Plugging the gaps between farm and fork
Nutrition has been an increasing concern in Pakistan for almost half a decade. The release of the 2011 National Nutrition Survey showed no improvement in nutrition indicators in decades, and highlighted alarming rates of undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. These results alongside a strong international push to re-focus on nutrition have succeeded in placing nutrition higher on the policy agenda within Pakistan.
Life Cycle Approach for Nutrition Security
It is now realised that malnutrition has to be addressed on a life cycle approach. Children below 1000 days in age require special attention, since malnutrition at this young age leads to several defects including impaired cognitive ability.
Similarly, the three components of malnutrition, namely, under-nutrition, protein hunger and hidden hunger caused by the deficiency of micro-nutrients in the diet will have to be remedied taking into account the age and activity of the individual.
Development of Farming System for Nutrition intervention (FSNi) at crop level
In the face of changing climate, rural agricultural sector is under heightened pressure not only to increase food output, but also to address undernutrition. The FSNi approach (as elsewhere) intends to improve nutritional outcomes and dietary diversity in a rural population through agricultural production- for consumption (direct) or -for sale (indirect).
