Nutrition-sensitive agriculture programming: addressing demand- and supply-side factors in Timor-Leste

To contribute to the reduction of malnutrition in Timor-Leste, particularly for women of reproductive age and children aged 6–23 months, the To’os ba Moris Di’ak / Farming for Prosperity program (TOMAK) run by the Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade, applies a nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) approach. This approach seeks to strengthen the contribution of agriculture to improving nutrition outcomes. Agriculture is nutrition-sensitive when it addresses the underlying causes of malnutrition. The program focuses on supplyside and demand-side issues surrounding nutrition. On the supply side, TOMAK aims to improve supply and year-round access to nutritious foods – particularly for women and children. This includes building NSA knowledge and skills at institutional as well as community level, and developing gender-equitable decision-making in households. On the demand side, TOMAK is influencing awareness of and demand for nutritious food at the household level through social behaviour change (SBC) communication, to maximise consumption of nutritious foods. To create this change, TOMAK works with and through partners, including NGOs and government. The approach has allowed TOMAK to build on and expand the work of the nongovernment organisations Mercy Corps, Catholic Relief Services and World Vision and their local partners, as well as providing opportunities to trial new approaches to NSA and SBC in Timor-Leste. TOMAK works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Health, taking a multi-sectoral approach to augment the Government of Timor-Leste’s existing nutrition work and develop increased NSA capacity for delivery in municipalities.