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Policy Brief. The unlocked potential of inland fish to contribute to improved nutrition in Sri Lanka









Athauda,S.;  Weerahewa,J.; Gonzalez,I.; Bouterakos, M. and Yanoma, Y.. 2019. The unlocked potential of inland fish to contribute to improved nutrition in Sri Lanka. FAO: Colombo, 12 p.


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    The year 2015 marked the end of the global Millennium Development agenda and 2016 heralds a transition to the new 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. Asia-Pacific Region not only met the MDG target of halving the proportion of people suffering from hunger, but was also the region with the largest reduction in the number of undernourished people in the world. Despite good progress being made by many countries in tackling malnutrition, the overall rate of progress is less than desired and the re are several countries and sub-regions where the prevalence rates are still very high. The analysis presented in this report will help encourage dialogue and shape a new public narrative towards eradicating hunger and malnutrition and creating a transformative change for sustainable development.

    Most governments are taking concrete actions to address the problem and there is a clear recognition of strengthening agriculture and food systems in a manner that brings more affordable, hea lthier and diverse food options within everyone’s reach.

    This report also introduces a special section which will focus on a different selected key issue or trend affecting food security and nutrition in the region each year. This year, the focus is on the importance of milk and smallholder dairy in view of the remarkable growth in the production and consumption of milk and milk products in the region. The section concludes that the promotion of milk consumption and small-scale dairying offe rs potential for triple wins in nutrition, rural livelihoods and the environment.

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    Policy Brief. Combatting micronutrient deficiencies through home gardens in Sri Lanka 2019
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    Vegetables and fruits are rich in micronutrients, which are essential to maintain optimal health and for growth and development. Despite their significance, in Sri Lanka, the average consumption of fruits and vegetables is lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) minimum recommendations. Inadequate availability of micronutrient-rich food at affordable prices is cited as the key reason for low micronutrient intake levels in Sri Lanka. An avenue to enhance consumption of fruits and vegetables is through home gardens. Several studies have highlighted the key role of home gardens in enhancing food security by providing direct access to a variety of nutritionally rich foods, as well as employment and income generation opportunities to households. In Sri Lanka, many crops in existing home gardens are under-utilized, meaning that these species are not widely grown, rarely found in the market and not cultivated commercially, yet are low maintenance, climate resistant and contain high amounts of micronutrients. In this respect, this policy brief suggests that promoting cultivation, harvesting and consumption of these under-utilized food crops in home gardens is a feasible strategy to sustainably reduce micronutrient deficiencies persistent in the Sri Lankan population.
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    Policy Brief. Food prices: an effective way of shifting diets towards healthier habits in Sri Lanka 2019
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    This policy brief examines food prices and responsiveness to food prices, focused on the main food groups in Sri Lanka. One factor that determines food choices are food prices, which then in turn impacts the nutritional status of a population. In Sri Lanka, the cost of energy-dense food (finger millet, cassava, sugar, edible oil) is relatively lower when compared to those of low-energy dense, healthier food (such as fruits and vegetables). Due to the rising tide of over-nutrition leading to a higher rate of non-communicable diseases, and the prevalence of undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, Sri Lanka is in an urgent need to design robust pricing strategies rather than rely on short-term price fixing. While the cost of healthy and unhealthy foods is not the only factor determining diets and nutrition outcomes, it is nevertheless an important one, and therefore these policies should aim to transform population diets towards healthier and affordable food options. Despite the role of food prices in shifting diets, in Sri Lanka, pricing policies have not considered this potential and have been used to serve different purposes. In this respect, this policy brief examines prices and responsiveness to prices focused on the main food groups in Sri Lanka; discusses the role of subsidies and taxes as potential tools to effectively drive changes in Sri Lankan diets; and concludes with relevant policy recommendations.

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