HealthyLAND - Crops for Healthy Diets: Linking Agriculture and Nutrition

Objectives and Hypothesis

We investigate a potential link between agro-biodiversity and nutrition diversity. The objective is to find out to what extend and how a more diverse farming system contributes to diverse diets and nutrition security. The project studies the hypothesis whether improvements in farming systems based on ecologically oriented farming has an impact on diversity in food and nutrition availability. Research areas we investigate are prone to monoculture of energy rich crops, serving to sustain calorie intake. We look at alternatives in farming systems for improved food and nutrition security of farm households especially the resource-poor.

Expected Results and Outputs

Expected outputs are a comparison of nutrition security and diet diversity at the three sites in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, which can be classified as currently following a monoculture strategy for survival as well as a comparison of agro-biodiversity and choice of crops at the same sites. Further outputs are tested innovations in the farming system to increase food options by offering more and sustainable alternatives in crops use and incl. of agro-forestry and working for soil nutrient improvements to stop degradation.