DILIMAN, Quezon City– The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund, known as UNICEF, will work on a comprehensive work plan for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) to address early childhood malnutrition.This collaboration aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024–2028.
The plan outlines two major project components that the DA will oversee to enhance the nutritional well-being of the nation’s young children.
UNICEF recently approved the DA's Agricultural Training Institute’s (DA-ATI) work plan for 2025-2026, highlighting the need of the NSA in its agricultural extension interventions to combat malnutrition in children ages 0–5. Regions with high rates of stunting and wasting have been chosen as pilot sites. These areas will operate as test sites for the development of NSA systems and capabilities, enabling evaluation of the effects of NSA in nearby communities.
Collaboration with key agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and the National Nutrition Council is crucial for the project's success. This unified approach aims to create a comprehensive solution to early childhood malnutrition through the harmonization of activities and resources for maximum impact.
The Institute will assist in the two main components of the work plan. The first part of the Work Plan is centered on policy formulation, particularly in developing training materials and guidelines for nutrition-sensitive programming, such as diet diversification.
Likewise, the DA-ATI will focus on capacity building of agricultural extension workers through specialized training programs, turning learning sites into diversified farms and food hubs. These programs will emphasize diet diversification, equipping trainers with the knowledge and expertise to support local communities. Additionally, the project will upgrade agriculture gardens into nutritionally diversified micro-techno farms and barangay nutritious food centers. The DA-ATI will also facilitate the roll-out of extension courses and seminars on diet diversification, embedding nutrition-sensitive practices within the agricultural industry and supporting improved diets.
This collaboration highlights ATI's role as the capacity builder, knowledge bank, and catalyst of the Philippine agri-fishery sector. Partnering with UNICEF, ATI aims to promote sustainable agriculture and enhance food security, supporting the vision of Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.
With UNICEF approving the initial budgetary requirement, the path is clear for the project’s implementation. Through this partnership between DA and UNICEF, much progress in early childhood nutrition in the Philippines will be made. By targeting nutrition-sensitive agriculture and reinforcing systems and policies, this partnership is looking to bring long-term, positive change to the health and well-being of young children across the country.
