2017/Zimbabwe/World Vision
NutritionWorks conducted a case study as a learning exercise for World Vision, partners and a wider audience of practitioners, researchers and decision-makers. It shows that there are many opportunities and challenges to design, implement and assess multi-sector programmes for nutrition. Establishing clear objectives, a theory of change and a monitoring framework involving not only programme stakeholders but communities, government and the private sector are important. Multi-sector programmes are challenging due to their traditionally separate sectors. A good approach is to coordinate at all levels, understand the context, assess assumptions, agree objectives, be participative, harmonise training materials and give attention to any unintended consequences. A fully mainstreamed gender component is essential to optimise the pathways from agriculture to nutrition. Targeting farmers with the greatest capacity for increasing agricultural productivity could exclude the poorest and most vulnerable, making nutrition objectives elusive. A practical guide to implement and assess multi-sector programmes for nutrition under the real constraints experienced by the implementers is needed and further case studies would help achieve this.