Child nutrition is a critical determinant of long-term health, cognitive development, and overall well-being, and it plays a vital role in breaking the cycle of poverty. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), child malnutrition remains a major public health issue, with wide-ranging impacts on social and economic development. Agricultural interventions—such as biofortification, home gardening, animal husbandry, Fisheries and aquaculture, dairy and poultry development have potential to enhance nutrition outcomes by increasing access to nutritious food, raising household income, and fostering food security. However, evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions in improving child nutrition remains scattered and varies across different contexts.
ICED is conducting a systematic review replication aimed at examining and synthesizing evidence on how agricultural interventions impact child nutrition, focusing specifically on LMIC contexts. Building on prior reviews, this project aims to rigorously assess a broad spectrum of agricultural strategies to determine which approaches have most effectively enhanced child nutrition outcomes. By carefully analyzing the available evidence, we are working to identify patterns, assess consistency across studies, and highlight gaps in existing research.
The primary goal of this systematic review replication is to provide clear, actionable insights for stakeholders, including policymakers, agricultural development practitioners, and organizations involved in child health and nutrition. Through this review, we aim to contribute to an evidence base that can inform the design of future agricultural interventions, ultimately supporting the global agenda for improved child nutrition and sustainable development.
This systematic review is an internally funded initiative of the ICED research team. Our aim is not only to contribute to the broader body of evidence but also to develop our team’s capacity for conducting high-quality systematic reviews. By engaging in this rigorous research process, we are building essential skills that enhance our future work and ensure that we remain a leader in evidence synthesis for policy impact. Edoardo, the lead author of the original study, is contributing to this project as a co-author, and our team has also developed a detailed review protocol for publication with the Journal of Development and Effectiveness (JDE), where we will seek support from editorial colleagues to share this important work with the global academic community.
Funding: Internally funded
Investigators: ICED Research Team
Geographic Focus: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
Funding: Internally funded
Investigators: ICED Research Team
Geographic Focus: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
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