Biofortification in Regional Agriculture and Nutrition Policies

FARA is organizing a side event entitled ‘Embracing biofortification in national and regional agriculture and nutrition policies and strategies, during the Commemoration of 7^th African Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADNFS). This side event falls within the Sub-theme 4 of the ADNFS i.e. harnessing partnerships for improved child nutrition (through Knowledge support systems, nutrition sensitive food systems, and public Private Partnerships).

The purpose of the side event is to: 1) raise awareness about the Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) project; 2)engage policy makers and other stakeholders; and 3) discuss how best to mainstream biofortication in regional agricultural and nutrition policies, strategies and investment plans. The expected outputs are: 1) increased awareness on the BNFB project and its potential impact on reducing hidden hunger; 2) better insight into how best to mainstream biofortification in agriculture and nutrition policies; and 3) initial commitments by national and regional actors on how they plan to embrace biofortified crops in their respective policy documents.

The meeting will consist of the following activities: 1)the first session will commence with self-introduction of participants and an opening speech by Executive Director of FARA or his representative and the Convener; 2)a keynote presentation on Biofortication research and the use of biofortified crops in Africa will be presented followed by questions and answers; 3) panel discussion on ‘mainstreaming biofortification in agriculture and nutrition policies: Opportunities and challenges’ followed by questions and answers; 4) discussion on which stakeholders to engage in the platform and which activities to implement in the next few weeks; and 5) an exhibition of BNFB and relevant FARA materials.