2016 Symposium

Minding the Gaps Along the Agriculture-to-Nutrition Pathway

2016 Symposium Overview

4th Annual Agriculture to Nutrition Scientific Symposium

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition, in conjunction, with our partner, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine, the Nepali Technical Assistance Group, and the Nepal Agriculture Research Council, hosted its 4th annual Scientific Symposium in Kathmandu, Nepal on July 18-20, 2016.  This year’s symposium was inaugurated by the Honorable Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada. The symposium focused on dissemination of research findings among professionals from all sectors concerned with agricultural, food security, health and nutrition sectors. The event was attended by 340 registered participants including local, regional, and international scientists, program implementers, policy makers and students from over 18 national and international academic institutions engaged in conducting or utilizing research focused in Nepal or relevant to Nepal. This year also highlighted dissemination of international research findings from BRAC Bangladesh. The participants were all actively engaged in discussing 19 oral presentations and 23 poster presentations. More than 80 student participants attended the interactive Day 3 academic sessions on dietary assessment methods led by the Department of Public Health, Institute of Medicine with over 16 student poster presentations.

Day 1 Addresses & Oral Presentations
Welcome Plenary Drs. Keith West & Madhu Dixit Devkota (Videos) Dr. West Dr. Devkota
Opening Address Shanda Steimer, Director of the Office of Health and Education, USAID Nepal   Video
Opening Remarks Mr. Madhu Kumar Marasini, Joint Secretary of the National Planning Commission, SUN Country Focal Point – Nepal   Video
Opening Remarks Honorable Prof. Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Chief Guest, Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission, Chairman of High Level Nutrition and Food Security Steering Committee   Video
Opening Remarks Honorable Dr. Geeta Bhakta Joshi, Inaugural Session Chair, Coordinator of National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee
Member of the National Planning Commission
  Video
Keynote:Jessica Fanzo Sustainable Diets: Health, Social, Environmental, and Political Dimensions for Nepal PDF Video
Kenda Cunningham Multi-sectoral programs can both improve health and nutrition and address inequities: Lessons learned from Suaahara, Nepal PDF Video
Bhim Kumari Pun Reaching disadvantaged groups through their peers to improve health and nutrition behaviours in three districts of Nepal PDF  
Gogi Grewal Impact evaluation of “Sunaula Hazar Din” community action for nutrition project: Midline results    
Ganesh Thapa, Gerald Shively Effects of transportation development on child nutrition in Nepal PDF Video
Andrew Thorne-Lyman Household food insecurity as a predictor of child development in peri-urban Nepal: A cross-sectional analysis   Video
Sanjay Rijal The improvement in nutritional status among under- five children in Karnali: Evidence from linking infant and young child feeding with child cash grants PDF Video
Pradiumna Dahal A journey to MSNP in Nepal: Its evolution, processes and the way forward PDF Video
Patrick Webb Measuring nutrition governance in Nepal: A multilayer assessment of institutional and individual capacities and commitment at national, regional and local levels PDF Video
Savita Malla Advocacy and communication strategies for increasing engagement of sectors and stakeholders PDF Video
Madhukar Shrestha The influence of the MSNP on planning and financing for nutrition PDF Video
Kenda Cunningham Stories of Change: 20 Years of nutrition progress in Nepal PDF Video
Day 2 Oral Presentations
Keynote: Ahmed Mushtaque Raza Chowdhury Tackling the ultra-poor: the BRAC approach and implications for health and nutrition PDF Video
Devendra Gauchan The role of home gardens in on-farm biodiversity, household production and consumption of nutrient- rich vegetables and fruits   Video
Bishnu Prasad Dulal The association between homestead food production diversity of diets among women and children PDF Video
Keith West Home food production buffers against a diet of impoverishment in rural Nepal (PoSHAN) PDF Video
Ahmed Kablan Food safety concerns in Feed the Future PDF Video
Johanna Andrews-Trevino “Molds attack rice – But we don’t know what to do”: A qualitative study of farming families’ perceptions of food safety in Banke, Nepal PDF Video
Shibani Ghosh Factors associated with serum aflatoxin levels in pregnant women in Banke district, Nepal PDF Video
Y.B. Thapa Approaches for improving food and nutrition security: Vision of Agriculture Development Strategy (2016-35), Nepal PDF Video
Damodar Kanel Application of a crop yield forecasting tool for cereal crop production in Nepal to strengthen early warning and planning for agriculture and food security PDF Video
Sunila Rai Periphyton enhanced system to increase yield in polyculture ponds with carps and small indigenous species PDF Video
Laurie Miller Educational level of women participants in a community development intervention relates to changes in socio-economic status, household hygiene practices, and child nutritional status PDF Video
Rolf Klemm The quality of a woman’s diet is associated with household food insecurity in rural in Nepal (PoSHAN) PDF Video
Rupa Shiwakoti Women’s empowerment and nutritional status of children: A community-based study from Bhaktapur District, Nepal   Video
Charulatha Banerjee Knowledge Management to support Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) PDF  
Closing Remarks Patrick Webb   Video