The African Nutrition Strategy: Policy Action at Regional level Addressing ACP Nutrition: The Key Role of Agriculture 15 th June 2011 Brussels, Belgium Boitshepo Bibi Giyose Advisor Food and Nutrition Security NEPAD Agency

Some Realities, Thoughts and Challenges! 1.Food and Nutrition Insecurity remains a huge and pressing problem – a silent emergency; over 200 million affected 2.Coordination of nutrition systems and management of nutrition programmes are extremely weak in many countries 3.Human capacities to address/implement nutrition more comprehensively and effectively have become weaker over time 4.Investments in nutrition are always the lowest in terms of GDP; therefore not commensurate with the magnitude of the hunger and nutrition problems – Nutrition as a development agenda 5.Government commitment and ownership for nutrition usually only on paper; no real tangible commitment backed by resource inputs, and accountability 6.National Nutrition Surveillance Systems have collapsed – therefore information for action is none existent 7.Home grown solutions and indigenous knowledge systems not well harnessed and applied 8.Need to focus on prevention instead of curative/mana gement

Framework to “enable/stimulate/facilitate” countries and the continent to achieve … Why CAADP … The MDGs Food and Nutritional Security Increased Income and Poverty alleviation Sustainable socio-economic growth 10% Public Expenditure allocation to Agriculture (by 2008) 6% Annual Agriculture Productivity growth rate (by 2015)

SUSTAINABLE LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND MARKET ACCESS FOOD and NUTRITION SECURITY RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION / ADOPTION  Building and sustaining Africa’ ability to meet its livelihoods Environmental resilience and growth objectives  6% annual growth in agricultural growth The CAADP Pillars (Forestry, Fisheries, Livestock – horticulture)

CAADP Pillar III Vision To increase resilience at all levels by decreasing food insecurity and linking vulnerable people into opportunities for agricultural growth, and improving nutrition CAADP has been weak in linking with, Health, HIV/AIDS, Gender issues and Social Protection initiatives

NEPAD FNS Flagship Programmes 1. Home Grown School Feeding 2. Reduction of Micronutrient Malnutrition – Food Fortification (including Bio-fortification) 3. Infant, young child and maternal nutrition 4. Dietary diversity – horticulture, fisheries and livestock – Promotion of nutrient rich foods – including traditional and indigenous foods Policy Development/Reviews and Advocacy Capacity Development to reduce hunger and malnutrition

From process to implementation  Formulation of CAADP 4 Pillars  Formulation of investment plans  Technical reviews - Focus on agriculture growth and production, focus on staples -Neglect of other sectors and links thereof for improved food security (health, education, social protection, gender, etc.) -Nutrition remained as an after thought -Little thought paid to issues of governance and coordination for delivery of nutrition

Number achieving selected Milestones Region/REC Focal point appointed Stocktaking, Growth and investment Analysis undertaken Round table held and compact signed Investment plan drafted, reviewed and validated Financing plan secured and annual review mechanism agreed upon Execution of investment plan Africa Central Eastern Northern Southern Western RECs521110

 Common investment areas Food and Nutrition Security Sustainable land and water management Value Chain Promotion and Market Access Science and technology applied in food and agriculture Enhanced institutional capacities and coordination Source 7 th CAADP PP 2011 – Yaoundé, Cameroon report Key CAADP Country Investment Priorities

Key Priorities

International Commitments to End Hunger, Food Insecurity and Malnutrition : The World Food Conference : International Conference on Nutrition : The World Food Summit : The Millennium Development Goals : The African Union (AU) adopted the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) : Kampala IFPRI 2020 workshop : The UN Economic Commission for Africa : The G-8 pledged to double assistance to Africa by : Kampala 2020 Conference on Food Security and Nutrition : Abuja Food Security Summit / Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy : High Food Prices Workshop (AU-NEPAD) : FAO High Level Meeting on Rising Food Prices : FAO Rome meetings, Madrid Spain, Post L’Aquila Etc… : Scaling Up Nutrition, 1000Days, Feed the Future etc : AU Summit Kampala Declarations – Nutrition Day : Delhi 2020 follow up, Nutrition CRSP etc...

2010 Kampala AU Summit Outcomes Recalled relevant previous Assembly decisions on agriculture, Food and Nutrition including CAADP Noted Africa’s potential in becoming food secure and the global momentum to support Africa’s cause Welcomed and endorsed a proposal to establish a strategic group to spearhead and monitor the African Food Basket Decided that an Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day (AFND) will be commemorated on 30 th October every year Requested the AU Commission to coordinate efforts with Member States to commemorate the AFND Also requested the Commission together with NEPAD Agency in collaboration with development partners to take necessary steps to develop and coordinate the implementation of a strategy to take forward the vision of a food and nutrition secure Africa

Some Key issues and Challenges The obtaining agriculture and food security policies – are they relevant and effective? Organization, coordination and management of the national and regional nutrition systems Current levels and quality of capacity to deliver key nutrition actions - across various sectors Ability and commitment to hold all sectors and partners accountable for nutrition outcomes along the value chains

Looking ahead – African Nutrition Continue policy reform through CAADP and other sector avenues – including trade and markets for high value nutritious food commodities, social protection, health, education etc Intensify Advocacy ; Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day Increase public investment for nutrition sensitive and nutrition specific actions Revamp national nutrition coordination and management systems - foster joint planning and regular reporting Build capacity for effective delivery and monitoring of nutrition across sectors – from highest level to grassroots and extension support services

Looking ahead – African Nutrition 2 Strengthen information and evidence base – through e.g. the study on “Cost of Hunger in Africa: Social and Economic Impact of Child Undernutrition”, and National Food and Nutrition Surveillance systems Implement continental and global decisions and targets for food and nutrition security - mutual accountability Foster accountability through a Score Card and “Annual Africa Status Report on Food and Nutrition Security”. Scale Up proven nutrition interventions – link with global initiatives such as SUN, 1000 Days, REACH, Feed The Future, etc.

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