Courtesy Concern USA
MOTIVATION
Stunting, a result of chronic undernutrition, is highly prevalent in Zambia, affecting one million children younger than five years old (45 percent of all children). In Mumbwa District, Central Province, where the Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition project is underway, the prevalence rises to 59 percent. Chronic undernutrition is caused by a combination of a lack of good-quality food, poor health, and inadequate care practices, particularly in the first 1,000 days of life. The Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition project, a collaborative effort between Concern Worldwide and IFPRI, aims to reduce the prevalence of stunting in children through integrated agriculture, health, and nutrition interventions during the critical period from conception until 24 months of age. The project increases year-round availability of and access to good quality foods at the household level through improved production at the homestead level, and optimizes wellness through improved communication on best nutrition and health practices.
ONGOING WORK
IFPRI leads the monitoring, learning, and evaluation component of this recently launched project, with Concern Worldwide serving as the main project implementer. IFPRI will rigorously evaluate the impact of the Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition model, monitor process indicators to understand the intended impact pathways, and document and disseminate learning from the project at local, national, and international levels. Other stakeholders include Mumbwa Child Development Agency (a local community-based organization), the Zambia Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and the Zambia Ministry of Health.
