Objective 1: To strengthen the empirical evidence of agricultural biodiversity’s role for nutrition and health

The major objective of this research will be to generate a better understanding of the links among agricultural biodiversity, diet quality, and nutrition and health, as well as the overall role of nutrition within agricultural systems.

By establishing a robust set of interdisciplinary projects in relevant agro-ecological systems, research will determine the main drivers of agricultural biodiversity and the role of agrobiodiverse practices and landscapes in dietary quality and diversity, and in health and nutrition outcomes for rural communities.

The two major components of research will build evidence of the role and impact of agricultural biodiversity and local traditional foods in improving diets, and by extension human health and nutrition. Bioversity International will explore the interactions of these three components at individual, household, and community levels.

Component One:Agricultural Biodiversity in Diets, Health and Nutrition

To describe and define the role of agricultural biodiversity in diets, health and nutrition:  the nutritional value, usage and consumption patterns of foods derived from agricultural biodiverse landscapes, and their impact on human nutrition and health outcomes.

Component Two: Nutritional Anthropology and Sociology of Agricultural Biodiversity

To explore food sovereignty and the socio-cultural and traditional roles of foods sourced from agricultural biodiversity in communities and households, and to understand why we eat what we eat, the right to high quality foods, and the role of traditional food systems in those decisions.

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• Objective 2:
  To ensure that the production of more nutritious foods through commercial pathways reflects agricultural biodiverse practices and cultural and consumer preferences

• Objective 3:
  To determine best practices and delivery systems of agricultural biodiversity in nutrition and health development programmes

• Objective 4: To mainstream the role of agricultural biodiversity into public health and nutrition policy and practice by sharing evidence and providing local solutions
  

• Bioversity International's Nutrition Strategy overview