51% of under-nutrition case

5%

Ministry of Health. 2008-2018. Health Sector Plan- Annual Review Report

Children under 2 and pregnant women being the most

vulnerable groups

POLICIES

Link between agriculture, nutritionand health conveyed through

policies aiming to address issuesthreatening food and nutrition:

- Availability of Food

- Access to Food

- Food Utilisation

- Stability of Food Systems

19 goals, 75 strategies, 86 indicators and implementing agencies

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

AssistanceOne UN & DPs

- Assistance to Farmers- Import Substitution

Monitors School Nutrition Standards Indicatorfor Public Schools

- FNP Implementation (Nutrition Unit) - Media Campaigns

Oversees all Health Programs /Healthy School NutritionSPAGHL

NUS 4 Programmes

- FAKTS- METI- SFA-WIBDI- SAME

Community

Private Sector

GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA

BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY

Awareness

LESSONS LEARNED

Market Development

Strengthening the linkage between Nutrition and Agriculture

Production

ConsumptionNutrition

Agricultural Research

Education to Promote Demand

COMMUNITY

CONCLUSION

(2) Build on ongoing programmes (such as: the FAKTS Pre-school programme, the WIBDI Farm to Table programme, and the SFA Capacity Building programme for Farmers), in collaboration with SAME, CoC and NUS programmes that link Production, Technology Adoption, Marketing/ Commercialization and Consumption

(1) Increase harmonization between programmes inNutrition and Agriculture

(3) Support Agricultural-Nutrition Awareness Programmes suchas the MoH-MESC-MAF School Nutrition Programme to increaseconsumption of locally produced affordable foods

THANK YOU

Q&A TIME