Is Nutrition Losing Out in African Agricultural Policies? Evidence from Nigeria
Abstract
Agricultural policies in many African countries focus on industrialising food value
chains and substituting domestic products for imported ones. Yet experience in
Nigeria shows that, by focusing on staple crops and neglecting vegetables, pulses
and animal proteins, these policies are missing opportunities to address
micronutrient undernutrition. By promoting import substitution, these policies
also risk undermining gains made in food fortification. Before restricting
imported foods, agricultural policies need to build the capacity of domestic value
chains to provide high-quality produce, while also strengthening regulatory
institutions. This will require long-term commitment, but failure to act could
jeopardise progress on undernutrition.