Leveraging RAS for Improved Nutrition in Indonesia

Original Article: https://www.sdc-foodsystems.ch/en/ras-for-improved-nutrition

Rural Advisory Services (RAS) are key to tackling malnutrition in rural areas. GFRAS networks are involved in a Community of Practice (CoP) identifying case studies, promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture, leveraging digital tools and multi-stakeholder engagement. Learn about a case from Indonesia about RAS can transform nutrition outcomes in the region and beyond.

AFS Newsletter – Article by

Ingrid Oliveira Silva Keller
Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services
ingrid.oliveira@g-fras.org l LinkedIn

Rural Advisory Services (RAS) have long been recognized as a powerful tool for improving agricultural practices and livelihoods in rural communities. However, their potential to address nutrition and health challenges has gained increasing attention in recent years. With the rise of the “nutrition-sensitive agriculture” approach, RAS is now seen as a promising channel for improving nutrition and health outcomes in rural households. We look at a case from Indonesia, where malnutrition remains a significant challenge, with the country facing a triple burden of undernutrition, over nutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.

The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) has been long active exploring how RAS can be leveraged to improve nutrition. Through its Nutrition and Health in Advisory Services Working Group (NWG), GFRAS provides a central forum for RAS actors to create, share, and promote good practices on integrating nutrition into advisory services. This case study highlights the collaborative efforts between two GFRAS networks, namely RELASER in Latin America and RAS-SEA in Southeast Asia, and their work in Indonesia.

The Case of Indonesia: Addressing the Triple Burden of Malnutrition

Indonesia’s agricultural extension system has historically played a crucial role in the country’s development. Despite evolving and improving the quality of life of its citizens, the country continues to face significant nutrition challenges. The triple burden of malnutrition has become a pressing issue, particularly in rural areas where access to nutritious food and nutrition education is limited.

To address these challenges, Indonesia has implemented several policies and programs aimed at strengthening agricultural extension services and integrating nutrition into these services. For example, Presidential Regulation Number 35/2022 emphasizes the importance of agricultural extension in improving food security, productivity, and the application of technology in farming. Additionally, the country has established a Community of Practice (CoP) on Extension and Advisory Services for Nutrition Security, which brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including agricultural extensionists, researchers, academics, civil society representatives, and youth.

The CoP serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, with the goal of developing sustainable solutions to nutrition challenges. It focuses on sharing best practices, developing capacity, and advocating for the integration of nutrition into extension services. The CoP also emphasizes the importance of using new media and digital technologies to disseminate nutrition information and engage multiple stakeholders in the process.

Country Fora Contribution to the Community of Practice

The involvement of Country Fora, which are national RAS platforms that include multi-actor participation working in advisory services, has been instrumental in the success of the CoP. In Indonesia, the Country Fora, represented by the Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS), played a key role in launching the CoP. The CoP was officially inaugurated on June 29, 2024, through an offline meeting held at IPB University Campus. This event marked the beginning of a collaborative effort to integrate nutrition into extension and advisory services effectively.

Since its launch, the CoP has been actively managed, with monthly meetings held since July 2024. These meetings have provided a platform for stakeholders to share experiences, discuss challenges, and develop innovative solutions for improving nutrition outcomes. The 9th CoP Meeting, scheduled for March 21, 2025, will focus on the strategic role of Female Farmer’s Groups in achieving food and nutrition security. An extension worker from the Agency of Agriculture in Karawang District, West Java Province, will share field experiences on this topic, highlighting the critical role women play in nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

Learning Events and Collaboration Between GFRAS Networks

The collaboration between RELASER and RAS-SEA has been instrumental in advancing the integration of nutrition into RAS in Indonesia. Both networks have facilitated learning events and knowledge-sharing activities that have helped to build the capacity of extension workers and other stakeholders.

One such event was a series of webinars on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) organized by RAS-SEA from August 2023 to October 2024. These webinars provided extension workers with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver nutrition-sensitive advisory services. Topics covered included the development of extension materials on NSA, the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in extension services, and the importance of considering local food resources and market demand in nutrition interventions.

In addition to the webinars, a kick-off meeting for the CoP on Nutrition-Sensitive Extension and Advisory Services (NSEAS) was held in June 2024. This meeting brought together representatives from various organizations, including the Indonesia Forum for Rural Advisory Services (IFRAS), the Indonesia Association for Development Extension (PAPPI), and the Indonesia Agency of Research and Innovation (BRIN). The meeting highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing nutrition challenges and identified key areas for action, such as promoting bio-fortified crops and addressing the rise of chronic renal diseases in young children.

Key Findings and Recommendations

The work of the CoP and the collaboration between RELASER and RAS-SEA have yielded several important insights and recommendations for integrating nutrition into RAS. These recommendations are based on the experiences and lessons learned from the CoP and other learning events.

Investment in Nutrition Should Be a Priority
Addressing the triple burden of malnutrition requires a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses the entire life cycle, from preconception to old age. Strategic initiatives should focus on improving nutrition during critical periods, such as pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, to prevent long-term health issues.
Improve Community Nutrition through Enhanced Food Production and Distribution
Community nutrition can be improved by increasing the quality and availability of nutritious food, enhancing distribution channels, and promoting the fortification and supplementation of micronutrients. Extension services should also focus on fostering behavioural changes and improving food security at the individual, family, and community levels.
Adopt a Comprehensive Approach to Integrating Nutrition into RAS
To effectively integrate nutrition into RAS, the following strategies should be implemented:
- Leverage New Media and Digital Technologies: Mobile applications, e-learning platforms, and social media can be used to disseminate nutrition information and educate people about healthy eating habits.
- Engage Multiple Stakeholders: Collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs, and the private sector is essential for the success of nutrition programs.
- Implement Participatory and Inclusive Approaches: Programs should involve the community, particularly mothers and vulnerable groups, in nutrition counseling and education activities.
- Develop Capacity and Empower Communities: Training local health cadres and community leaders to disseminate nutrition information can help to build local capacity and empower communities to address nutrition challenges.
- Establish a Robust Monitoring and Evaluation System: A well-developed data-based monitoring and evaluation system is essential for tracking the progress of nutrition programs and adjusting strategies as needed.
Promote Networking and Knowledge Sharing
The CoP has demonstrated the value of networking and knowledge sharing in addressing nutrition challenges. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, the CoP has been able to generate innovative solutions and advocate for policy changes that promote nutrition security.

Conclusion

The collaboration between RELASER and RAS-SEA, along with the establishment of the CoP on Extension and Advisory Services for Nutrition Security in Indonesia, highlights the potential of RAS to address nutrition challenges in rural communities. By leveraging the far-reaching networks of RAS and adopting a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach, it is possible to improve nutrition outcomes and contribute to the overall well-being of rural populations.

The recommendations outlined in this case study provide a roadmap for integrating nutrition into RAS effectively. However, sustained investment and commitment from governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders will be essential for achieving long-term impact. As the work of the CoP and the collaboration between GFRAS networks continue, there is hope that these efforts will inspire similar initiatives in other regions and contribute to the global fight against malnutrition

Original Article Source: https://www.sdc-foodsystems.ch/en/ras-for-improved-nutrition