If the farmer grows, who will buy? Building Demand under the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS)
, Global
The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) relies on a cross-cutting ecosystem of research, policy, production, and demand working together to drive the adoption and consumption of 'opportunity crops'
Nutrition Impact at Scale Profile
NUTRITION IMPACT AT SCALE (NIS) Through the Nutrition Impact at Scale project, GAIN seeks to scale the impact of its work to increase access to safe and nutritious foods, especially for low-income consumers. By working with other organisations (Enterprise Support Organisations) that are willing and have the requisite capacity to attach a 'nutrition lens' to their work with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Nutrition Impact at Scale (NIS) will enable a large-scale and accelerated nutrition impact for the larger African population. Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, NIS uses a market systems development approach to improve food systems, increase inclusivity, and, ultimately, nutrition outcomes. The project leverages on the extensive experience GAIN have developed over the years of providing quality technical assistance, networking experience, knowledge sharing, building capacity of partners, and the provision of various tools and resources to MSMEs, to attach a 'nutrition lens' to the work of ESOs in Nigeria, Benin, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Kenya.
ANIMAL-SOURCED FOODS IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES
In 2023 and 2024, one of the focus areas of discussions within the Netherlands Working Group on international Nutrition (NWGN) platform was the nexus between climate change and sustainable healthy diets with a focus on animal-sourced foods (ASFs), reflecting the protein transition discussion in the Netherlands, while realising that this transition to a more plant-based protein diet might not be appropriate for the contexts in Low Middle Income Countries (LMIC)s. With this position paper the NWGN, and Clim-Eat (a think-and-do tank that aims to accelerate food systems transformation under climate change) aim to stimulate dialogue on the consumption of ASFs in LMICs within the Dutch government at large, within the ministries and embassies as well as among our members and partners. The aim is that these dialogues will translate into policies and programmes, diplomacy and facilitation and will enable partners in the Netherlands and LMICs to take a stand that addresses the nutritional needs of vulnerable people while also considering climate change.
Building Networks With Purpose: Aligning Private Sector Investment With Government Nutrition Priorities
The SUN Business Network (SBN), co-convened by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), operates within the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement’s multisectoral framework to address malnutrition, through private sector engagement.
FOOD FORTIFICATION: Policy Recommendations to Strengthen Programmes and Enhance Impact
KEY MESSAGES Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread globally; recent studies revealed that 1 in 2 children and 2 in 3 women are deficient in at least one micronutrient Fortifying staple foods with micronutrients is a costeffective and safe intervention that is proven to prevent micronutrient deficiencies and related outcomes While food fortification programmes are widely implemented around the world, gaps remain. The availability and coverage of high-quality fortified foods are often low, even in countries with fortification mandates, and many countries that could benefit from fortification programmes do not have them. Countries need support to implement best practices around appropriate programme design, effective monitoring of quality and compliance, and regular review of programme assumptions to ensure they remain safe and impactful over time. National governments, industry, technical partners, and donors all have diverse roles to play in strengthening food fortification programmes and enhancing impact.
WorldFoodDay: Social Protection at GAIN
GAIN's Approach to Nutrition-Sensitive Social Protection Through partnerships, policy advocacy, and programmes, GAIN works in seven countries to make social protection systems more nutrition-sensitive and better equipped to combat systemic and intergenerational inequities that limit the reach of vital services.
Trade-offs or Trade-ups? Policy Coherence between Fostering Trade and Improving Nutrition
Last month the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released its biennial State of Agricultural Commodity Markets report, and we were delighted to see it focusing on a topic close to our own hearts: policy coherence between trade and nutrition.
GAIN Working Paper n°45-Returns to supporting agrifood MSMes
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of economic development in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their role is particularly important since they are estimated to make up the vast majority of food system businesses and play a critical role in achieving food security and supporting nutrition, as well as providing employment. To function optimally, business-support programmes and interventions are often developed based on the assumption that institutional constraints impede MSMEs from maximising their potential. Support services can be broadly grouped into financial assistance (e.g., grants, loans) and technical assistance (e.g., business development services, training, networking).