Seminar 'How can we make food value chains more nutrition sensitive?'

Value chains can be a useful analytical frame to consider how markets can improve diets and dietary intake. Using a value chain framework we are able to consider the entire food chain- from primary producers to the consumer considering various institutions which impact the value chain.

In order to achieve improved nutritional intake, food must meet five conditions, food must:

1. meet safety standards containing a constant level of nutrients throughout the value chain
2. reach the most vulnerable segments of society at risk of malnutrition (pregnant and lactating women and children under two), be consumed in adequate quantities and must be properly absorbed by the body
3. be accessible to the poor
4. be adapted to local consumers in terms of taste, texture, preparation time and, finally
5. be affordable.

Although the conditions to improving nutrient intakes for are well established, meeting those conditions presents a number of key challenges for business and private sector actors working along the value chain. Within this complex space, how can we improve intake as a part of an overall comprehensive strategy to improve overall health and well-being?

This seminar provides an opportunity for participants of the Market Access for Food Security (MAfFS) course, students from Wageningen University & Research, stakeholders from government, civil society and businesses to (re)consider nutrition throughout the value chain and try to apply value chain concepts to real-world case studies as well as discuss how economics models can help to address these challenges.