The African Nutrition Strategy: Policy Action at Regional level

Addressing ACP Nutrition: The Key Role of Agriculture

15th June 2011 Brussels, Belgium

Boitshepo Bibi GiyoseAdvisor Food and Nutrition Security

NEPAD Agency

Some Realities, Thoughts and Challenges!1. Food and Nutrition Insecurity remains a huge and pressing problem – a

silent emergency; over 200 million affected2. Coordination of nutrition systems and management of nutrition

programmes are extremely weak in many countries3. Human capacities to address/implement nutrition more comprehensively

and effectively have become weaker over time4. Investments in nutrition are always the lowest in terms of GDP; therefore

not commensurate with the magnitude of the hunger and nutrition problems – Nutrition as a development agenda

5. Government commitment and ownership for nutrition usually only on paper; no real tangible commitment backed by resource inputs, and accountability

6. National Nutrition Surveillance Systems have collapsed – therefore information for action is none existent

7. Home grown solutions and indigenous knowledge systems not well harnessed and applied

8. Need to focus on prevention instead of curative/management

Framework to “enable/stimulate/facilitate” countries and the continent to achieve …

Why CAADP …

The MDGsFood and Nutritional Security

Increased Income and Poverty alleviation Sustainable socio-economic growth

10% Public Expenditureallocation to Agriculture

(by 2008)

6% Annual AgricultureProductivity growth rate

(by 2015)

SUSTAINABLE LAND AND WATER

MANAGEMENT

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

AND MARKET ACCESS

FOOD andNUTRITION SECURITY

RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGYDISSEMINATION

/ ADOPTION

Building and sustaining Africa’ ability to meet its livelihoods Environmental resilience and growth objectives 6% annual growth in agricultural growth

The CAADP Pillars

(Forestry, Fisheries, Livestock – horticulture)

CAADP Pillar III VisionTo increase resilience at all levels by decreasing food insecurity and linking vulnerable people into opportunities for agricultural growth, and improving nutrition

CAADP has been weak in linking with, Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender issues and Social

Protection initiatives

NEPAD FNS Flagship Programmes1. Home Grown School Feeding2. Reduction of Micronutrient Malnutrition – Food

Fortification (including Bio-fortification)3. Infant, young child and maternal nutrition4. Dietary diversity – horticulture, fisheries and

livestock–Promotion of nutrient rich foods – including traditional and indigenous foods

• Policy Development/Reviews and Advocacy • Capacity Development to reduce hunger and malnutrition

From process to implementation Formulation of CAADP 4 Pillars

Formulation of investment plans

Technical reviews - Focus on agriculture growth and production, focus on staples- Neglect of other sectors and links thereof for improved food

security (health, education, social protection, gender, etc.)- Nutrition remained as an after thought- Little thought paid to issues of governance and coordination

for delivery of nutrition

Number achieving selected Milestones

Region/RECFocal point appointed

Stocktaking, Growth and investmentAnalysis undertaken

Round table held and compact signed

Investment plan drafted, reviewed and validated

Financing plan secured and annual review mechanism agreed upon

Execution of investment plan

Africa 39 31 25 19 3 5

Central 5 2 1 0 0 2

Eastern 12 10 5 5 1 1

Northern 2 0 0 0 0 0

Southern 5 4 3 1 0 0

Western 15 15 15 13 2 2

RECs 5 2 1 1 1 0

Common investment areas

• Food and Nutrition Security• Sustainable land and water management• Value Chain Promotion and Market Access• Science and technology applied in food and agriculture• Enhanced institutional capacities and coordination

Source 7th CAADP PP 2011 – Yaoundé, Cameroon report

Key CAADP Country Investment Priorities

Food & Nutri-tion Security and Emer-gency Pre-paredness

38%

Sustainable management of land and water

3%

Intensification & Devt of Production and Productivty Systems

18%

Market Access, Competitive-

ness and Value Addition

34%

Enabling Environment1%

Science and technology applied in food and agriculture

1%

Capacity Institutional Development 5%

Key Priorities

International Commitments to End Hunger, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

1. 1974: The World Food Conference 2. 1992: International Conference on Nutrition3. 1996: The World Food Summit4. 2000: The Millennium Development Goals 5. 2001: The African Union (AU) adopted the New Partnership for Africa’s

Development (NEPAD)6. 2004: Kampala IFPRI 2020 workshop7. 2005: The UN Economic Commission for Africa8. 2005: The G-8 pledged to double assistance to Africa by 20109. 2004: Kampala 2020 Conference on Food Security and Nutrition10. 2006: Abuja Food Security Summit / Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy11. 2008: High Food Prices Workshop (AU-NEPAD)12. 2008: FAO High Level Meeting on Rising Food Prices 13. 2009: FAO Rome meetings, Madrid Spain, Post L’Aquila Etc…14. 2010: Scaling Up Nutrition, 1000Days, Feed the Future etc.15. 2010: AU Summit Kampala Declarations – Nutrition Day16. 2011: Delhi 2020 follow up, Nutrition CRSP etc...

2010 Kampala AU Summit Outcomes • Recalled relevant previous Assembly decisions on agriculture,

Food and Nutrition including CAADP• Noted Africa’s potential in becoming food secure and the global

momentum to support Africa’s cause• Welcomed and endorsed a proposal to establish a strategic

group to spearhead and monitor the African Food Basket• Decided that an Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day (AFND)

will be commemorated on 30th October every year• Requested the AU Commission to coordinate efforts with

Member States to commemorate the AFND• Also requested the Commission together with NEPAD Agency in

collaboration with development partners to take necessary steps to develop and coordinate the implementation of a strategy to take forward the vision of a food and nutrition secure Africa

Some Key issues and Challenges• The obtaining agriculture and food security policies –

are they relevant and effective?• Organization, coordination and management of the

national and regional nutrition systems• Current levels and quality of capacity to deliver key

nutrition actions - across various sectors • Ability and commitment to hold all sectors and

partners accountable for nutrition outcomes along the value chains

Looking ahead – African Nutrition • Continue policy reform through CAADP and other sector

avenues – including trade and markets for high value nutritious food commodities, social protection, health, education etc

• Intensify Advocacy ; Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day• Increase public investment for nutrition sensitive and

nutrition specific actions• Revamp national nutrition coordination and management

systems - foster joint planning and regular reporting • Build capacity for effective delivery and monitoring of

nutrition across sectors – from highest level to grassroots and extension support services

Looking ahead – African Nutrition 2 • Strengthen information and evidence base – through e.g.

the study on “Cost of Hunger in Africa: Social and Economic Impact of Child Undernutrition”, and National Food and Nutrition Surveillance systems

• Implement continental and global decisions and targets for food and nutrition security - mutual accountability

• Foster accountability through a Score Card and “Annual Africa Status Report on Food and Nutrition Security”.

• Scale Up proven nutrition interventions – link with global initiatives such as SUN, 1000 Days, REACH, Feed The Future, etc.

Thank you and stay in the loop!

CAADP Website: www.caadp.netNEPAD Website: www.nepad.org

AU Website: www.africa-union.org

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