Starting date: January 2024 Duration: 24 month(s) Type: Research
In Lao PDR, many households face insufficient dietary diversity, limiting their ability to meet their essential micronutrient needs. This study explores pathways to improve dietary diversity through agroecological practices.
Key outcomes include:
• Identifying the future smart foods (FSFs) - local, healthy and affordable foods that could complement the current dietary diversity.
• Understanding the barriers to the production, supply and consumption of these FSF.
• Designing interventions to overcome these barriers to FSF production, supply and consumption.
Based on an analysis of scientific data and on a participatory approach, the findings contribute to feeding policy dialogue on sustainable food systems and to designing nutrition-sensitive agroecology programmes in Lao PDR.
The Nutrition Research Facility (NRF) conducted a series of consultations with decision-makers in EU Member States, EU partner countries, within Delegations of the EU in partner countries and within the European Commission, in order to identify their current concerns in relation to nutrition issues in development contexts. This question arose from a consultation workshop focusing on Asian countries.
The study follows a four-step approach combining scientific and local knowledge.
In the first step, the methodology is adjusted in collaboration with partners and study sites are selected (three villages in the Xiengkhouang province).
In the second step, quantitative surveys are conducted in households of the selected villages across two seasons; and participatory approaches (focus groups, games, mapping, calendar, photovoice) are used to identify the FSFs and the obstacles to adopting a healthy and balanced diet.
In the third step, interventions to overcome each obstacle are identified, designed, tested, monitored and evaluated with the populations of the selected villages. Effective impact pathways are described.
Ultimately, the process enables to document the local obstacles and levers for improving dietary diversity, in order to feed policy dialogue and support the design of programmes on food systems and agroecology for nutrition.
By promoting sustainable, inclusive development through agroecology and nutrition-sensitive approaches, the study strengthens the sustainability of local food systems, enhances dietary diversity, and builds resilience in rural communities, particularly among vulnerable populations. The participatory methodology and the focus on policy dialogue fosters partnerships and knowledge exchange, contributing to the EU’s goals of achieving more sustainable agriculture and global food security.
Main contact: Stéphane Guéneau
Organisation: CIRAD
Email address: stephane.gueneau@cirad.fr