Title
Avian Influenza

Description
Since its re-emergence, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has attracted considerable public and media attention. While there is fear that the virus may mutate into a strain capable of sustained human-to-human transmission, the greatest impact to date has been on the highly diverse poultry industries in affected countries. In response to this, HPAI control measures have so far focused on implementing prevention and eradication measures in poultry populations, with more than 175 million birds culled in Southeast Asia alone. Significantly less emphasis has been placed on assessing the efficacy of risk reduction measures, including their effects on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and their families. In response to this, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) is funding a multidisciplinary HPAI research project for Southeast Asia and Africa to improve local and global capacity for evidence-based decision making on the control of HPAI (and other diseases with epidemic potential). IFPRI joins a research consortium on this project that includes the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Royal Veterinary College in London, and the Rural Development Research Consortium, University of California. The specific purpose of the project is to aid decision makers in developing evidence-based, pro-poor HPAI control measures at national and international levels. IFPRI is involved in all five of the work packages of the project: disease risk; livelihood impact; institutional mechanisms; risk communication; and synthesis analysis.
more ...

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Research Program

Keywords
avian influenza capacit building policy

Countries
Southeast Asia Africa

Contact
Clare Narrod

E-mail
C.Narrod@cgiar.org


Title
Diet Quality and Diet Changes of the Poor

Description
Deficiencies of essential micronutrients are now recognized as the most widespread nutritional problem facing the world today. The IFPRI program on this global health issue includes research focused on small-holder agriculture and nutrition through homestead food production (HFP) programming. IFPRI is collaborating with Helen Keller International (HKI) to develop and enhance the HFP program to improve intervention delivery and utilization channels and increase nutrition impacts for vulnerable groups. Currently, the HFP program supports home gardens, small animal husbandry enterprises, and nutrition education. It aims to reduce poverty, empower women, and improve household access to micronutrient-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, and eggs. IFPRI and HKI will conduct operations research and apply program theory to improve these program components. Two approaches will be assessed: 1) the current nutrition education package will be completely revamped and will use state-of-the-art behavior change communications (BCC) tools, locally adapted education materials, and staff trained in adult education techniques to promote optimal maternal and child care, feeding and preventive health practices, focusing on the -9 to 24 months critical period; and 2) the model will include a systematic approach to forge linkages between participating households, surrounding community groups and existing health care services to ensure greater access to (and coverage of) preventive health and nutrition services.

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Research Program

Keywords
mironutrient nutrition malnutrition livestock diet capacity building

Contact
Lora Iannotti

E-mail
l.iannotti@cgiar.org


Title
Agriculture and Health Linkages: Towards Improved Co-ordination

Description
The roundtable workshop was held at IFPRI Washington DC on June 23-24, 2005. The objective of the workshop was to move towards improved co-ordination on health-related work within the CGIAR, in partnership with the health sector.

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Outreach and Events

Keywords
nutrition malaria HIV/AIDS malnutrition aflatoxin mycotoxin zoonosis zoonotic

Start date
June 23, 2005

End date
June 24, 2005


Title
Understanding the Links between Agriculture and Health

Description
The 2020 Panel Discussion was held on May 15, 2006 at IFPRI, Washington DC. The objective was to discuss how linkages between agriculture and health work, where the opportunities for joint action lie, what the impediments are that need to be overcome, and how to strengthen synergies between agriculture and health and promote closer coordination.
more ...

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Outreach and Events

Keywords
nutrition malaria HIV/AIDS zoonotic zoonosis malnutriton micronutrient mycotoxin aflatoxin

Start date
May 15, 2006


Title
Forging Links between Agriculture and Health: Setting Strategies and Priorities for Joint International Research on Agriculture and Health

Description
This meeting was held June 25, 2007 in Geneva, Switzerland at WHO in Geneva. The main objective was to identify priorities for research by exploring the opportunities and synergies in key research areas at the intersection of health and agriculture.
more ...

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Outreach and Events

Keywords
HIV/AIDS avian influenza diet malnutrition food safety waterborne disease nutrition

Start date
June 25, 2007


Title
Harvest Plus Challenge Program

Description
Billions of people in developing countries suffer from micronutrient malnutrition, also known as "hidden hunger," that is caused by lack of sufficient micronutrients (such as vitamin A, zinc, and iron) in the diet. Micronutrient deficiencies can impair cognitive development, lower resistance to disease in children and adults, and increases risks for both mothers and infants during childbirth. The costs of these deficiencies in terms of lives lost and reduced quality of life are staggering. Diets deficient in micronutrients are characterized by high intakes of staple food crops (such as maize, and rice), but low consumption of micronutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and animal products. HarvestPlus seeks to reduce micronutrient malnutrition among the poor by breeding staple food crops that are rich in micronutrients through a process called biofortification.

HarvestPlus is a Global Challenge Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is coordinated by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
more ...

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Initiatives and Networks

Keywords
micronutrient malnutrition diet vitamin A zinc iron biofortification nutrition

Contact
Bonnie McClafferty

E-mail
b.mcclafferty@cgiar.org


Title
The Regional Network on AIDS, Livelihoods, and Food Security (RENEWAL)

Description
The majority of people affected by HIV/AIDS are dependent on agriculture and food and nutrition security are critical concerns. RENEWAL, facilitated by IFPRI, is a 'network of networks' in Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, South Africa and Kenya. It undertakes locally-prioritized research, capacity strengthening and communications on the relationships between HIV/AIDS and agriculture in Africa.
more ...

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Initiatives and Networks

Keywords
HIV/AIDS nutrition malnutrition capacity building food security livelihoods

Countries
Malawi Uganda Zambia South Africa Kenya

Contact
Stuart Gillespie

E-mail
s.gillespie@cgiar.org


Title
Food and Water Safety

Description
Food and water safety concerns directly affect the wellbeing of the poor both as food producers and consumers. Consumption of unsafe water continues to be one of the major causes of preventable death and disease, with an estimated 2.2 million deaths each year from diarrhea alone, mostly children. IFPRI's research program on this topic focuses on the cost to smallholders of complying with increased food safety requirements, public-private partnerships to ensure the delivery of safe food; understanding the source and the socio-economic impact of foodborne disease and plant and animal diseases, identifying cost-effective control strategies for minimizing these diseases, and designing decision tools to aid policy makers, and the relationship between water quality and food security and how this relationship can be influenced, through policies, technologies, and investments, to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and improve rural livelihoods.
more ...

CGIAR center
IFPRI

Category
Research Program

Keywords
foodborne disease zoonotic water food safety zoonosis

Contact
Clare Narrod

E-mail
c.narrod@cgiar.org