Shenggen Fan discusses the link between agriculture and nutrition, noting that agricultural growth can increase incomes, diversify diets, lower food prices, and generate government revenue for nutrition programs. Biofortification is highlighted as a sustainable and cost-effective way to improve micronutrient levels in staple crops. The composition and patterns of agricultural growth matter for nutrition outcomes. Priorities and sequencing of interventions need to vary by country and region. National accountability and coordination across sectors are key. The conference aims to strengthen linkages between agriculture, nutrition and health by identifying best practices and building consensus on priorities.

1. Potential of Agriculture for Nutrition:
Priorities and Sequencing
Shenggen Fan
Director General
International Food Policy Research Institute
Global Conference on Biofortification
November 9, 2010

2. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, January 2010
Agriculture and Nutrition
- Agricultural growth increases households’ income, so
households can buy foods from markets or consume
more from own production
- Diversification of production in households will provide
more diversified diet for their own and for markets
- Agricultural growth lowers food prices, benefiting urban
poor and rural food net buyers.
- Agricultural growth generates government revenues, so
the government can use these revenues for targeted
nutrition and social safety net programs

3. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Why biofortification?
 Sustainable and cost-effective intervention to improve
nutrient content of staple crops and reduce
micronutrient malnutrition
 One time investment and small recurrent costs
 Resistance to fluctuations in government policies
 Focus on staple foods
 Reach poor and undernourished segments in remote areas
 Complimentary approach to fortification and
supplementation
Important link between agriculture and health/
nutrition but not silver bullet

4. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Growth patterns matter
 Agriculture often considered as homogenous
whole → ignore diversity of subsectors
 Same growth rate could lead to different
nutritional outcomes due to diverse growth
patterns, including:
Smallholders vs. large farms
Staple vs. cash crops
Female- vs. male-led households
Less developed vs developed regions

5. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Composition of agric. growth is important
Calorie-growth
elasticity
Poverty-growth
elasticity
Maize -1.9 -1.5
Sorghum & millet -1.5 -1.5
Pulses & oilseeds -1.8 -1.4
Roots -1.1 -1.5
Horticulture -1.0 -1.4
Livestock -0.7 -1.3
Export crops -0.8 -1.4
Source: Pauw and Thurlow 2010
Poverty-growth and calorie-growth elasticities, Tanzania (2000-07)

6. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Priorities and sequences critical
 Comprehensive approach: broad spectrum of
interventions to improve health and nutrition
 Ranges from agricultural growth and nutritional
interventions to improved sanitation and
internalization of cultural norms
How to set priorities and sequence interventions?
Priorities and sequencing must vary by country or
even sub-region within the same country and
may change over time

7. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
Changing dynamics in practice
China/Vietnam → Changing importance of policy instruments
and investments over time:
 Initially agricultural growth was sharpest tool due to high occurrence
of poverty
 Move towards more targeted approach with focus on
disadvantaged regions and groups
 Recent growing challenge of overnutrition and obesity
India → Continued need for improved nutrition through:
 Higher agricultural growth, esp. vegetables, fruits and dairy products
 Improved status of women
 Improved rural infrastructure, including drinking water, rural roads,
health clinics, and sanitation
 Targeted nutritional interventions and social protection

8. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
National level accountability is key
 Nutrition needs to be part of Ministries of Agriculture
mandate
 Ministries of Health need to treat agriculture as part of
solution to nutrition and health problems
 Greater interdisciplinary communication and
coordination among government, non-profit, and
private agencies
 Increase political support through public education on costs
of malnutrition and benefits of agricultural and other
interventions
 Accountability mechanisms and incentives must be
established and strengthened

9. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
CGIAR reform and its link to
nutrition and health
 Improved nutrition and health as explicit goals in
addition to food security and poverty reduction
 Development of Mega Program (MP4) to link
agriculture and health, with research focus on:
 Realizing potential of agriculture to improve nutrition
» Agriculture for improved food security, diet quality, and
nutrition
» Biofortification of staple foods
 Managing multiple burdens of agriculture-associated diseases
 Involvement of more than 10 CGIAR centers, national
research institutes, and other partners

10. Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, November 2010
The conference will:
 bring together information on how to strengthen
linkages among agriculture, nutrition, and health
 identify “best practices” in policies and programs
 further knowledge and build consensus on
priorities for appropriate action
 facilitate networks amongst stakeholders
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