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SHENGGEN FAN, RAJUL PANDYA-LORCH, AND HEIDI FRITSCHEL


main concerns and opportunities. By developing cross-disciplinary programs, educational institutions can produce graduates and professionals who—in their capacity as extension workers, healthcare providers, or nutrition counselors—can effectively translate the linkages among agriculture, health, and nutrition in the field for the benefit of all. In addition, evaluations of projects and programs in all three sectors should take the other sectors into account, to help implementers gain feedback and to create incentives for collaboration.


Regional Experiences The links between the three sectors—and consequently, potential solutions—will undoubtedly look different in different countries and regions, given the variations in agricultural systems and practices, food systems, and health and nutrition status. Initial efforts in some countries can point the way to potentially effective approaches and show what works and what does not. It is important to examine how successes can be adapted and scaled up in different regions because the lessons learned from experience to date will suggest areas for investment and policy change. In Africa, poor nutrition and health remain persistent problems. Although


a new focus on agriculture in the region presents an opportunity for countries to exploit the links among agriculture, nutrition, and health as they revise their agricultural policies and direct more funding to the sector, many policymakers at the national, district, and local levels still do not see nutrition as a development issue that should play a role in agricultural planning—despite the existence of several programs linking the sectors in that region. Raising nutrition’s profile in African policymaking circles will thus require strong advocacy from civil society to senior policymakers. In South Asia, malnutrition is disturbingly high. Important questions remain


about why strong economic growth in the region, especially in India, has not done more to push down rates of malnutrition there. It is clear, however, that investments are needed to improve safety net systems and targeted nutrition programs; increase the production and consumption of nutritious foods; enhance gender equity; and strengthen agricultural technologies, rural infrastructure, information technology, and irrigation, water, sanitation, agricultural extension, and credit systems. In addi- tion, programs often rely on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) for funding and support; when NGO funding stops, so do the programs. Consequently, it is important to ensure program sustainability to improve people’s nutrition and health. Although East Asia does not suffer from as much undernutrition as some


other regions, problems of malnutrition remain. For a number of countries in East Asia, agriculture means rice production. Impressive gains in the productivity of rice farmers in recent decades have helped raise incomes and reduce hunger.


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