Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture (NSA) Program Implementation and Learnings in CALABARZON

Abstract

The importance of agriculture across the different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) results from its increased relevance to long-term developmental consequences that affect children and other vulnerable groups. Although encouraging progress has been achieved in documenting nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) in community-based programs through analyses of existing data, much remains to be learned about what, how, and at what cost agriculture can contribute to improving nutrition outcomes. This study aims to explore the perceptions and understandings of local agriculture planners towards NSA in CALABARZON, Philippines. It also aims to describe the current position of the local agriculture planning in the study area. Data were collected using a phenomenological study design using two focus group discussions and five key informant interviews. Municipal agriculturists, municipal agriculture officers, agriculture extension workers, municipal nutrition action office (focus groups), and provincial agriculture officers (key informants) were recruited. Patterns were identified through a rigorous process of data familiarization, data coding, theme development, and revision. It was observed that NSA is a new concept among the local agriculture planners in the study area. Understanding of the participants on NSA mainly focused on improving the nutrient content of the crops produced to improve the nutrient intake of the population. Although the agriculture office has conducted several programs related to nutrition in the past, the continuity of the projects was not sustained. Thus, there is a need to increase the awareness of local institutions towards the importance of improving the nutrition sensitivity of local agriculture plans.