Despite improvements in some public health indicators related to nutrition, Kenya remains among the hotspot countries on malnutrition, with rural households being the worst impacted. Evidence based nutrition practices and choices on diets are important for public health. As most Kenyan smallholder farming households rely largely on self-production to secure food, nutrition and incomes, the methods of and diversity in food production, consumption patterns, practices and decisions are considered pivotal in achieving decent family nutrition. In the search for sustainable food production strategies, organic agriculture is increasingly gaining recognition among smallholders in Kenya for various reasons, but this shift from conventional production and the potential impacts on household diets, nutrition adequacy and choices as well as potential health implications is little understood in this context.
With a special focus on women, the Nutridecisions project uses qualitative and quantitative Dietary Assessment Approaches to assess and document any differences/similarities in nutritional diversity, nutrient sources and nutrient consumption by organic and conventional farming households in Kenya. It explores key factors driving the nutrition-related patterns, decisions and practices among the households during the plentiful and lean food seasons. It also determines existing knowledge and knowledge needs among the identified households. The results will help to provide guidance and recommendations to potential future nutrition improvements and programmes, and public awareness initiatives in the selected areas.
Project goal
Nutridecisions aims to contribute to the goal of improved nutrition and curbing public health problems among smallholder farming households in Kenya by generating sound empirical data for better informed choices and policies.
Specific objectives
Approach:
The project will work with organic and conventional farmers where the ProEcoAfrica and OFSA research projects on Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability have been implemented in Kenya since 2013. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be applied to answer the project’s research questions. The findings will be shared widely through scientific and non-scientific channels while also contributing to the development of awareness and policy materials.
