Our Expertise and Services: Food and Nutrition

Balancing regional and local food systems

Ensuring food and nutrition security in our partner countries requires collaboration between different sectors and amongst the numerous different actors in the food system. Whether at the local or regional level, this requires a sound understanding of the overall system, strategic planning and targeted interventions. Helvetas works to promote well-functioning food systems that also meet the nutritional needs of the poorest and most marginalized people. In an increasingly unstable world, we support resilient and sustainable solutions.  

What we do

Helvetas works in partnership with government bodies, the private sector and civil society actors to strengthen food systems in a constructive, equitable manner. Through our partners we support sustainable and nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices, appropriate technical and financial services, access to markets, and advocate for policies that increase the availability, accessibility and affordability of nutritious and healthy diets. Where and when humanitarian crises arise in our partner countries, we also intervene to ensure adequate food and nutrition for those affected.

What we offer

• A systemic approach to food and nutrition through targeted interventions from farm to fork. We analyze drivers in the food system and determine actions that will improve food and nutrition security and have a positive environmental and socio-economic impact. We especially aim to improve the dietary quality for vulnerable groups, notably women and children, the urban poor, and remote mountain communities.
• Holistic approaches that consider the needs of consumers and service providers and contribute to a positive policy environment (Push-Pull-Policy). This includes skills training for improved incomes, governance in rural and urban areas, resilience to climate change, and awareness raising and education.
• Support for agricultural advisory services that are sustainable, profitable and resource-efficient, while at the same time being sensitive to dietary quality
• Nutrition-sensitive and productive agro-ecosystems that are climate-resilient and contribute to biodiversity conservation
• Inclusive, gender-responsive or gender-transformative innovations in agriculture that are attractive for young people and build skills within local support organizations and service providers. This includes context-specific mechanization and modernization (agriculture 4.0), optimized land use, appropriate knowhow and inputs for fully sustainable production.
• Postharvest management and continued engagement in initiatives that reduce losses and waste in food systems – thus enhancing food availability, food quality and safety, and reducing the ecological footprint.
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships, including with the private sector, for responsible investments in food systems and ethical sourcing (e.g., label for eco-friendly production and/or fair trade)