Linking agriculture and
nutrition: potential of value
chain approaches
Dr Corinna Hawkes
Addressing ACP nutrition security: the key role of agriculture: 23rd Brussels Development Briefing, June 15 20211
What is a value chain approach?
From agricultural production for nutrition…
…to value chains for nutrition
$
Farmers
Farmers
Processors
Wholesalers
Traders
Retailers
Consumers
Consumers
What do value chain approaches
add to existing efforts to leverage
agriculture for nutrition?
Activities
Actors
Inputs into production
Crop breeders; extension services
Food production
Farmers, agricultural laborers,
food storage and processing
3)Primary
Enables
identification
of coordinated,
Secondary food processing
multisectoral solutions
which we know are
Food distribution, transport, and trade
needed to address
malnutrition
in all its
Food retailing and catering
forms
Food promotion and labeling
1) Focus on
meeting
nutrition
goals
through
supply
Food
availability
4) But also can help meet
agricultural
goals
by
Packers, millers, crushers,
refiners
identifying leverage
Processed
foods manufacturers
points
where
economic
value for agriculture and
Importers, exporters, brokers,
value
for nutrition can be
created, while assessing
Informal retailers, supermarket chains,
the trade-offs
Advertising agencies
Food
affordability
Food
quality
Food
acceptability
Food consumption and diet quality
2) … and
demand
Examples
Creating economic and nutritional
value from OFSP, Mozambique
Source: Coote et al. In: Hawkes and Ruel, IFPRI 2020 Conference Background Paper #4, 2011
Enhancing nutritional value & marketability of beans (Uganda)
Value Chain Steps
Inputs into production
Production
Activities
Field trials with new varieties
Soil & terrain analysis
Farmers trainings
Post-harvest
handling/storage
Technologies to  losses (insects)
Nutrient retention analysis
Processing
Test sequencing + duration of
different processing techniques
(nutrient retention, anti-nutrients)
Marketing
Increase productivity,
nutrient content, demand
for nutritious beans
Analyze main market channels
Drivers of market decisions
Presence of nutrient-enhanced foods
Consumer surveys
Cooking trainings, Education,
Behavior chance communications
Source: Mazur et al. In: Hawkes and Ruel, IFPRI 2020 Conference Background Paper #4, 2011
Why should we be developing and
implementing value chain
approaches now?
• The current focus on value chain
development for agriculture provides an
opportunity to build in nutrition goals
• Now more accepted that malnutrition in all its
forms will only be solved through actions
beyond the health sector
• “Value chains can be developed to improve
nutrition outcomes while also providing
solutions to development challenges in other
sectors, not least, in agriculture”
Thank you