Enhancing the Nutrition-Sensitivity of Agricultural Development Interventions in the Eastern Gangetic Plains: Challenges and Options

This background paper aims first is to outline the rationale and merits for enhancing the nutrition-sensitivity of agricultural interventions in general, highlighting recognised pathways which link agro-food systems to nutrition. The second is to apply a nutrition lens to the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) region identifying themes that may serve as entry points for injecting nutrition considerations into regional food security program development. The remainder of this paper is progressed through a background section that considers the emergence of the nutrition sensitive agriculture policy space, the porous evidence base of impact and definitional considerations for further research. The body of the paper summarises the prevalence and burden of malnutrition across the EGP and considers pathways for linking food systems to enhance nutrition outcomes in the region.