Agroecology to address urban nutritional needs

This study focuses on food system dimensions beyond the farm, including marketing, distribution and consumption in urban and peri-urban areas. We thus focus on aspects of agroecology transitions such as food governance, addressing social inequities in food systems, and building connectivity between farmers and consumers. We use Senegal as a case study due to the prevalence of both malnutrition, and due to the presence of a dynamic network of local civil society-led projects in support of agroecology. The focus is specifically on low-income women of reproductive age in urban areas.

Research Questions

Overall research question: what agroecological food system interventions could be implemented to address multiple forms of malnutrition? Subquestions: 1) How do the main marketing circuits of locally-produced agroecological fruits & vegetables work? 2) What are the factors influencing the consumption of agroecological fruit and vegetables? 3) What are the potential impact pathways of interventions supporting agroecology on nutrition?

Research Methods and Team

Research Methods: Exploratory case study with mixed methods: observation, interviews, focus groups and a survey. Four market initiatives were selected for our focus of study . Semi-structured interviews were carried out with farmers, traders, market vendors, development partners and consumers. Three focus groups with consumers in the sites were held with women of reproductive age. A structured survey was carried out with 180 consumers in 5 market sites. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was done to identify key themes and patterns.

Research Team:

Arlène Alpha (CIRAD), Ninon Sirdey (CIRAD), Moustapha Seye Université Cheikh Anta Diop De Dakar (UCAD). Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire-Cheikh Anta Diop (IFAN-CAD) Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Transformations Economiques et Sociales (LARTES) and Rachel Bezner Kerr (CORNELL UNIVERSITY)

Funding for this project generously provided by the Nutrition Research Facility of the European Commission.