Examining links between agricultural development, nutrition

In this post in the Center for Global Development's (CGD) "Global Health Policy" blog, Amanda Glassman, the director of global health policy and a research fellow at the center, examines the connection between smallholder farming, agricultural productivity and nutrition. She writes, "For some time now, the food security movement has been stating that improving the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers improves nutritional status." Glassman cites a statement delivered by G8 Foreign Ministers Meeting Chairs after a meeting in Washington, D.C., last week, which states, "Donor and partner government investments in agricultural development have proven to be one of the most effective means to promote broad-based economic growth, especially when they are nutrition-sensitive and target smallholder farmers and women." She writes, "Are investments in agricultural development directed to small farmers 'proven' to improve nutritional status? I don't think so" (4/18).