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Briefing Paper:

Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Development

Case studies of Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar

and Timor-Leste

Gianna Bonis-Profumo

Specialist advisory team:

Robyn Alders (Faculty of Veterinary Science) Bill Pritchard (Geography, Faculty of Science)

Michael Dibley (School of Public Health) Yayoi Fujita Lagerqvist (Geography, Faculty of Science)

David Guest (Faculty of Agriculture and Environment) Jeffrey Neilson (Geography, Faculty of Science)

Myat Pan Hhome (School of Public Health)

August 2014

Briefing Paper - Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Development. Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Timor-Leste

Gianna Bonis-Profumo 2



Table of Contents

Introduction

Summary

Livelihoods approach

Malnutrition and its consequences

Nutrition-sensitive development

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture

Links between agriculture and nutrition

Pathways and guiding principles

Policy implementation recommendations

Indonesia - Country analysis

Lao PDR - Country analysis

Myanmar - Country analysis

Timor-Leste - Country analysis

Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge the supervisors of my Masters research-based internship, Professor Bill Pritchard and Professor Robyn Alders from the University of Sydney. Their guidance, advice and support have been essential to undertake this briefing paper on nutrition-sensitive agricultural development. Lengthy conversations with Bill Pritchard have allowed me to frame and focus the nutrition-sensitive approach while learning about the food security context in Myanmar. Robyn Alders has guided me to consider important perspectives on institutional dynamics and the role of livestock in nutrition for development, as well as to better understand the food security and nutrition circumstances in Timor-Leste. I am thankful for their time an invaluable views. To that regard, I would also like to express my gratitude to Jeffrey Neilson and Yayoi Fujita who kindly provided me with insights on Indonesia and Lao PDR respectively. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Jacqui Clark, who facilitated the internship process. The research and production of this briefing paper has been a very stimulating endeavour, challenging at times, but extremely rewarding. I am grateful to everyone who has helped me along this important journey to try to elucidate approaches to ensure food and nutrition security for the rural poor.



Introduction This briefing paper explores the relationship between nutrition-sensitive policies and agricultural development, and is informed by the livelihoods approach, malnutrition dynamics and governance concerns. It reviews four countries in Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Timor-Leste - to illustrate the connections between agriculture, food security and nutrition. These case studies also map the policy environment, coordinating mechanisms and key stakeholders for each country in order to provide background information for future research on nutrition-sensitive development and cross-sectoral collaborations.

Summary Nutrition-sensitive agricultural development aims to achieve nutrition outcomes through agricultural development interventions, an approach that requires multisectoral collaboration and is supported by global initiatives such as the Scaling Up Nutrition movement. By enhancing the nutrition sensitivity of agricultural and livestock programmes, the intention is to reduce child and maternal malnutrition of rural populations in developing countries, whose livelihoods are generally based on agriculture and who suffer the highest levels of poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity. Evidence from the Lancet series 2008 and 2013 highlights the cruciality to address the nutrition status of women and children, particularly during the 1,000 days of opportunity, in order to insure a healthy, vibrant and productive population. Nutrition-sensitive interventions focus on addressing the underlying determinants of nutrition through other sectors, such as agriculture, in a targeted and cross-sectoral manner. The nutrition sensitivity of agriculture development requires further research as its effectiveness remains inconclusive due to poor evaluation design, indicating a strong need for research with explicit nutrition objectives and indicators. However, clear pathways and guiding principles have been identified to articulate the links between agriculture and nutritional outcomes, most of which emphasise the crucial role of women as key mediators of family health. To sustainably accelerate the reduction of undernutrition through a nutrition-sensitive approach, aligned national policy frameworks and multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms across ministries are vital, for which effective leadership and enabling environments are required.

Key considerations across all case studies

● Rural populations experience highest levels of poverty, food insecurity and undernutrition ● Most rural livelihoods depend on agriculture, despite increasing diversification ● Recurrent natural disasters impact on food and nutrition security ● Animal source foods play a key role in devising strategies to improve nutrient-dense diets sustainably ● Socio-cultural factors affect inadequate feeding practices, and gender inequality is persistent ● Nutrition is increasingly present within the political agenda ● Recent national policies reflect a nutrition-sensitive approach - aligned with SUN / UNICEF frameworks ● Bridging national policies with local implementation and decentralisation efforts is a challenge ● Inter-ministerial coordinating mechanisms are developing with strong multilateral presence ● MDGs achievement favours government attention and resources towards food and nutrition security ● Collaboration with ACIAR projects has the potential to yield synergistic outcomes



Opportunities Indonesia

● Strengthen decentralisation efforts to implement food security and nutrition policies ● Draw on strong SUN Movement presence and embracement of nutrition-sensitive approach ● Collaborate with Food Security Councils to promote nutrition sensitivity at sub-national levels ● Favor livelihood strategies that generate income and enhance nutrition through livestock systems ● Potential research topics

○ effects of changes in rural livelihoods to food and nutrition security ○ correlation between engagement in food production and food insecurity ○ factors influencing breastfeeding patterns and complementary feeding practices

Lao PDR

● Support the establishment of the Inter-sectoral coordination mechanism and National Nutrition Centre ● Develop strategies to increase food production and access for remote populations ● Draw on the highly diverse diets to promote protein-rich foods and ensure wild foods sustainability ● Explore the role of poultry for nutrition outcomes, poverty reduction and livelihood strategies ● Potential research topics

○ effects of declining natural resources to rural livelihoods and food security ○ livelihoods strategies to support nutrition outcomes of ethnic minorities ○ factors affecting undernourishment increases when transitioning to complementary foods

Myanmar

● Strengthen the government’s capacity to harmonise food and nutrition policies, and across levels ● Identify strategies to enhance the food and nutrition security of specific vulnerable regions/states ● Support the diversification of diets, particularly in terms of vegetables and protein intake ● Reinforce production of animal-source foods for enhanced nutrition at the household level ● Potential research topics

○ effects of changes in livelihoods and land access / ownership to food and nutrition security ○ correlation between indebtedness and lean season shortages, and alternative coping strategies ○ factors influencing undernourishment upsurges during the complementary feeding period

Timor-Leste

● Support the Inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms within the KONSSANTIL structure ● Draw on the government's eagerness to address malnutrition and a conducive policy environment ● Identify effective and sustainable cross-sectoral strategies to support child and maternal nutrition ● Consider integrated crop and livestock smallholder systems to strengthen livelihoods for better nutrition ● Potential research topics

○ determinants of post-harvest losses and potential strategies to mitigate them ○ assess nutrition and livelihoods outcomes of improved varieties from the Seeds for Life project ○ factors affecting diet adequacy differentials between children and adults within households



1. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural development

The Briefing Paper starts by summarising the link between rural livelihoods and agricultural development. Then, it reviews the consequences and levels of undernutrition; followed by defining nutrition-sensitive development interventions. Then, it elaborates on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, identifying the links between agriculture and nutrition, identified pathways and design principles; followed by a review on institutional considerations for coordinated action. Finally, a country profile highlighting key food and nutrition security issues, institutional framework, relevant programs and links to DFAT priorities is developed for each case study.

Livelihoods approach A livelihood is articulated through the capabilities, comprised of assets - material and social - and activities used as a means of living by a household. When a household’s livelihood is able to cope with and recover from shocks and stresses, whilst maintaining or improving its productive asset base and capabilities, it is secure5. For this security to be sustainable, the household livelihood needs to be able provide for future generations. Rural populations of Southeast Asia are mostly affected by poverty and low nutrition status. Livelihoods of the majority of rural populations depend on subsistence farming, with little but increasing alternative opportunities for income generating activities. Seasonal shortages particularly impact the capabilities of small farmers to sustain an adequate diet, affecting their level of food security and further entrenching their disadvantage. Agricultural development is key for rural populations’ prosperity especially if targeted to improve nutritional outcomes, which can in turn improve agricultural productivity and has the potential to simultaneously enhance gender equity, ecological sustainability and serve emerging markets avid of nutritious foods10. These win-win situations must be pursued whilst ensuring women’s participation and empowerment as they are the main household carers, whose actions most impact on children’s health. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural development can support household’s livelihoods by enhancing their capabilities and productive asset base whilst ensuring the necessary nutritional requirements for rural populations to fully participate in educational and labour activities, vital for economic growth.



Malnutrition and its consequences Malnutrition affecting children from conception to two years of age impacts irreversibly in their cognitive and physical development25, 27, reducing adult income and offsprings’ health32. This “1,000 days window of opportunity” is crucial to ensure the child’s future. The Lancet Series 200826 and 201328 have provided insightful evidence of its cruciality, which combined with global initiatives like the SUN Movement25, have placed nutrition high in the development agenda. Undernutrition is the outcome of insufficient food intake and repeated infectious diseases30, it can be identified by anthropometric indicators (below) and by lacking micronutrients in poor-quality diets31:

● Stunting or low height for age - reflects chronic malnutrition and frequent infections ● Wasting or low weight for height - reflects acute malnutrition and is a predictor for child mortality ● Underweight or low weight for age - reflects elements of stunting and wasting, or a BMI <18.5 for

adults Micronutrient deficiencies include lack of Vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc, and result in long-term health consequences in childhood32. Poverty is cause and consequence of poor human development, and is linked to malnutrition in a vicious cycle. Thus, preventing maternal and child undernutrition is a key investment for the socio-economic development of a country, because investing in nutrition breaks the intergenerational cycle of poverty. This is the latest nutrition comparable data* for the countries of interest:

Stunting % children <5

Wasting % children <5

Anaemia % children <5

Anaemia Pregnant Women /

Women Reproductive Age

Developing countries* 35 27.3% 2012 8.5% 2012 52.5% 2004 39.4% 2011 - PW

Indonesia17 37.2% 2013 12.1% 2013 28.1% 2013 37.1% 2013 - PW

Laos PDR19 44.2% 2012 5.9% 2012 41% 20067 22% 20067- WRA

Myanmar18 35.1% 2009 7.9% 2009 75% 2004 71% 2003 - PW

Timor Leste189 50.2% 2013 11% 2013 62.5% 2013 38.9% 2013 - WRA

* Low and middle income group aggregate (all developing economies).

Low- and middle-income economies are those in which 2013 GNI per capita was $12,745 or less.



Nutrition-sensitive development Nutrition interventions aim to address the causes of malnutrition, both immediate -direct- and underlying -indirect-, that determine foetal and child nutrition development24.

● Nutrition-specific interventions address the immediate determinants of nutrition, particularly directed to impact the ‘window of opportunity’26, 27.

● Nutrition-sensitive interventions address the crucial underlying determinants of nutrition through

other sectors: agriculture and food security, education, social protection, sanitation, and women’s empowerment, whilst incorporating specific nutrition goals.

Direct interventions can reduce stunting by 20%2 while income growth can only solve part of the problem24, hence the need to research nutrition-sensitive interventions. Exploring their synergies and identifying effective coordinated approaches for their implementation is vital to address stunting and malnutrition. Conceptual framework of the determinants of nutrition and underlying cause9



Nutrition-sensitive agriculture

Links between agriculture and nutrition Agricultural and rural development provide a crucial opportunity for reducing malnutrition, not only because large proportions of malnourished populations live in rural areas, but also because agriculture is their main source of livelihood10. Improving nutrition outcomes of smallholder farmers will improve productivity while potentially reducing child malnutrition in a sustainable way16. Targeted agricultural and livestock programmes23 focused on improving access to high-quality and diverse diets, and enhancing poor household’s income can complement efforts to increase agricultural productivity, including staples biofortification, homestead food production24 and animal-source foods interventions6, 8, 23. For agriculture, the issues is when and how to become nutrition-sensitive to support stunting reduction16 and identify ways to implement a “nutrition lens” to improve or protect -do no harm- the nutritional status of populations21. An emphasis on measuring the nutritional impact of interventions is key, as two systematic reviews14, 15 show little impact of agricultural programs on child nutrition, partly because of lack of sound design and evaluation16,

33. Additionally, cost-effectiveness of indirect programmes is challenging to quantify24. Research gaps10, 29 and methodologies16 have been identified to strengthen the current evidence, articulated through this framework29:



Pathways and guiding principles

The pathways by which agricultural programmes can improve nutritional outcomes have been widely discussed11, 12, 16, converging on the fact that women “are key mediators in the pathways between agriculture inputs, intra-household resource allocation, and child nutrition”24. Women’s control over resources and income flows have disproportionately positive impacts on household health and nutrition34, thus stimulating rural employment schemes. However, these require careful consideration on the net effect on women’s time allocation to avoid increasing poor nutrition outcomes22. Pathways from agriculture to nutrition*:

● Pathway 1 - Agriculture as source a of food - including livestock systems ● Pathway 2 - Agriculture as source of income - how is spent on food & basic needs ● Pathway 3 - Agricultural policy and food prices ● Pathway 4 - Women’s social status and empowerment ● Pathway 5 - Women’s time and availability to manage child care ● Pathway 6 - Women’s own health and nutritional status ● Pathway 7 - Natural resource management - soil, water and biodiversity

* Adapted from Gillespie, 2013; Ruel and Alderman, 2013; and Herforth, 2013

Conceptualisation of pathways from Agriculture to Nutrition12:



The key guiding principles for nutrition-sensitive agricultural policies and programmes, aimed for sound impact assessment are10, 11:

1. Design explicit nutrition objectives and M&E impact indicators, mitigate potential harms 2. Assess context to adapt to the local causes of malnutrition 3. Target nutritionally vulnerable groups and improve equity 4. Invest in and empower women 5. Increase production, diversification and reduce post-harvest losses -including mycotoxins control- 6. Incorporate nutrition promotion and education -building on existing local knowledge, attitudes and

practices, using behavioural change communication 7. Improve processing to retain nutritional value, shelf-life, food safety 8. Expand nutrient-rich foods markets and markets access for vulnerable groups 9. Collaborate and coordinate with other sectors 10. Maintain or improve the natural resource base

See Carter and Darbas (2014)4 for an articulation of nutrition-sensitive agricultural development interventions applied to a case study in South Asia; Randolph et al. (2007)23 for important considerations on the role of livestock in human nutrition and health for poverty reduction; and de Bruyn et al. (2014)6 for family poultry for food and nutrition security. Value chains for nutrition could become a meaningful approach, yet its potential remains untapped24; whilst policies which impact nutrition through food systems have been identified22. Macro-level drivers can also make nutritional outcomes more vulnerable due to changes in climate change, energy and food prices volatility, trade, and land-use policies13, illustrating how this approach operates at the household and the larger food system levels11. Incentives for farmers to focus on nutrition outcomes are encouraged, as assuming their buy-in might be mistaken16, which could be articulated through win-wins between economic growth and nutrition incentives, including labour-saving technologies22.

Policy implementation recommendations To accelerate reductions on undernutrition, prioritising the national achievement of a few high coverage nutrition-specific interventions with proven effects on stunting reduction3, while maximising the nutrition-sensitivity of national developments13, are highly recommended. Multiple cases document the right combination of political commitment, strategic programming and resources, resulting in fast improvement in child and maternal nutrition, whilst stressing how effective leadership and locally generated solutions regarding how to organise nutrition tend to be more successful3.



Nutrition-sensitive actions must be multidisciplinary and multisectoral to be successful, facilitating collaboration among ministries and experts from different disciplines22. However, despite existing intersectoral planning policies, fruitful implementations are seldomly documented13. Barriers to effective coordinated action across ministries can be overcome with different advocacy strategies, cultivating policy champions, and making nutrition an explicit political priority1, like embedding it within electoral commitments. Nutrition governance requires enabling environments13 based on 1. knowledge and evidence - generating up-to-date data and rigorous research; 2. politics and governance - focusing on inclusive horizontal coordination mechanisms and engagement with civil society and private sector; and 3. capacity and resources - leadership and better estimation of benefit to cost ratios for nutrition-sensitive interventions. Other key considerations13 are crucial for generating change at the subnational level, including incentives for local governments -specially relevant for decentralising systems, and improving nutrition training programmes and academic curricula to improve service delivery. Finally, these are proposed methods to improve the commitment, accountability and responsiveness to undernutrition reduction9:



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2. Republic of Indonesia (Indonesia) - Country analysis

2. Country overview Independent from the Dutch since 1945, Indonesia evolved from Soeharto’s New Order authoritarian regime to the democratic Reformasi in 1998. This decentralising regional power is a vast archipelago inhabited by 247.8 millions27, fourth largest population in the world. Its size, economic development and growing middle-class makes Indonesia’s profile the most divergent among the four case studies, reflected in a national poverty line of 11.4%28. However, regional disparities are significant, partly due to transportation and infrastructure challenges. A focus on Sulawesi, composed of six provinces, and the provinces of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) located in eastern Indonesia will be given. Despite the current de-agrarianisation trend, agriculture is a political and historical priority due to large-scale food shortages in the 1960s, resulting in a strong focus on national food self-sufficiency, particularly rice, and articulated through a highly subsidised, regulated and protected system16. Rice, the main staple and cultural symbol of prosperity, corn, soybean, sugar and beef are classified as strategic foods. However, in the focus areas sago and corn are staples7. Food insecurity affected 36% of the population in 200816, with most focus provinces above the national average of 14.4% for insufficient calorie intake11 - a specific food security assessment for NTT is available7. Limited access to food is a result of poverty due to lack of stable employment4, increasingly delinked from agriculture for rural livelihoods due to urban migration and off-farm incomes19, despite 41% of households still depending on agriculture16. Natural disasters are recurrent and severe, which when combined with the “lean season” in autumn can have devastating impacts on food security4. These transitory factors are increasingly affected by climate change. Poverty and food security are highly interrelated with similar geographical distribution11, affecting mostly rural but also urban areas, with paradoxically small correlation between food security and engagement in food production, such as for Nusa Tenggara subsistence farmers’ experiencing higher food insecurity than those in Sulawesi who grow cocoa as cash crop16. Indonesia showcases the double burden of malnutrition, with simultaneously high stunting and children overweight levels, at 37.2% and 12.1% respectively10. Stunting levels are above average in all focus provinces except one, and six of them have over 40% prevalence, topped by NTT with over 50%10. Four out of the eight selected provinces are classified as highest priority due to also entailing above average insufficient nutritional intake11, reflecting inter-generational nutritional problems.



Poor households spend almost 70% of their income in food and base their diets on carbohydrate sources11, pointing at the need to balance the dietary intake in nutritional terms. Breastfeeding is very low, with 85.8% of infants fed on formula11 and only 36% of children 6-23 months consume an acceptable diet13. Also, addressing micronutrient deficiencies have been neglected for 10 years11. Socio-cultural factors affect malnourishment, including limited knowledge on how to prepare a nutritious diet, traditional beliefs and taboos around food consumption, child caring practices and reproductive health11. Ethnic diversity in the focus provinces is high, with Southeast Sulawesi inhabited by five main groups, lead by the Tolaki with 16% of the population14. Disparities in nutrition indicators are not significant among genders25. However, gender inequality and discrimination are key factors, with limited employment opportunities, inadequate pay and lack of political commitment to gender mainstreaming laws2. Female illiteracy rate was 13% in 2007, although 27% for the NTB province4. Economy growth has facilitated improvements in social welfare11, and although an OPEC founder, since 2004 Indonesia is a net oil importer16 compromising its ability keep subsiding fertilisers for agricultural development.

Nutrition indicators10 2013 Other indicators27 2012

CU5 - children under 5 Stunting

37.2%

HDI Human Development Index

108 / 187 201424

Underweight 19.6% GDP per capita $3,556

Wasting 12.1% National Poverty Line 11.4% 201328

Anaemia - 12-59 months 28.1% Rural Poverty Line 14.3% 201328

Vitamin A supplementation 75.5% Rural Population 48.6%

WRA - Women of reproductive age Insufficient calorie intake

MUAC below 23.5

24.2%

Primary sector % GDP

14.4%

Anaemia - pregnant women 37.1% GII Gender Inequality Index

103 / 187 201323

Iodine supplementation 62.3% 2007 Literacy rate female 90.1% 201126

Exclusive breastfeeding 6 months 42% 201213 Literacy rate female youth 98.8% 201126



Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in Indonesia, 20094

Vulnerability to Food Insecurity in NTB, NTT and Sulawesi, 20094



Economic growth and child undernutrition in Indonesia, 1990 - 2013

Created from World Bank, 201328; and Ministry of Health, 201310

2. National Policy Framework The decentralisation of food security policy and institutions is challenged by competing views on the scale of self-sufficiency, i.e. local vs national, while welfare programmes are addressing accessibility concerns16. Policies harmonisation requires clear integration and coordination among jurisdictional levels. Food Security Policies The Government of Indonesia (GoI) counts with 13 different laws and regulations related to food security9, under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). Among these:

● The Food Security 68/2002, framework within which local governments are expected to contribute to national food security objectives16.

● The Food Security Policy Village Food Resiliency 2006, flagship national program targeting rural communities to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition at the household level through Local Government involvement.

● The Food Law 18/2012 strongly states self-sufficiency -90% rice self-sufficient- as a political objective, based on local food availability and food sovereignty15.



National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition 2011-201511 (NAP-FN) By the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) in partnership with multiple associations and UN Agencies. It prioritises targeting mothers and children, strengthening multisectoral coordination mechanisms and achieving the MGDs goals. Accompanied by a Regional Action Plan for Food and Nutrition with the involvement of districts and municipalities; as well as a gamut of nutrition-related legislation and programmes22. It has five pillars of action involving community nutrition improvement; increasing food accessibility; increasing quality and safety control; change of community behaviour towards a clean and healthy lifestyle; and strengthening food and nutrition institutions across levels. It stratifies the provinces according to the NMTDP targets, with seven out of eight focus provinces classified as strata 3 and 4, i.e. with the highest priority.

National Medium Term Development Plan 2010-2014 (NMTDP) By Bappenas. It recognises food security as a priority whilst focusing on strengthening health and nutritional status. It states three specific targets aligned with the MDGs goals: reducing the prevalence of undernutrition and stunting among under-fives to 15.5% and 32% respectively, and to achieve sufficient calorie intake among the population.

Policy Framework SUN Movement 1,000 days, 201312 By Bappenas. It focuses on six nutrition goals specifically affecting child and maternal health outcomes: stunting, wasting, over-weight, low-weight birth and exclusive breastfeeding. It articulates the SUN Movement rationale within Indonesian legislation, while identifying nutrition-specific and sensitive-interventions and developing the coordination structure.

Rice for Poor Households programme - Raskin By Bappenas, implemented by BULOG (National Food Logistics Agency). Evolved from a Social Security Net program to alleviate the impacts of the 1997/98 financial crisis, providing a ration of rice to targeted poor households. In 2009 it fed 18.5 million households2; however there are more recipients than determined by the quota.

Coordinating Mechanisms

Agency for Food Security9 Established in 2001 by the MoA. Its mission is to strengthen food security through the implementation of strategic national food security programs and activities. It performs a coordinating role among different food security stakeholders at national and international levels. Food Security Council Created in 2006 by the MoA and under the President supervision. Coordinating institution for food security stakeholders, supporting the achievement of national and regional food security at the provinces and districts/cities levels. Composed of a National FSC, 33 provincial Food Security Councils and 497 Food Security offices in 20129.



National Movement to Accelerate Nutrition Improvement 42/201312 Launched by the President in October 2013, providing authority to the Ministry of People’s Welfare (MoPW) to oversee coordination of the SUN Movement, and identifying structures to convene multiple stakeholders and sectors at national and subnational level.

3. Multilateral agencies’ involvement There are multiple organisations working on nutrition-related issues in Indonesia. These include UN agencies - UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, ILO, FAO and WFP; international financial institutions - World Bank, Asian Development Bank; specialised agencies - ACIAR, IFAD, World Agroforestry Centre; a myriad of NGOs20 - including Save the Children, World Vision, CARE International; and philanthropic groups - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bilateral donors were lead by Japan with 918 $US millions, Australia with 527, and the United States with 229, followed by Germany and the EU as the major funders of Indonesia’s Official Development Assistance in 201218. Donor agencies involved in the SUN Platform for Development Partners include Australia, United States, World Bank and Millennium Challenge Corporation21.

Key programs READ - Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development, 2002-20148 Designed by GoI and IFAD in 2002, it promotes improvements in sustainable livelihoods of the rural poor in Central Sulawesi. Its core objective is economic growth and improved natural resource management in target villages. Key stakeholders are MoA, Bappenas and Ministry of Finance (MoF), including a partnership with the Mars Company on cacao technical support. A mid-term review in 2011 found improvements on income based on investment in key agricultural commodities, better food security and equity of women. Food and Nutrition Security Monitoring System 20096 (FNSMS) Led by the Food Security Agency, implemented by the Food Security Offices and supported by WFP, UNICEF and ILO. Started in 2009, it provides a tool for early warning and response planning. Piloted in four provinces, including NNT and Central Sulawesi, generates specific data on their food and nutrition situation. Key findings showcase a 22% prevalence of chronic food insecure households in rural areas attributed to limited food access and structural factors, with 60% of households receiving the Raskin program.

ACIAR research programs1 Counts with an extensive number of projects, many based in Eastern Indonesia. They focus on enhanced productivity and food quality, whilst developing improved market linkages for high-value products sourced from smallholder production systems. In 2014–15 ACIAR will contribute to development of the whole-of-government strategy for the Australian aid program in Indonesia.



4. Key considerations

a. Government structure and opportunities Indonesia is a presidential representative democratic republic, with a multi-party system since 1998. The GoI has placed nutrition in the core of its national policies, however the challenge remains on how to implement these through the decentralised system. For the purpose of nutrition-sensitive agricultural projects, collaboration with the MoA and MoH, and working with the National Food Security Agency and Food Security Council (structure below) as well as with provincial subsidiaries, seems appropriate.

Participating in existing national mechanisms and strengthening provincial coordination are advised, such as through Bappeda (Provincial and District Planning agencies). The MoPW leads the SUN Policy Framework through its Coordinating Structure13:



b. Legislative cycles and annual budget

In 2014 a new President was elected, Joko Widodo, for a five year term. The next elections are expected in 2019, Parliament in July and Presidential in September/October. Since 2005, heads of local government are directly elected by popular election. In 1999, a new legal framework for budgeting was established17. The budget cycle is annual and approved on late October, indicating that budget discussions should happen half way through the year. In the context to achieving the MGDs, budget allocation is continually increased, including provisions to support local governments with satisfactory MGDs’ target performance11. However, the budget plan (RAPBN) 2014 only allocates 0.53% for child and maternal health; and the MoH receives 1% less than the Ministry for Religious Affairs5.

5. Links with DFAT priorities Indonesia is an important partner and neighbour whose political stability and economic development are of strategic value to Australia. In 2013-14 Australia committed $600.1 millions and $605.4 million are estimated for 2014-153, thus becoming Indonesia’s second bilateral donor. The relationship between Australia and Indonesia is reflected in the Partnership Country Strategy 2008-2013, extended until 2014 in order to align the next strategy with the following NMTDP. A 2014-2015 programme has been released, focusing on economic development, gender equality through women’s economic empowerment, strengthening education, and disaster prevention. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural projects are committed to support economic development through a livelihoods analysis of food insecurity and by improving the population’s nutritional status to fully participate in the workforce. Improved nutrition is the base for adequate education achievements, gender equality and stability within the country. Women’s economic empowerment is one of the identified pathways in which agriculture can improve nutrition outcomes. This approach has the potential to explore tangible solutions in which rural women in Indonesia can improve gender equity while reducing poverty and ensuring income-generating opportunities. By strengthening nutrition-sensitive agricultural development, a complementary opportunity to collaborate with ACIAR’s projects centred on smallholder farmers is provided, which could yield valuable returns on Australia’s aid investment in Indonesia.



References - Indonesia [1] ACIAR. 2014. Indonesia - Country Context Viewed July 9 2014. Available from: http://aciar.gov.au/country/indonesia [2] Arif, S. et al. 2012. Gendered Risks, and Vulnerability Case Study of the Raskin Food Subsidy Program in Indonesia.

Jakarta: Lembaga Penelitian. SMERU. Available from: http://www.smeru.or.id/report/research/genderedriskpovvulnerability/genderedriskpovvulnerability2_eng.pdf

[3] DFAT. 2014. Aid in Indonesia. Viewed on 10 July 2014. Available from:

http://aid.dfat.gov.au/countries/eastasia/indonesia/Pages/home.aspx [4] DKP-DP & WFP. 2009. A Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas of Indonesia. Dewan Ketahanan Pangan - Departemen

Pertanian: Jakarta. Avilable from: http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp236710.pdf [5] Fanggidae, V. 2013. To save women’s lives, a health budget battle needed. Jakarta Post news. Viewed on July 12

2014. Available from: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/10/22/to-save-women-s-lives-a-health-budget-battle-needed.html

[6] Food Security Agency. 2009. FNSMS Bulletin, Central Sulawesi. Issue 1. Available from:

http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp210758.pdf [7] Food Security Agency, Food Security Office of NTT, FAO, UNICEF, WFP. 2010. Nutrition Security and Food Security in

Seven districts in NTT Province, Indonesia: Status, Causes and Recommendations for Response. Rome, Jakarta. Available from: http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp236825.pdf

[8] IFAD. 2013. Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development - READ. Supervision report. IFAD, Asia and the Pacific

Division. Available from: http://operations.ifad.org/documents/654016/bca9cf50-4717-45cf-832b-1a66c4345812 [9] Ministry of Agriculture. 2013. Agency for Food Security at a glance. BPK / Deptan. Available from:

http://bkp.pertanian.go.id/tinymcpuk/gambar/file/bookletbkp.pdf [10] Ministry of Health. 2013. Basic Health research / RISKESDAS. MoH/GoI. Avilable from:

http://www.depkes.go.id/article/view/MCN-20141230001/info-terkini-riskesdas-2013.html [11] Minister of National Development Planning. 2010. National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition 2011-2015. Bappenas:

Jakarta. Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/National-Food-and-Nutrition-Action-Plan.pdf

[12] Ministry of National Development Planning. 2013. Policy Framework SUN Movement 1,000 days 2013. Bappenas:

Jakarta. Available from: http://www.bappenas.go.id/files/5013/8848/0466/PEDOMAN_SUN_10_Sept_2013.pdf [13] Ministry of National Development Planning. 2014. Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) in Indonesia. Powerpoint presentation.

Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-countries/indonesia [14] Mulyoutami, E. et al. 2012. Agroforestry and Forestry in Sulawesi series: Gender, livelihoods and land in South and

Southeast Sulawesi. Working paper 158. Indonesia: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). Available from: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/publications/PDFs/WP12057.PDF

[15] Natawidjaja, R. & Rum, I. 2013. Food Security Situation and Policy in Indonesia. Powerpoint presentation, Food

Security Regional Dialogue. Available from: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/global-food/documents/food-security-situation-policy-indonesia.pdf



[16] Neilson and Arifin, 2013. Food Security and the De-Agrarianisation of the Indonesian Economy. chp 10. in Rosin, C., Stock, P., & Campbell, H. (Eds.) Food systems failure: The global food crisis and the future of agriculture. Routledge.

[17] OECD. 2009. Budgeting in Indonesia. OECD Journal on Budgeting. 2009/2. Available from:

http://www.oecd.org/indonesia/45362389.pdf [18] OECD. 2014. Top 10 Donors: Indonesia in 2012. Available from:

http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/documentupload/IDN.JPG [19] Rigg, J. 2006. Land, Farming, Livelihoods, and Poverty: Rethinking the Links in the Rural South. World Development,

34 (1), p180–202. [20] SUN Movement. 2014. Indonesia Civil Society. Viewed July 8 2014. Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-

countries/indonesia/progress-impact/bringing-people-together/civil-society [21] SUN Movement. 2014. Indonesia Donors. Viewed July 8 2014. Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-

countries/indonesia/progress-impact/bringing-people-together/donors [22] SUN Movement. 2014. Nutrition-Relevant Legislation. Viewed on July 5 2014. Available from:

http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-countries/indonesia/progress-impact/putting-policies-in-place/nutrition-specific-legislation

[23] UNDP. 2013. Gender Inequality Index. Available from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-4-gender-inequality-index [24] UNDP. 2014. Human Development Index. Available from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries [25] UNICEF. 2013. Improving child nutrition: The achievable imperative for global progress. United Nations Children's

Fund. Available from: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_68661.html [26] World Bank. 2011. World Development Indicators. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-

development-indicators. [27] World Bank. 2012. World Development Indicators. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-


development-indicators



3. Lao People’s Democratic Republic

(Lao PDR) - Country analysis

1. Country overview Lao PDR is a landlocked mountainous country influenced by regional histories, still the most bombed country per capita in the world20. A civil war ended with a socialist regime in 1975, transitioning to liberalisation from the 1990s. It is a small Least Developed Country18 of 6.6 million people25, of which 27.8% are below the poverty line23. The rural population accounts for 64.7%25, concentrated in upland areas and challenged by remoteness and difficult access to facilities and markets, with almost double the poverty rates than in urban areas23. Three factors influence the distribution of food security and malnutrition: socio-economic status, geography and ethnicity, particularly affecting rural poor populations in the North and South, from non-Lao-Tai ethnicity -32% of the population21. The agricultural sector contributed to 45% of the GDP in 201120, whilst employing 76% of the population21 with only 7% of total land under production3. Availability of arable land is constricted by unexploded ordnances (UXO) - two thirds of the country still contaminated from the Vietnam War20; dams, mines and agroforestry developments; and a rugged topography. The main crop is rice, followed by maize, vegetables and cash crops -rubber, sugarcane and coffee21. Mining, hydroelectric and agribusiness concessions bring economic opportunities, but also imperil rural livelihoods based on subsistence farming and non-timber forest products. These are also adapting to diversification in production systems, land use reforms9 and attempts to eradicate opium cultivation. A Resettlement Village Policy has had mixed impacts on nutrition in rural communities, struggling to adapt to new livelihoods in the lowlands20. Food insecurity seems less critical than malnutrition with recent declines in hunger and an acceptable food consumption for 89% of the population21 - anticipating worst during the lean season, between August and October; but rising food prices are a concern for vulnerable households21. Natural disasters are recurrent, with cyclical floods and droughts that may be exacerbated by climate change, highlighting the importance of sustainable approaches. Malnutrition is a major challenge. In 2012, stunting prevalence among children under-five was 44.2%, whereas 5.9% were wasted and 26.6% underweight11. Poverty, geography and mother’s education are key predictors of child malnutrition in Lao PDR. Micronutrient deficiencies are suspected to be elevated, with a stronger incidence in children than women of reproductive age20. With a highly ethnically diverse population, minority groups present a higher prevalence of stunting: 60.9% of the Chinese-Tibetans compared to 33.4% for Lao-Tai in 201211.



Dietary intake is highly diverse although imbalanced, as rice is dominant combined with extremely low fat, oil and protein consumption. In 2012, 11% of the population had borderline/poor food consumption21, mainly in the southeastern provinces and substantially lacking protein. Wild meat and fish are a primary source of proteins and fats for rural households, with an estimated sourcing of 32 to 45%21, which availability and access are increasingly threatened by developments and forest degradation. Socio-cultural differences in feeding patterns are reflected in 83% of rural women restricting their diets in terms of protein-rich foods during pregnancy and after giving birth, compared to 75% in urban areas6; combined with inappropriate complementary feeding practices are prevalent with 52.2% children under five years consuming a suboptimal diet21. Simultaneous action to improve dietary intake and sanitation has been identified as key to address malnutrition21. Disparities in child malnutrition indicators are not significant between genders11; with a 63% reduction in child mortality since 1990 levels11. Female literacy rates are improving for younger generations but still with a 10% differential favouring man23, and are significantly lower for minority women. Gender equality has made slow progress, with inequity being closely linked to ethnicity, poverty and geography and wider gaps2. The economy has been growing at 7-8% a year over the past decade25, based on the exploitation of abundant natural resources, particularly hydropower and mining, substantially contributing to government’s revenue26. Unregulated developments are of concern due to ecosystem degradation15.

Nutrition indicators11 2012 Other indicators25 2012


44.2 %

HDI Human Development Index

139 / 187 201416

Underweight 26.6% GDP per capita $1,413

Wasting 5.9% National Poverty Line 27.6% 200823

Anaemia 41% 20066 Rural Poverty Line 31.7% 200823

Vitamin A supplementation 59.1% Rural population 64.7%

WRA - Women of reproductive age Underweight (<18.5 BMI)

15% 20066

Primary sector % GDP 45% 201120

Anaemia 22% 20066 GII Gender Inequality Index

118 / 187 201317

Iodine deficiency 14% 20066 Literacy rate female 70% 20102

Exclusive breast feeding - 6 months 40.4% Literacy rate female youth 79% 20102



Relative Status of Food and Nutrition Security in Lao PDR, 2011-201321

Population below the poverty line in Lao PDR, 200821 Prevalence of stunting in Lao PDR, 201221



Economic growth and child undernutrition in Lao PDR, 1990 - 2013

Created from World Bank, 201327; and MoH & Lao Statistics Bureau, 201311.

2. National Policy Framework Food security has traditionally been equated to rice self-sufficiency21 by the Government of Lao PDR (GoL), it is gaining prominence within the national discourse together with nutrition reflected in various key policies. Institutional multi-sectoral mechanisms are under development.

National Nutrition Policy 2008 (NNP) National Nutrition Strategy and National Plan of Action on Nutrition 2010-2015 (NNS/NPAN)

By the Ministry of Health (MoH). Both constitute the policy framework for nutrition. The NNP provides the political direction on nutrition and establishes the engagement between governmental agencies and development partners. It aims to improve malnutrition by 2015 through clear targets to reduce the prevalence of stunting to 34%, of wasting to 4%, and of anaemia to 30% for children under-five and 25% for women of reproductive age, and further in 2020. The NNS/NPAN is articulated through immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition, whilst recognising the need for cross-sectoral coordination. It identifies interventions in 10 key areas to attain the indicators specified by the NNP, with a focus on child and maternal health. Good governance and short-term measurable impacts are defined as key to achieve these targets, through scaling-up proven and cost-effective interventions.



National Socio-Economic Development Plan, 2011-2015 (NSEDP)

By the GoL. The NSEDP is the central framework outlining the government’s development priorities, where nutrition has been mainstreamed for the first time. It highlights a focus on: poverty reduction and rural development, economic development, cultural and social development, and sustainable development, natural resource management and environmental protection. The NNP targets are included.

Strategy for Agriculture Development, 2011-2020 By the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Food security is one of the four sector priorities, and it recognises chronic malnutrition as a major problem in Lao PDR. The strategy focuses on developing the diversity and improving the quantity of foods produced. The Food Security Strategy 2001-2010 is being updated in partnership with FAO8.

Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, 2015 (RDPE)

By the GoL. An ambitious framework for poverty reduction by integrating the most remote villages and modernise the industry while considering environmental outcomes and preserving the natural resource base. However, ambiguity in land ownership challenges the appropriate management of resources and protection of rural livelihoods.

Coordinating Mechanisms National Science Council By the Prime Minister’s Office. Leading an Interim Coordination Task Force that will propose a coordinating and implementation mechanisms for the NNS/NPAN. Inter-ministerial, multi-stakeholder and sub-national levels will be encompassed; provisionally, the Round Table Process (RTP)5 serves as platform for food and nutrition security coordination.

National Nutrition Taskforce - under development By the National Science Council and MoH. Will coordinate technical aspects of the NNS/NPAN implementation. Will aim to improve the nutrition governance and management mechanisms, supported by the REACH initiative (below). However, its establishment has been ongoing since 2011 and not finalised4. The establishment of a National Nutrition Centre is planned by 2015, under the MoH and with FAO support. In 2013, MAF was discussing to create an ad-hoc Task Force on Food Security and Nutrition under the Sector Working Group Agriculture and Rural Development8.



3. Multilateral agencies’ involvement The presence of bilateral donors and international NGOs increased in the late 1980s with the country’s opening to the West9. These are coordinated through the Round Table Process5, an aid effectiveness platform with annual high level meetings chaired by the GoL and UNDP. The principal actors are UN agencies -including UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, FAO, WFP; multi-lateral agencies -World Bank, Asian Development Bank and International Monetary Fund; international NGOs -over 20 in nutrition-related programmes20 coordinated through the INGO Network10; specialised agencies -ACIAR, GAIN alliance, IFAD; and Civil Society groups13. Official Development Assistance totalled 777 US million in 2012-134, lead by Japan with 88.9, followed by Australia with 52.5 and Germany with 39.6 US million respectively12. The EU is also a key actor

Key programs

REACH initiative22 Inter-agency process led by the GoL that gathers all stakeholders to address high priority areas of food insecurity and child undernutrition through five specific evidence-based interventions with an efficacy rate of 60% (NNS/NPAN). Started in 2008 by FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, it focuses on stakeholder coordination, operationalisation of the NNS/NPAN, and resource mobilisation. Mapping of stakeholders involved in nutrition and programs was undertaken in 2009. Scaling Up Nutrition14 Lao PDR joined the SUN Movement in 2011, mainly partnering with the MoH and supporting the nutrition agenda post-2015. It is supporting the GoL to identify adequate approaches to decentralise nutrition activities to the provincial level and ensure resources mobilisation for nutrition and food security. Upland Research and Capacity Development Program8 Implemented by the MAF and funded by the EU, focuses on research to support rural poverty reduction while ensuring sustainable resource management and building capacity. It aims to strengthen the research capacity on agricultural and forestal developments by improving rural livelihoods, poverty alleviation and sustainable management in Lao’s uplands.

ACIAR research projects1 It has extensive research programs, including strengthening rice-based farming systems for food security, a livestock alternatives to shifting agriculture in the upland region, lowland farming diversification, and various forestry programs. A research intervention that complements larger donor projects is underway in the south.




a. Government structure and opportunities

Lao PDR is a unitary state, a centralised democracy according to the 1991 Constitution, with a single-party regime19. Timid approaches to decentralisation are foreseen. For the purpose of nutrition-sensitive agricultural projects, working with the MAF and the MoH seems appropriate, as well as with the National Commission for Mother and Child. The Department of International Cooperation coordinates the national sector working groups14. Collaboration should focus on strengthening the negotiation of a cross-sectoral coordinating mechanisms, and support the development of governance mechanisms to operationalisation of the NNS/NPAN from the national to village levels. Australia is a member of the High Level Round Table Meetings4. A National Nutrition Centre is planned for 2015 part of the NNS/NPAN, providing an opportunity to support and influence their development and reinforce a nutrition-sensitive approach to agricultural development in future policies.


Elections are every five years, last one in 2011, and next iteration expected in late April 2016. Despite being a single-party election, there is a small presence of independent parliamentarians19. The budgetary cycle is annual, highly reliant on foreign aid funds and a widening fiscal deficit24. The fiscal year starts in October24, suggesting that funding discussions should happen in the first half of the year. In 2011 the GoL approved a health sector reform strategy increasing its budget to 9% of the total expenditure14. The NPAN requires of $600M in total funds between 2010-2014 to implement all planned activities, for which the GoL requires major donor support.



5. Links with DFAT priorities Australia is one of the largest bilateral donors in Lao PDR with a relationship of over 60 years, whose development and prosperity are important as a regional neighbour. In 2013-14 Australia agreed $56.4 millions and $55.6 million are estimated for 2014-157. The partnership is reflected through the Australia-Laos Development Cooperation Strategy 2009-2015, committing to support the development of inclusive growth through trade integration, education infrastructure and capacity building, and rural development. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural projects are aligned with the focus on inclusive economic growth and rural development, as a healthy and well fed population will facilitate Laotians to further develop their economic growth. Optimal nutritional status and stable food security are key to achieve these goals, as they are crucial for social capital development. Enhancing rural populations’ livelihoods is the target of nutrition-sensitive agricultural development, which is aligned with one the pillars of Australia’s aid in Lao PDR. Moreover, multiple ACIAR projects in the country converge with this approach, presenting potential to yield complementary research outcomes and return on investments. Development outcomes will be attained by implementing nutrition-sensitive agricultural framework, as strengthening the rural population of Lao PDR in terms of their nutritional status will impact in their capability to engage in economic development and education achievements, priorities of Australia in Lao PDR.



References - Lao PDR [1] ACIAR. 2014. Lao PDR Annual Operational Plan. Available from: http://aciar.gov.au/files/aop2013/files/lao_pdr.pdf [2] ADB and WB. 2012. Country Gender Assessment for Lao PDR-Reducing Vulnerability and Increasing Opportunity.

Washington DC and Manila: ADB and WB. Available from: http://www.adb.org/documents/country-gender-assessment-lao-peoples-democratic-republic

[3] Agricultural Census Office 2012. Lao Census of Agriculture 2010/11 Highlights. Vientiane, Lao PDR: MAF/LSB.

Available from: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ess/ess_test_folder/World_Census_Agriculture/Country_info_2010/Reports/Reports_4/LAO_ENG_REP_2010-2011.pdf

[4] Dept. of International Cooperation. 2013. Report - 11th High Level Round Table Meeting, Nov 2013. Vientiane: Ministry

of Planning and Investment. Available from: http://www.rtm.org.la/ [5] Dept. of International Cooperation. 2014. Round Table Process. GoL. Available from: http://www.rtm.org.la/ [6] Dept. of Statistics and UNICEF 2008. Lao PDR National Maternal and Child Nutrition Survey 2006, Final Report.

Vientiane, Lao PDR: Department of Statistics, Hygiene and Prevention Department and UNICEF. Available from: http://www.childinfo.org/files/MICS3_Lao_FinalReport_2006_Eng.pdf

[7] DFAT. 2014. Aid in Laos. Viewed on 17 July 2014. Available from:

http://aid.dfat.gov.au/countries/eastasia/laos/Pages/home.aspx [8] EU. 2013. Continuation and Strengthening of the Northern Uplands Development Programme (NUDP) – Lao PDR.

Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/documents/aap/2013/af_aap_2013_lao.pdf [9] Fujita, Y. 2006. Understanding the history of change in Laos: An important premise for development efforts. Mountain

Research and Development 26, no. 3: 197-199. Available from: http://www.mtnforum.org/content/understanding-history-change-laos-important-premise-development-efforts

[10] INGO Network. 2014. About. Viewed 11 July 2014. Avaibale from: http://www.directoryofngos.org/pub/about.php [11] Ministry of Health and Lao Statistics Bureau 2013. Lao Social Indicator Survey 2011-12, Final Report. Vientiane, Lao

PDR: MoH/LSB. Available from: http://countryoffice.unfpa.org/lao/?reports=7237 [12] OECD., 2014. Top 10 Donors: Laos in 2012. Available from: http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/documentupload/LAO.JPG [13] SUN Movement. 2014. Civil Society in Lao PDR. Viewed 10 July 2014. Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-

countries/lao-pdr/9458-2/bringing-people-together/civil-society [14] SUN Movement. 2014. Lao PDR. Viewed 10 July 2014. Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-countries/lao-

pdr [15] UNDP. 2012. Country Analysis Report: Lao PDR 2012-2015. Vientiane, Lao PDR: United Nations. Available from:

http://www.la.undp.org/content/dam/laopdr/docs/Legal%20Framework/UNDP_LA_CAR_2012_2015.pdf [16] UNDP. 2014. Human Development Index. Available from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries [17] UNDP. 2013. Gender Inequality Index. Available from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-4-gender-inequality-index



[18] UNICEF. 2013. Improving child nutrition: The achievable imperative for global progress. United Nations Children's Fund. Available from: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_68661.html

[19] UNPAN. 2005. Lao PDR Public Administration country profile. Available from:

http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023237.pdf [20] WFP. 2011. WFP Lao PDR Country Strategy 2011-15. Vientiane, Lao PDR: WFP. Available from:

http://www.wfp.org/sites/default/files/WFP%20Lao%20PDR%20Country%20Strategy_ENG.pdf [21] WFP. 2013. Food and Nutrition Security Atlas of Lao PDR. Vientiane, Lao PDR: WFP. Available from:

http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/ena/wfp260762.pdf [22] WFP. 2014. Renewed Efforts Against Child Hunger - REACH. Partnership in Lao PDR. Viewed 15 July 2014. Available

from: http://www.reachpartnership.org/web/94591/knowledgesharing/laopdr [23] World Bank. 2008. World Development Indicators. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-

development-indicators. [24] World Bank. 2010. Poverty Reduction Support Credits: Lao PDR Country Study. Available from:

https://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/Data/reports/prsc_lao_cs.pdf [25] World Bank. 2012. World Development Indicators. Available from: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-

development-indicators. [26] World Bank 2012. Tightening Demand to Maintain Macroeconomic Balances. Lao PDR Economic Monitor November

2012 Update. Vientiane, Lao PDR: World Bank. Available from: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/13812





4. Republic of the Union of Myanmar

(Myanmar) - Country analysis

1. Country overview Myanmar, a former British colony and under authoritarian military rule since 1962, is transitioning towards a democracy since 2008. This nation of 52.7 millions30 is progressing to a market-oriented economy, and from 60 years of conflict to peace in border areas. It is a Least Developed Nation26 with 25% of its population under the poverty line8, and the lowest HDI among the four case studies. Poverty6 is more pervasive in rural areas, with a 29% incidence compared to 15% in urban locations, concentrating 85% of food poverty in rural locations where 66.8% of the Burmese live. Food poverty8 is unevenly distributed, affecting mostly the regions/states of Chin, Rakhine, Tanintharyi and Shan. Thus, geography is a key driver of food insecurity in Myanmar, also affected by socioeconomic status, ethnicity and insecurity. Poor households spend up to 74.1% of income in food8. Myanmar is rich in natural resources and has four distinct agroecological zones. The agricultural sector contributed to 37.8% of the GDP in 201117, employing 70% of the population3 and with an increasing focus on the export market for crops - rice and pulses - and fisheries. Other main crops of this net food exporter nation are oilseed, vegetables and maize, whose market liberalisation since 1988 is still limited by dwindling interventionist agricultural policies and changing land rights21. However, plentiful agricultural production coexists with high levels of rural inequality, poverty and malnourishment in Myanmar21. Food and nutrition insecurity are exacerbated not only by the lean season after the Monsoon and natural disasters threats, but also by land access, with 30% of rural populations landless and 37% with small landholdings3, whose livelihoods increasingly depend on casual farm labor and are more vulnerable to prices fluctuations19. Indebtedness is widespread and mostly used to purchase food5, a coping strategy for poorer households. Rural livelihoods are based on agriculture, although the importance of non-farm income and migration is growing19, 22. Myanmar is experiencing a triple burden of high child and maternal mortality rates, combined with communicable and noncommunicable diseases7. Malnutrition is pervasive with 35.1% children under-five stunted, 22.6% underweight, and 7.9% wasted in 200918. Stunting and underweight children are more prevalent in rural areas with significant regional differences, particularly high in Rakhine and Chin states17. Undernourishment affects genders evenly, but it is correlated to poverty and mother’s educational level18.



Low dietary diversity and insufficient dietary intake -30.5% of households17- are key drivers of malnutrition in Myanmar, combined with high disease burden due to lack of infrastructure and health care19. Diets are high in carbohydrates, and protein accounts for only 11.4% of consumption -mostly from vegetable sources19. Micronutrient deficiencies are present, with particularly high anaemia levels for both mothers and children17. Dietary diversity among mothers and children during the complementary feeding period is suboptimal22, when stunting and underweight rates dramatically increase18. Improving knowledge and changing attitudes is crucial, while acknowledging the inherent barriers of poverty22. Cultural perspectives require consideration, as inadequate nutrient consumption for pregnant and lactating women is influenced by avoidance of certain foods due to traditional food habits. Women’s rights in Myanmar have historically been recognised, with same rights as men regarding land tenure, and parity among genders for primary and secondary enrolments19. However, women of ethnic minorities tend not enjoy the same status. Female literacy rates are over 90%29, although there are nearly three times the number of illiterate females compared to males19. The economy has been growing in double digits from 2005 to 201117, while the share of the primary sector - primarily rice production, with 80% of the total sector value-, has been decreasing since 2001 due to rapid increases from the gas, oil, mineral and gemstone industries in Myanmar3.

Nutrition indicators18 2009 Other indicators


35.1%

HDI - Human Development Index

150 / 187 201425

Underweight 22.6% GDP per capita $876 20129

Wasting 7.9% National Poverty Line 25% 20098

Anaemia 75% 200417 Rural Poverty Line 29% 20098

Children 6 to 59 months Vitamin A supplementation

67.8%

Rural population

66.8% 201230


21.7% 200317


37.8% 201017

Anaemia Pregnant women

71% 200317 GII Gender Inequality Index

83 / 187 201324

Iodine supplementation Households

47% 200617 Literacy rate female 90.4% 201129

Exclusive breast feeding - 6 months 23.6% Literacy rate female youth 95.8% 201129



Pre-monsoon Food Security situation in Myanmar, 20135

Economic growth and child undernutrition in Myanmar, 1990 - 2011

Created from World Bank, 201129; Ministry of Health, 201317.; and IMF. 20149.



2. National Policy Framework

Food security has been central in policy since 1988 through food sovereignty and rice self-sufficiency principles. The legal framework is poorly harmonised, and the link between nutrition and agriculture remains weak6. Administrative decentralisation is incipient, and coordination mechanisms are recent.

Health Policies National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, 2011-2015 (NPAFN) By the Ministry of Health (MoH). The National Health Policy 1993 establishes the political direction, focusing on primary health care. The Myanmar Health Vision 2030 defines the road map to achieve universal health services and reducing malnutrition. See17 for a comprehensive list of health regulations. The NPAFN is the second nutrition strategy of Myanmar - previous from 1994; drafted in partnership with development partners, a novelty in Myanmar28. It aims to address the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition, articulated through 10 strategic objectives and specific targets for 2016: reduce stunting to 30%, underweight to 20% and wasting to 7%; and targets on micronutrient deficiencies and overweight. It presents the latest data on malnutrition from 2009, defines the multisectoral coordination structure, and incorporates SUN promoted indicators.

National Economic and Social Development Plan, 2011/12-2015/16 (NESDP)

By the Government of Myanmar (GoM). It sets the vision for the country to become a developed, modern and peaceful nation. It highlights five objectives: infrastructure development; border areas; rural development; poverty alleviation; achieving the MDGs 1 and 7; and maintaining good financial and economic conditions. It articulates several agricultural interventions, including meeting targeted yields of designated crops. National Strategy on Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation, 2011 By the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development (MLFRD). It establishes eight priority areas: agricultural production; livestock and fisheries production; rural productivity; credit enterprises; rural cooperatives; rural socio-economy; rural renewal energy; and environmental conservation. It focuses on food security, rural development and poverty reduction through sustainable economic development14. Agriculture sector By the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI). The Agriculture Sector Review 2004, established freedom of choice in agricultural development, new agricultural land development, addressing land tenure rights, and mainstreaming landless households to achieve the needs of local consumers, the export market and rural communities. The National Agricultural Plan combines sub-sector priorities - crops; livestock and fisheries; forestry -, to achieve the NESDP goals. For a comprehensive list of Agricultural Policies and articulation of the primary sector restructuring principles, see FSWG, 2013:8. There is not a food security specific framework6.




Central Board for Food and Nutrition By the MoH. Provides high-level leadership, is chaired by the MoH, MoAI, MLFRD, and amalgamates 14 different ministries. It takes major policy and strategic decisions, ensures stakeholder commitment, and aims to lead the promotion of food and nutrition security in Myanmar. Under the Board, two more groups have been defined in the NPAFN17: Food and Nutrition Working Group, responsible for implementing the NPAFN through collaboration with nutrition-related sectors, and organising the Food and Nutrition Advisory Group, which will provide technical advice.

National Nutrition Centre (NCC)

By the MoH. The NCC is the core implementation institution of the NPAFN, and the guardian of the coordination process7. Its functions include resource mobilisation, setting priorities and targets for the programmes, alignment with broader development strategies and sectoral policy processes. It is not clear how the Board governance structure, established in 2013, will interact with the NCC and the non-governmental coordination groups.

Non-governmental coordination groups Food Security Working Group (FSWG)6 Network of non-governmental stakeholders - national and international - aimed to improve practices related to food security, established in 2003. It has a focus on food security information analysis, training, and government dialogue. Food Security and Agriculture Thematic Group (FSATG) Coordinates agricultural and a wide range of food security issues at national level. Its members include UN agencies - FAO and WFP are co-chairs -, international and local NGOs28.

Myanmar Nutrition Technical Network (MNTN) Coordinates nutritional activities among development partners. Its members include 28 international and local NGOs, which have prepared a joint action plan; facilitated by UNICEF28.



3. Multilateral agencies’ involvement

Since the Nargis emergency in 2010, a new phase for partnerships between government and civil society started, reflecting a relaxation in political control. Main actors are UN agencies - UNICEF, WHO, UNDP, WFP and FAO; international financing institutions - World Bank, Asian Development Bank; international NGOs - including Action Contre la Faim, Helen Keller International, Save the Children; local NGOs; and specialised agencies - CGIAR, ACIAR. For a comprehensive list see MIMU16. Bilateral funds totalled 504 US millions in 2012, lead by Japan with 68 US millions, followed by the United Kingdom with 55, Australia with 51 and the EU Institutions with 4720. Myanmar receives less aid per capita than other similar countries4.

Key programs

Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Established in 2009, it’s a multi-donor fund -including Australia15- aiming to improve the food and livelihood security of the rural poor in Myanmar and attaining the MGD1. It is a mechanism to channel aid among partners effectively, promoting coherence and innovation while articulating a single voice for policy engagement. Its assistance has reached 5% of Myanmar’s population, improving food security and income for 250,000 and 60,000 households respectively15. LIFT has conducted two surveys - 201212 and 201313, providing the most up-to-date information on food security.

Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN)23 Myanmar joined the Sun Movement in 2013, which framework has been incorporated to the NPAFN. Partners with the MoH to mainstream child and maternal nutrition interventions in a coordinated fashion. The SUN framework has influenced Myanmar’s poverty alleviation strategy where undernutrition is considered the backbone of poverty reduction.

ACIAR research projects1 Improving food security and rural incomes for smallholders is the main focus of ACIAR’s projects in Myanmar, achieved through increased production and better access to markets and services. It researches in the Delta and Dry agroecological zones. Among others, it has partnered with the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on a legume productivity project in the Dry zone. One key project focuses on strengthening institutional capacity, extension services and rural livelihoods2.




a. Government structure and opportunities Myanmar is a young semi-democracy, has a multi-party system with restricted parliamentary weight, and a National Constitution from 2008. Its recent aperture is enabling discussions across different actors, sometimes colliding with a crowded policy environment as many stakeholders are seeking to drive policy action6. Regional and township governments were created in 2011, with implementative roles and initial developments in regional policy-making7. Provided the variability in nutrition and food poverty among regions, decentralised and area-specific nutrition policy should be encouraged, which is beginning for agricultural matters6. Inter-ministerial coordination (structure below) is a new approach to policy implementation in Myanmar, defined in the NAPFN17 in 2013.

There are challenges with poor data quality19 and information sharing, as most of it is prepared for internal use by government and other agencies, often not available to the public28. Liaising with the non-governmental coordination mechanisms is advised.




First national elections were in 2010, followed by a by-election in 2012 where the National League for Democracy became the opposition party, despite not affecting the balance of power11. The next general election is expected for December 2015. The National health budget is highly centralised6, and it lacks transparency and credibility as it provides scant information to citizens10. Influencing its content or programs seem an unrealistic option. The total health expenditure was 2% of the GDP in 201227, and according the SUN webpage “the Government of Myanmar has increased budget in the health sector, along with basic infrastructure for nutrition”23.

5. Links with DFAT priorities Australia is the third largest bilateral donor in Myanmar, with $81.4 million in 2013-14 and $90 million estimated for 2014-154. The Australia-Myanmar Aid Program Strategy 2012-2014 and the Partnership for Reform reflect DFAT’s commitment to reduce poverty and support the transition towards democracy, while aligning with Myanmar’s development priorities. Australia’s focus on strengthening the democratic process are embraced through a nutrition-sensitive framework, as it requires strong coordination and multisectoral public sector mechanisms to attain nutrition and food security outcomes. Thus, institutional capacity building is key to this approach to development. Nutrition-sensitive agricultural development is committed to improve the lives of rural populations, which in Myanmar comprise the majority of its population and experience the highest levels of poverty and food insecurity. Australia’s ACIAR programs and leadership through the LIFT strongly complement this proposal, proving a valuable opportunity for synergistic gains in food security research whilst improving agricultural productivity. Finally, Australia’s prioritisation of health for the 2014-15 period is complementary with this approach through the improvement of child and maternal nutritional status, vital for the population’s development and the prosperity of this evolving nation.



References - Myanmar [1] ACIAR. 2014. Myanmar. Viewed 15 August 2014. Available from: http://aciar.gov.au/country/burma [2] ACIAR. 2014. Strengthening institutional capacity, extension services and rural livelihoods in the Central Dry Zone and

Ayeyarwaddy Delta regions of Burma. Viewed 15 August 2014. Available from: http://aciar.gov.au/project/asem/2011/043

[3] ADB. 2012. Interim Country Partnership Strategy: Myanmar, 2012–2014. Sector Assessment (Summary): Agriculture

and Natural Resources. Asian Development Bank. Available from: http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/icps-mya-2012-2014-ssa-03.pdf

[4] DFAT. 2014. Aid in Burma. Viewed on 17 August 2014. Available from:

http://aid.dfat.gov.au/countries/eastasia/burma/Pages/home.aspx [5] FSIN. 2013. Food Security Monitoring Bulletin: Pre Monsoon 2013. Food Security Information Network. Available from:

http://www.fsinmyanmar.net/food-security-updates/fsin-bulletins/item/443-food-security-monitoring-bulletin-pre-monsoon-2013

[6] FSWG. 2013. Briefing paper - Food Security-related Policy Analysis. Food Security Working Group: Yangon. [7] Grundy, J., Annear, P., Ahmed, S., & Biggs, B. A. 2014. Adapting to social and political transitions–The influence of

history on health policy formation in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Burma). Social Science & Medicine,107, 179-188. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953614000409

[8] IHLCA. 2011. Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey in Myanmar - Poverty profile. IHLCA Project Technical

Unit / UNDP. Available from: http://www.mm.undp.org/content/dam/myanmar/docs/FA1MMRPovertyProfile_Eng.pdf

[9] IMF. 2014. World Economic Outlook. IMF Data Mapper. Available from:

http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/index.php [10] International Budget. 2012. Open Budget Survey - Myanmar. International Budget Initiative, Washington. Available

from: http://internationalbudget.org/wp-content/uploads/OBI2012-MyanmarCS-English.pdf [11] International Crisis Group. 2012. Reform in Myanmar: One Year On. Briefing Paper 136: Jakarta/Brussels. Available

from: http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/burma-myanmar/b136-reform-in-myanmar-one-year-on

[12] LIFT. 2012. Baseline Survey Results, July 2012. Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund, Yangon. Available from:

http://archive.lift-fund.net/downloads/LIFT%20Baseline%20Survey%20Report%20-%20July%202012.pdf [13] LIFT. 2013. Household Survey 2013. Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund, Yangon. Available from: http://lift-

fund.org/Publications/LIFT_HH_Survey_2013.pdf [14] LIFT. 2013. Driving forward the rural development agenda in Myanmar. Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund,

Nay Pyi Taw. Available from: http://fsg.afre.msu.edu/national_wk_on_rural_development_2013nov18.pdf [15] LIFT. 2013. LIFT Flyer. Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund. Available from: http://lift-

fund.org/Publications/LIFT_Flyer_web.pdf [16] MIMU. 2014. Contacts. Myanmar Information Management Unit. Viewed 18 August 2014. Available from:

http://www.themimu.info/contacts



[17] MoH. 2013. National Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, 2011-2015. Final Draft, June 2013. National Nutrition Centre, MoH.

[18] MNPED, MoH, UNICEF. 2011. Myanmar Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2009 - 2010 Final Report. Nay Pyi Taw,

Myanmar. Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development and Ministry of Health, Myanmar. Available from: http://www.childinfo.org/files/MICS3_Myanmar_FinalReport.pdf

[19] MSU/MDRI. 2013. A Strategic Agricultural Sector and Food Security Diagnostic for Myanmar. Michigan State University

and he Myanmar Development Resource Institute. Available from: http://fsg.afre.msu.edu/Myanmar/myanmar_agricultural_sector_diagnostic_july_2013.pdf

[20] OECD. 2014. Myanmar ODA 2012. Available from: http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/documentupload/MMR.JPG [21] Rammohan, A., and Pritchard, B. 2014. The Role of Landholding as a Determinant of Food and Nutrition Insecurity in

Rural Myanmar. World Development, 64: 597-608. [22] Sibson, V. 2014. A Nutrition and Food Security Assessment of the Dry Zone of Myanmar in June and July 2013. Save

the Children / WFP / Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development. Available from: http://www.fsinmyanmar.net/food-security-dictionary/item/447-a-nutrition-and-food-security-assessment-of-the-dry-zone-of-myanmar-june-24th-july-18th-2013

[23] SUN Movement. 2014. Myanmar. Viewed 13 August 2014. Available from: http://scalingupnutrition.org/sun-

countries/myanmar [24] UNDP. 2013. Gender Inequality Index. Available from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-4-gender-inequality-index [25] UNDP. 2014. Human Development Index. Available from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries [26] UNICEF. 2013. Improving child nutrition: The achievable imperative for global progress. United Nations Children's

Fund. Available from: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_68661.html [27] WHO. 2012. Health expenditure database. Available from: http://apps.who.int/nha/database/Select/Indicators/en [28] Win, N.N., 2013. MYANMAR - Report on Food Security & Nutrition. Data Cataloging, April 2013. Integrated Food

Security Phase Classification(IPC) Asia Project, OSRO/RAS/102/EC. Available from: http://www.ipcinfo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ipcinfo/docs/REPORT%20ON%20DATA%20CATALOGING_8%20April%202013.pdf



development-indicators.



5. Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

(Timor-Leste) - Country analysis

1. Country overview Timor-Leste emerged as an independent country in 2002, after centuries of colonial rule and 24 years of Indonesian occupation. This history has resulted in institutional fragility and is key to understand its current situation as a Least Developed Country22 and one of the poorest countries in South-Asia, with 41% of its 1.2 million population27 living below the poverty line10. Poverty and food insecurity are almost synonyms in Timorese households. They are primarily a rural phenomenon, affecting the means that individuals have to provide for food and other essential needs and the lack of assets to overcome temporary shortages. Poor households spend up to 75% of income in food2. Timor-Leste’s agricultural sector is mostly based on household food production, which is the main source of food, employment and income or livelihood for 70% of the population living in rural areas27, characterised by low productivity and difficulties for accessing markets due to poor infrastructure2. In 2005, the domestic production only reached two thirds of the national requirements13, with very high post-harvest losses and annual variability depending on rainfall2. Main crops grown are maize, rice and cassava, depending on the topographical altitude, and coffee, the only cash crop produced for the export market2. Chronic food insecurity was experienced by 62% of households in 201310, due to widespread subsistence agriculture and lack of alternative sources of income other than farming for 63.1% of the population2, resulting in dependence over food imports. Food insecurity is exacerbated by transitory food shortages between October and March affecting 21.6% of rural households15 and by a fast-depleting resource base essential for their livelihood, combined with limited availability of arable land13 and an inappropriate land tenure system15. Malnutrition is widespread, with stunting prevalence among the highest in the world22, despite recent improvements. In 2013, 50.2% of children under five were stunted, and 11% were wasted, indicating a diet lacking sufficient energy and micronutrients15. The rate of maternal malnutrition is equally high, with 24.8% of women in reproductive age being underweight and 38.9% anaemic15, revealing a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies for both mother and children. Dietary intake is inadequate among children, despite 62% undertaking exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months15. Only 17.6% children 6-23 months meet the minimum acceptable diet, increasing to 25.1% among 24-59 months old15. However, 61.3% of households had an acceptable Food Consumption Score10, suggesting that inadequate children’s diets are possibly more related to practices than to food availability.



Malnutrition has been recognised as a socio-cultural problem, where cultural attitudes are associated with suboptimal feeding practices. Knowledge and skills to provide care and an acceptable diet require attention, as stunting is not perceived by parents as a problem, nor the lack of dietary diversity15. There is an over-emphasis on staples, the consumption of animal-source foods is low among women, particularly if rural and uneducated, and mainly eaten on special occasions2. Disparities in nutrition indicators are significant among rural and poorer populations, but not between genders, although slightly worse for males22. Timor-Leste has progressed importantly in reducing child mortality by more than 60% since 19992, whilst fertility rates remain the highest in Southeast Asia at 5.7 births per woman16. Literacy rates are below 60%, although improving among younger generations, and with minor differences between genders26. However, women have low status and violence against women is a serious problem2, reflecting remnants of the traditional patriarchal system. Its economy has been growing over 10% annually for the last three years and is based on the petroleum sector with 76.9% of the GDP in 201114, exports from which the state obtains most of its revenue. The strong presence of international agencies since independence is declining, and thus reducing their development partner commitments to the budget14.

Nutrition indicators15 2013 Other indicators


50.2 %

HDI - Human Development Index

128 / 187 201421

Underweight 37.7% GDP per capita $1,068 201227

Wasting 11% National Poverty Line 49.9% 200725

Anaemia 62.5% Rural Poverty Line 51.5% 200725

Children 6 to 59 months Vitamin A supplementation

53%

Rural population

71.3% 201227


24.8%


15.6% 201114

Anaemia 38.9% GII Gender Inequality Index

NA

Iodine deficiency 26.6% Literacy rate female 53% 201026

Exclusive breast feeding - 6 months 62% Literacy rate female youth 78.6% 201026



Percentage of food insecure / highly vulnerable population in Timor-Leste, 200624

Economic growth and child undernutrition in Timor-Leste, 1999 - 2013

Created from World Bank, 201328; and Ministry of Health, 201415.



2. National Policy Framework

Timor-Leste counts with 4 key policies and one declaration that intersect with nutrition-sensitive approaches, as well as developing institutional coordination mechanisms.

National Food Security Policy, 200513 By the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. First general framework on food security aimed to advance its reconstruction since the country independence, when many internally displaced people started re-establishing their assets and the agricultural sector transitioned to a free market economy. Main objectives are reducing poverty, improving food security and agricultural productivity.

National Nutrition Strategy, 2014-201915 (NSS) By the Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNICEF. Second nutrition policy - prior in 2004. It presents the latest nutrition indicators from 2013, a detailed map on policy frameworks addressing malnutrition and inter-sectoral coordinating mechanisms at national, district and sub-district levels. It provides a comprehensive multi-sectoral framework to address the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition, prioritising efforts from pregnancy to 24 months and aiming to scale-up a set of “High Impact Nutrition Interventions” through the lifecycle approach. Its objective is to reduce malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among children and women through the implementation of nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions, recognising the importance of both the health and non-health sectors. Implementation will initially concentrate in the same districts, providing an opportunity for research alignment.

Strategic Development Plan, 2011-20309 By the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL). Improvements on social capital, infrastructure and rural development are prioritised, all of which intersect with nutrition outcomes. It promotes diverse consumption of locally produced foods, improved mother and child nutrition care practices, better access to and quality of nutrition services at health facilities in the community, and nutrition behaviour change programs. In agriculture, the primary goal is to achieve food security by 2020 and to reduce rural poverty, by transitioning subsistence farming to commercial farming of crops, livestock and fisheries, improved farming practices and enhanced productivity, while ensuring environmental sustainability and natural resources conservation.

Strategic framework for Rural Development for 2010 – 2020 One of its axis focuses on farming and food production, measuring its success with reduction of underweight children prevalence.




Inter-Ministerial Food and Nutrition Security Working Group8 (IMFNS-WG) Created in 2011, it collects multi-sectoral data through the Food Security Information and Early Warning System, reporting to the Council of Ministers. It emerged after the Comoro Declaration against hunger and malnutrition 2010, the first official recognition of food security and malnutrition as national priorities, with seven signatory ministries.

KONSSANTIL11 - National Food Security, Sovereignty and Nutrition Inter-Ministerial Committee established in early 2013, reporting to the Prime Minister and chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) with MoH’s involvement. It aims to strengthen coordination between ministries, services and agencies that work on food and nutrition security while consolidating resources.

3. Multilateral agencies’ involvement There is widespread presence of organisations in Timor-Leste, including multiple UN agencies -FAO, WFP, WHO, UNICEF, ILO and UNOPS (United Nations Operations and Project Services); other specialised agencies -International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and ACIAR; and many NGOs, including CARE International, World Vision, Oxfam and Concern. Government funds totalled 283 US millions in 2012, lead by Australia with 37.5% of the total official development assistance, followed by United States 10.2% and EU Institutions 9.5%17.

Key programs

Zero Hunger Campaign, 201410 National Action Plan for a Hunger and Malnutrition Free Timor-Leste By the GoTL and development partners - including Australia. Establishes a detailed plan to eradicate hunger and malnutrition within 10 years with specific targets, and a strong focus on coordinating approaches for implementation success. It emerges from the “Zero Hunger Campaign” lead by the UN at a global level.

School Feeding program Run by GoTL with World Vision and CARE Australia - WFP no longer. Provided 324,000 energy-dense fortified meals in 20102; increasing spending from 15 to 25 US cents per student per day in 201414. However, it does not target the crucial window of opportunity, and although important, it has no direct effect on undernutrition3.



Seeds of Life, 2000 - ongoing19

Research-based program lead by MAF in partnership with Australian agencies, including the ACIAR and DFAT. Present in most districts, being the largest program in the subsistence sector ($25 million from 2011–2015)5. It focuses on increasing yields of staple foods by selecting and distributing improved varieties, with impressive results20. In 2013, 25% of crop farmers across Timor-Leste grew one or more improved varieties, with 57% yield increase by farmers18. It also aims to overcome climate variability by developing new productions methods, increase soil fertility and reduce post-harvest storage losses. ACIAR’s has three more projects in Timor-Leste1.

Village Poultry health and biosecurity7 Research-based project funded by DFAT Government Partnerships for Development Project with the involvement of the University of Sydney. It focuses on building the capacity of government and villagers in poultry raising and marketing, whilst improving food security, nutrition and biosecurity policies and practices. It aims to increase poultry production to benefit some of the poorest members of the community with high quality protein and micronutrients. It also attends the challenges posed by biosecurity threats, such as presence of Newcastle Disease that causes regular high mortality in village chickens.

The Joint Programme, 2009 - 201312 By the Millennium Development Goal Achievement Fund and the GoTL. Aimed to address food insecurity and malnutrition by coordinating the UN agencies and Government Ministries’ work with community in Aileu, Baucau, Manatuto and Oecusse. Targeted women and children under-five, enhancing institutional capacity while increasing access to nourishing foods. A core achievement was the implementation of the Food Security Information and Early Warning System (FSIEWS) across all districts, reporting to the IMFNS-WG. The final evaluation recommends12 greater emphasis on health, education, rural development and agriculture; strengthen inter-institutional coordination and gender factors.

Other Timor-Leste is not a SUN country, although the approach of the NNS 2014 follows its narrative and there is potential to join soon4.




a. Government structure and opportunities

The GoTL is open and used to working with external partners, is starting to decentralise, whilst eager to develop its young nation from a post-conflict situation to one of full development9. For the purpose of implementing a nutrition-sensitive agricultural framework, working with the MAF and the MoH, and their respective Department of Food Security and Department of Nutrition, seems appropriate. Collaboration should focus on the 3 key institutional coordinating mechanisms: Konssantil, IMFNS-WG, and the Nutrition Technical Working Group (MoH). Their structure is articulated in the following manner15:



Australia is a member of the Konssantil Permanent Technical Secretariat5, who manages financial resources. A new version of the Food Security Strategy is under development, providing an opportunity to influence its content and reinforce a nutrition-sensitive approach to agricultural development in the future policy.

b. Legislative cycles and annual budget Elections occur every 5 years, last one in 2012. The following are expected in 2017, Presidential in March/April and Parliamentary in July. The budgetary cycle is annual, covering the period from 1st of January until 31st of December. The 2014 budget was approved by the Council of Ministers on late October 201314, indicating that budget discussions should happen half way through the year. The GoTL aims to dedicate 10% of the state budget to food security and nutrition11.

5. Links with DFAT priorities Timor-Leste is a strategic partner for Australia and largest bilateral donor, with $112.3 millions in 2013-14 and $96.6 million -estimated- for 2014-156. The partnership is reflected in the Strategic Planning Agreement for Development 2011-2030, committing to achieve Timor Leste’s development goals. The commitment to reduce poverty and facilitate economic development is addressed through the nutrition-sensitive agricultural framework, as a nourished and healthy workforce will enable the Timorese to sustain and further develop its double digit economic growth. To achieve these goals food security improvement is crucial, as it is the basis for stability and social capital growth.



The rural development focus of this approach is in line with the ACIAR’s Seeds of Life and the Village Poultry Health project, a set of complementary relationships that embed the potential to produce faster and sustained outcomes. By strengthening nutrition sensitive agricultural development, women are empowered to develop income-generating opportunities whilst improving their nutritional status and their children’s. A nutrition-sensitive framework for development embraces building the public sector’s capacity, as coordination among Ministries and Departments is key to improve its policy and planning capabilities, which intersect with health and rural development, stated priorities of Australia for Timor-Leste.



References - Timor-Leste [1] ACIAR. 2014. Timor-Leste Annual Operational Plan. Available from: http://aciar.gov.au/files/aop2013/files/timor-

leste.pdf [2] Andersen, A. B., Pant, J., Thilsted, S. H. 2013. Food and nutrition security in Timor-Leste. CGIAR Research Program on

Aquatic Systems. Penang, Malaysia. Project Report: AAS-2013-29. Available from: http://www.worldfishcenter.org/resource_centre/AAS-2013-29.pdf

[3] Bryce, Jennifer et al. 2008. Maternal and child undernutrition: effective action at national level. The Lancet. 371.9611,

p510-526. [4] Curran, S. 2013. Talking Nutrition at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Timor Leste. Web log post. Center on

Globalisation and Sustainable Development: Columbia University. Viewed 15 July 2014. http://cgsd.columbia.edu/2013/06/02/nutrition-agriculture-timor-leste/

[5] DFAT. 2013. Aid Program Performance Report 2012−13 República Democrática de Timor-Leste. Canberra: DFAT.

Available from: http://aid.dfat.gov.au/Publications/Documents/timorleste-appr-2012-13.pdf [6] DFAT. 2014. Aid in Timor-Leste. Viewed on 27 June 2014. Available from:

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