By Monroe Dikiny, Joel Onyango, Priscila Njue & Maureen Kabasa

Introduction

Malnutrition and undernutrition continue to be an enormous global challenge despite several political and financing interventions. A survey conducted in the year 2023 revealed that, in 59 food-crisis countries, 281.6 million people experienced high levels of acute food insecurity resulting from decreased access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food (FSIN and Global Network against Food Crises, 2024).

Extreme climate variability has been highlighted as the primary cause of increased food security and malnutrition; other drivers have been conflict, slowdowns, and downturns. The agricultural sector is essential for reducing malnutrition and enhancing household food security. Furthermore, many, particularly the poor, rely on agriculture for income and employment. Consequently, when the sector struggles, the risk of increased poverty and malnutrition rises due to diminished income and the inability to afford a healthy diet.

Traditional agricultural practices are inadequate for addressing the challenges of climate change and are often linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques have recently been introduced to enhance agricultural development's resilience to climate change (Zougmoré et al., 2021).  Conservation agriculture, weather index-based insurance, crop breeding, diversification, and improved water management practices are some new technologies included in the CSA scope. CSA frameworks have also been developed to link global, national, and local agricultural stakeholders by enhancing the synergy between mitigation and cross-scale adaptability (Zhao et al., 2023). It is therefore essential to note that CSA offers triple benefits that can continuously enhance adaptability to climate change, increase capacity and income, and limit and eradicate greenhouse gas emissions. This fosters the achievement of sustainable development goals(SGDs), enhances national food security, and provides strategies to address the challenges of global agricultural development.

This blog aims to highlight the importance of integrating Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) within the One Health framework to enhance food security, nutrition, and overall health outcomes in the face of climate change. Drawing insights from the ACTS Pathways Academy webinar and a review of relevant literature, the discussion emphasizes how innovative practices like biofortification, climate-resilient crop production, and integrated pest management can address the multifaceted challenges of malnutrition and environmental degradation. Targeted at policymakers, agricultural practitioners, and health professionals, this blog seeks to promote collaborative actions that leverage sustainable agricultural practices to improve the well-being of communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Key Highlights

Below are some of the key discussions highlighted from the APA webinar session on Climate

Adopting a Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA)

One increasingly advocated strategy to combat rising malnutrition levels is the promotion of nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA). Given the critical role that agriculture can play in the shift towards sustainable food systems and healthy diets, nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) is considered a practical approach, especially in remote rural areas where market access to nutrient-rich food is limited (Sharma et al., 2021). NSA has been characterized as an inter-sectoral, multi-level food-based system approach meant to maximize agriculture's contribution to improved food security and nutrition (NSA project, 2017). According to Jaenicke and Virchow (2013), NSA aims to “narrow the gap between available and accessible food and the food needed for a healthy and balanced diet for all people.” In a nutshell, NSA supports a preventive approach to nutrition insecurity that benefits the entire household/community instead of a therapeutic approach at a personal level. In NSA, agriculture is the primary delivery approach. However, other sectors, such as natural resource management, social protection, education, health, and environmental management, are included to address the association among the undernutrition determinants (Ruel et al., 2018).

Biofortification involves breeding staple crops to increase essential micronutrients, offering a viable and cost-effective solution to vitamin A, iron, and zinc deficiencies. In Mozambique and Uganda, studies on orange-fleshed sweet potato (OSP) demonstrated significant improvements in vitamin A intake among mothers and young children and improved child vitamin A status in Uganda (de Brauw, 2019). Recent research has further specified these findings. One study highlighted that greater farmer participation correlated with improved children's vitamin A intake and dietary diversity (de Brauw et al., 2015a). Another paper indicated that maternal knowledge of nutritional messages slightly influenced the adoption of biofortified OSP and vitamin A intake (de Brauw et al., 2015b). Furthermore, biofortification programmes significantly reduced the prevalence and duration of diarrhea in children under five, with notable declines of 11.4% points for those under five and 18.9% points for those under three (Jones and de Brauw, 2015), emphasizing the role of vitamin A in boosting immunity. Similar effectiveness studies are ongoing for other biofortified crops, including iron-biofortified beans in Guatemala and iron-biofortified pearl millet in India (Gangashetty, 2016)

Adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture to Promote Nutrition Security

Diversified crop production, climate-resilient food systems, and sustainable livestock systems are some CSA practices that can ensure NSA. Integrating drought-resistant, orphaned crops (noted to be rich in nutrients) and other nutritious foods will ensure that the food system is resilient and enhance the consumption of essential nutrients, thus improving nutrition (Ruel et al., 2018). The employment of sustainable livestock practices encompassing improved breeding, feeding, and animal health management is essential in farming systems to ensure that beneficial nutrients like zinc and iron are attained. Thus, CSA will ascertain quality animal products while reducing negative environmental impacts. Adopting climate-resilient food systems like climate forecasting systems is significant in ensuring consistent production of nutrient-rich food in the face of adverse climate changes (Sharma et al., 2021).

A review of CSA implementation in Africa indicates that many countries endorse it to improve agricultural productivity; however, most lack a national Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSAIP) (Barasa et al., 2021). Therefore, scaling up successful CSA practices and integrating them into national and international policies is essential to advance global nutrition security. This requires strong collaboration between governments and international organizations to raise awareness among farmers and provide the resources needed to implement CSA practices. Additionally, more multidisciplinary research is necessary to develop new crop varieties and improve CSA technologies.

A cross-sectional survey in Ethiopia involved a multi-stage sample of 424 smallholder farmers from five diverse agroecosystems. To evaluate food and nutrition security among these households, the food consumption score (FCS) and the modified household dietary diversity score (HDDS) were utilized through propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) models. The PSM analysis revealed that practices such as crop residue management, compost application, and agroforestry significantly enhanced food and nutrition security by 21.3%, 13.6%, and 16.6%, respectively. Conversely, using soil and water conservation (SWC) methods was linked to a 12.9% decrease in food security among those who adopted it. However, the ESR findings indicated that overall improvements in food and nutrition security were observed due to adopting crop residue management, compost, SWC, and agroforestry practices (Teklu, 2024).

Integrating CSA into the One Health Approach for Sustainable Health

The One Health Approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Its core principle promotes equity among the various sectors and disciplines involved. This approach emphasizes transdisciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration to address challenges that hinder sustainable health for people, animals, and ecosystems. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) enhances this framework in several ways: first, practices like agroforestry and crop diversification foster biodiversity, supporting a variety of species, including natural pest control agents and pollinators. Second, CSA encourages organic farming methods such as crop rotation and composting, significantly reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This minimizes water and soil pollution and decreases harmful residues in the food chain (Tepa-Yotto et al., 2024). Finally, effective water management strategies like drip irrigation and cultivating drought-resistant crops conserve water, ensuring its availability for domestic and agricultural needs. Well-protected water resources also lower the risk of waterborne diseases, adversely affecting human and animal health (Sekabira et al., 2023).

An innovative climate-smart CS-OH framework, a climate-smart integrated pest management (CS-IPM) approach, has been introduced in Ghana. CS-IPM addresses the intricate links between climate change, agricultural practices, and pest outbreaks, aiming to enhance pest management while minimizing negative environmental and health impacts. A key feature of CS-IPM is the Early Warning and Rapid Response System for Pests and Diseases (EWRRS-PD), which monitors and predicts pest and disease threats related to climate change. Utilizing data from various sources, the EWRRS-PD delivers timely information to farmers and stakeholders and activates rapid response strategies when threats are identified. This system strengthens the resilience of agriculture by reducing crop and livestock losses, easing economic pressures on farmers, and improving food security. Additionally, by incorporating climate data into its forecasts, the EWRRS-PD helps farmers make informed decisions anticipating climate-related challenges.

Call for a Collaborative Action

To fully harness the benefits of CSA, it is crucial to encourage transdisciplinary collaboration across critical sectors such as public health, agriculture, and environmental science. This collaborative approach ensures that the complex interdependencies between these sectors are addressed holistically, leading to more comprehensive and sustainable outcomes.

Policymakers must prioritize research and development in CSA to advance equitable health outcomes for people, animals, and the environment. By investing in innovative solutions and evidence-based practices, governments and institutions can address the unique challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that marginalized communities also benefit from improved agricultural practices and enhanced nutrition.

In addition, the active involvement of local communities and beneficiaries in implementing CSA is essential. Engaging them in decision-making fosters ownership and accountability and ensures the interventions are contextually relevant, sustainable, and resilient to future climate shocks. This inclusive approach guarantees that the practices adopted contribute to a healthier and more resilient future for all stakeholders.

Conclusion

The Africa Centre for Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) project in Kenya, led by the African Centre for Technology Studies, is pivotal in promoting nutrition and the One Health approach by reducing food waste and improving food quality. Through sustainable cooling technologies, the project prevents post-harvest losses, particularly in perishable, nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy, ensuring they remain available and safe for consumption in rural and underserved areas. This directly enhances food security and promotes better nutrition by making healthier food options more accessible.

Moreover, using low-carbon cooling systems, ACES addresses the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—critical elements of the One Health framework. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from traditional cooling systems contributes to healthier ecosystems while improving the supply of nutritious food and strengthening public health and agricultural livelihoods.

By empowering rural farmers with climate-smart solutions, ACES enhances their capacity to contribute to sustainable development while promoting healthier diets and addressing environmental challenges. This holistic approach aligns with global efforts to build resilient food systems and promote well-being.

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References

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• de Brauw, A., Eozenou, P., Gilligan, D., Hotz, C., Kumar, N., & Meenakshi, J. V. (2019). Biofortification, Crop Adoption, and Health Information: Impact Pathways in Mozambique and Uganda. Gates Open Res, 3(310), 310.
• FSIN and Global Network Against Food Crises. (2024). Global report on food crises (GRFC) 2024. https://www.fsinplatform.org/report/global-report-food-crises-2024/
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• https://www.acts-net.org/research/projects