A presentation given by Maureen Cheserek at the Transform Nutrition regional meeting 'Using evidence to inspire action in East Africa' Nairobi, Kenya 8 June 2017.

1. Agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity
for improved nutritional status of
mother infant dyads in Rongai sub-
county, Nakuru, Kenya
Maureen Cheserek

2. Introduction
Maternal and child malnutrition remains a public health
concern in many developing countries
In Kenya, 9% of women aged 15-49 years are
undernourished while 26% of the children aged 6-23
months are stunted, (KNBS and ICF Macro 2014).
The leading cause of malnutrition is suggested to be lack
of diverse diet and nutritional quality which can be
mitigated by encouraging agricultural biodiversity
Agro-biodiversity presents a practical entry point for
interventions that could improve dietary diversity and
enhance farmers’ livelihoods.

3. Main objective:
To determine the relationship between agro-biodiversity and nutrition,
identify entry points and barriers, and suitable interventions for
diversifying farm level production and diets in Rongai sub-county.
Study Area, design and sampling
Rongai sub-county of Nakuru County in Kenya
A cross-sectional survey
Two divisions were purposively selected: low agricultural potential
(Kampi ya moto) and high (Menengai west)
Random sampling of sub-locations: Morop, Kapsetek, Kampi ya
moto, Makutano; Mangu, Olrongai, Mimwaita, Kamungei, Ogilgei
Tools
Agro-biodiversity structured household questionnaire; Household food
insecurity access scale; KAP questionnaire; FDGs; 24 Hour Dietary
recall; Anthropometry, participatory workshops
Data Analysis

4. Key findings and discussion
Characteristics of the study population
 Most households are headed by males (81.9%)
 Mothers/care givers aged between 15 and 78 years with a mean
age of 29.09 ± 9.17 years.
 Mean age of the children, 15.58±5.63 months
 Overall, each family has about 5 members (5.31 ± 2.461), and an
average of about three children (2.80 ± 1.97).
 Most mothers/caregivers have primary education (42.5%) and
married (76.6%)
 Most households (61.8%) are in poorest category. Only 3.2% are
categorised as rich.
 47.9% were identified as food secure while the majority (52.1%)
fell into varying categories of food insecurity

5. Table 1: Agricultural biodiversity in the two agro-
ecological zones of Rongai sub-county

6. Agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity for women

7. Minimum meal frequency and dietary diversity for
children

8. Factors associated with better dietary diversity
Women
 Male headed households
 Women with higher
education
 Women age (older)
 Smaller families
 Larger cultivated farms
 There was no association
(P>0.05) between total
household agro-
biodiversity and dietary
diversity.
Children
• Minimum meal frequency
 Mothers/caregiver's with low
education level
 Fruit intake
 Minimum dietary diversity
 Children from high agricultural
potential areas
 Consumed animal source food
 Mothers have better infant and
young child feeding practices

9. Table 2-Nutritional status of women and
children in Rongai sub-county

10. Conclusions and recommendations
 There was no relationship between agrobiodiversity and
dietary diversity
 There are positive indications on better diet diversity for
children than mothers/caregivers
 Entry points identified include the need for extension
services, nutrition education and behaviour change
communication, and economic empowerment projects to
improve economic access to better diet diversity.
 Cultural practices that may limit diet diversity should be
addressed.
 These evidence can be leveraged to monitor progress over
time and inform interventions to accelerate progress.

11. Acknowledgements
 Financial support: International Food Policy Research
Institute (“IFPRI”)
 Transform Nutrition Consortium
 Egerton University
 Bioversity International - Kenya
 Ministry of Agriculture-Nakuru county
 Ministry of Health-Nakuru county
 Rongai sub-county administration, village elders,
community health workers and residents

12. Thank You