Integrated value chain development for nutritious and safe foods

Integrated value chain development for nutritious and safe foods


In 2022, GAIN began to implement a new generation of projects targeting the entire value chain for selected nutrient-dense foods.

A number of foods are particularly rich in the nutrients that are commonly lacking in resource-poor populations such as iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, calcium, and vitamin B12. Priority foods have been identified by GAIN researchers Ty Beal and Flaminia Ortenzi.

Numerous barriers have been identified that prevent consumers from accessing these foods; they occur at all stages of the supply chain from production inputs right through to household behaviours, and they can be understood in terms of the '4P's: products, processes, people, and policies. GAIN’s approach to analysing supply chain blockages is described here.

In 2022, GAIN began to implement a new generation of large projects targeting priority food value chains. Each project works on all of supply, demand, and the enabling environment, and in all cases the work builds on existing investments to strengthen the relevant value chains. All of these projects will be assessed on their ability to change consumption frequency and quantity among low-income consumers.

Currently, we are working on: vegetables in Kenya; dairy in Ethiopia, and animal-source foods (eggs, poultry, and freshwater fish) in Mozambique.