Mapping and planned research on agricultural for improved nutrition: A mapping and a gap analysis

This report examines current and planned research projects on agriculture for improved nutrition and uses a mapping process to identify gaps in research coverage. A conceptual framework has been developed to define and charaterise agricultural research for improved nutrition. The study analyses 151 research projects, most of which are part of broader research programmes. A significant majority of projects concern Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on nutritional impacts on women and children. Most projects are led by organisations in Europe and North America, with research partners located in low and middle income countries. Most research projects are directed at improving the production of nutritious foods, including biofortification, other crop improvements, indigenous/traditional/local foods and agrobiodiversity. A second set of projects are characterized by their focus on value chains, which are largely concerned with nutritious food. A third group of projects are concerned with agricultural growth and development with no specific focus on nutritious food. The rest of the projects include the development of methodologies, collection of datasets and capacity building.

 C. Hawkes, R.Turner and J. Waage - DFID August 2012