Forum global sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition (Forum FSN)

The discussion paper does bring into perspective the concept and the important facets of an NSVC especially on taking a multi-dimensional approach towards achieving NSVCs. There will be a need to consider that in order to achieve significant levels of nutrition, integration of more than one food system/commodity will become pertinent; however for some developing countries this could pose a challenge and an opportunity simultaneously. The challenge being that different food systems/commodities have differing value chain dynamics that they have to navigate, therefore creating a complex system around trying to promote NSVCs. On the opportunity side it prompts engagement with the relevant policy makers to enable promotion and adoption of NSVCs, this can include considering smart incentives for those with a deliberate strategy of integrating enhanced nutrition into their value chains in the same way that there are incentives for protection of the environment, this could hold true for nutrition senitivity.

To also ensure that nutrition is not just a by-word; there will be need to promote sensitivity right from the production level; for example for the Maize Value Chain- promoting cultivation of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) could form a first stage activity to ensure that communities that consume maize as staple are receiving adequate nutrients. Therefore the process of value addition will not affect the nutrient composition of the finished product.

Developing a business case for the role of private sector/SMEs around the nutrition nodes of a VC like blending and fortification, will also go along way in demonstrating that there is value in using an NSVC lens when developing VCs; there is need to also demonstrate that there is no subsequent increase in production costs as the food will not be affordable to the low income segments. Parallel to all this, nutrition awareness and labeling should form a greater part of business model development in order to promote and generate demand for consumption of the nutritious foods.

Finally there will be need to consider the maturity stage of the VCs as this could be a great determinant for the adoption of a NSVC lens as well as promotion of consumption of high nutritious foods. Some VCs could be ready for nutrition sensitivity, whilst some need to still come full circle to quality product development first, then into the next stage of nutrition sensitivity (blending and fortification). Not to say that some VCs can not outrightly develop as NSVCs from the onset.