Policy report

This policy brief identifies the most effective and efficient ways to invest in improving food security. A key message is that context matters. Successful interventions stressed the importance of prior analysis or a baseline assessment. Improved food security is often the result of multiple, well-designed interventions. »

This policy brief explores gender dynamics in emerging markets for agricultural machinery service provision in Bangladesh. Women benefit form managing and sometimes owning machinery services, as well as from the direct and indirect consequences of hiring such services to harvest their crops. However, a number of technical, economic and cultural barriers constrain women’s full participation in these benefits. »

This policy brief discusses policy actions needed to empower smallholder farmers to leverage information and communications technology (ICT) innovations for greater productivity and efficiency. The data revolution is helping us make better decisions in all areas of our lives, and farmers are no exception. However, the smallholder farmer is being left behind as more data applications are developed for commercial farming. »

This policy brief shows how small grants work, why they are effective, and how governments, international institutions and donors could use them to ensure that funding comes to the right place. Small grants funds, which are set up locally, can form the link between large donors and grassroots organisations. »

This policy brief provides an overview of why agricultural biodiversity and dietary diversity are important and what can be done to foster them. Maintaining agricultural biodiversity is vital for food security and nutrition, and to cope with the challenge of climate change. »

This policy brief explores the deepening crisis of urban malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries. Urban malnutrition will not ‘solve itself’ as average incomes increase. Without decisive action, the nutrition crisis in urban areas will deepen over the next decade in response to multiple pressures. »