Food and nutrition security of agricultural households - Vakinankaratra Region

CONTEXT

The Vakinankaratra Region is an important production area. Agricultural yields are high compared to other regions of Madagascar. 

Paradoxically, the prevalence of chronic malnutrition, especially in rural households, is among the highest on the island. This is due to a lack of knowledge about nutritious food and age-appropriate recipes, and low-paying marketing channels that leave little food availability and diversity for household consumption.  

Moreover, agricultural practices that ensure good yields are an important factor in the degradation of natural resources, making future production uncertain. Commercialized productions are poorly valued due to a lack of knowledge in storage, conservation, or small local processing techniques. These factors combined constitute a vicious circle that increases the vulnerability of households and reduces their productive investment capacity to consider a sustainable exit from precariousness. 

It is in this context that Agrisud and its partners started this project also called “SANUVA” in November 2021. 

OBJECTIVES AND SOLUTIONS PROVIDED

Ensuring food and nutrition security for agricultural households.  

More specifically: 

• Increasing and diversifying agricultural production in a sustainable way through agroecological intensification 
• Improving the value of productions and the operation of commercial channels 
• Sustainably improving the nutrition of vulnerable families by using products from the farms 

RESULTS

• 7,980 vulnerable families supported in the development of their agricultural activities 
• 16 professional farmers’ organizations strengthened 
• 2,280 volunteer mothers with malnourished children assisted to improve their nutritional situation 

KEY PROJECT INFORMATION