Project

Value chain innovations: agriculture to nutrition

The project urban food systems for healthier consumption in Nigeria builds insight into the food choice determinants for vegetables that may underpin a move towards healthier diets (i.e. diets that move towards recommended intake and balanced meals ) in the context of an ongoing nutrition transition. It also investigate to what extent the physical food environment provides sufficient and stable support for vegetables intake and healthy eating behaviour of buyers, e.g. in the form of year-round availability of nutritious and safe products at affordable prices from reliable value chains and logistical arrangements for (fresh, dried or otherwise conserved) vegetables.

This study will focus on increasing the availability of nutritious vegetables for consumers in big cities in Nigeria by reducing the post-harvest losses occurring in the supply chain. More specific, the aim of the study is to identify, implement, and evaluate the most promising interventions for reduction of post-harvest losses in the vegetable chain from areas of production to the consumers in the big cities (i.e. Lagos and Ibadan) in Nigeria and focus are the spot markets. From the value chain studies and household data it is known that tomatoes, pepper and onions are the main consumed vegetables.

Phases

Inception (January April 2017)

In the inception phase, the study scope is defined concerning the type of vegetables, type of consumer outlets, value chain actors, supply chain organisations, regions, the definition of post-harvest losses, etc. Results of the household survey conducted in 2016 among 1200 households to measure urban vegetable consumer behaviour and preferences are included.

Design (April July 2017)

In the diagnostics phase, the most promising interventions are identified. Following a value chain mapping and analysis, literature study,  an agent-based model of the supply chain actors will be developed simulate ? potential technical interventions and behavioural changes to reduce food losses. If necessary, experiments and games will be conducted in the field to gather input data for the model. Based on model outcomes, the most promising intervention(s) will be selected. Where possible, we will link to intervention(s) implemented by other programs or organisations (like retail, government, private sector, PPP, NGOs etc. links will be established with existing initiatives (e.g. GAIN NL).

Implementation intervention (start December 2017)

In the intervention phase, the most promising intervention(s) will be implemented in the vegetable value chain in Nigeria.

Monitoring & Evaluation (August December 2017 & 2018)

In the impact analysis phase, we will measure and assess the outputs, outcomes, and impacts of the implemented intervention(s). Therefore, relevant indicators will be defined. These will be measured in a baseline and an impact measurement after implementation. Comparison group / counterfactual or counterfactual thinking/creating is desired and incorporated where possible. If this impact measurement is done relatively soon after implementation of the intervention(s), the question is which the outputs, and especially outcomes and effects of the intervention(s) will already be visible. Therefore, continuation of the study beyond 2017 is preferable. This would also allow for sufficient time to identify and implement promising intervention(s).

Other parties (e.g. GAIN (PLAN, Herbert Smorenburg, FBR)

Publications