farmingfirst.org/nutrition

Food security is about not only the quantity of food which we consume; it is also about the quality and diversity of that food as well.

Malnutrition, often called the “hidden hunger”, can lead on to life-threatening illnesses. Either caused by a lack of protein (protein-energy malnutrition) or micronutrients such as iodine, vitamin A and iron (micronutrient deficiency), malnutrition weakens immune systems, exacerbates the effect of childhood diseases such as measles, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea, and can permanently impair long-term physical and cognitive development

Agriculture can play an important role in addressing nutrition security, through the use of biofortified foods, micronutrient-enriched fertilizers and improved agronomic practices. These can help improve health, boost livelihoods, and address the impacts of climate change, especially in rural areas in developing countries.