Abstract

This interdisciplinary project builds upon the phase I participatory appraisal, which provided directions for action research to improve nutritional status in poor communities of three distinct agroecological zones of Ouidah district. The elements of the project span the agricultural, nutrition, health, marketing, and social sectors, the overall objective being to improve and sustain household food security. Specifically, the Centre régional pour le développement et la santé (CREDESA) will use and evaluate community processes for selecting interventions in these sectors, particularly in farming and post-harvest systems; stimulate community participation in the adoption of interventions; determine the effects of interventions on household economies, health, nutrition, and equity; and reinforce the capabilities of the CREDESA team in conducting action research. The project will benefit from the results of the fertilizer management and evaluation network (88-0300), the alley farming network for tropical Africa (AFNETA: 88-0025), and the farming systems research network (89-0202). The project is an important focal point for the Centre's nutrition-related support in the West African region and will generate knowledge on approaches to community-based studies relevant to development research in general.

Recipient Institution(s)