Presentation by Ana IslasRamos, FAO ESN

1. A Nutrition-sensitive
approach for quinoa
development
Dr. Ana Islas Ramos, Nutrition Officer and Ruobin Wu, MS, Intern

2. Table of Contents
• Quinoa’s nutrient profile
• Nutrition-sensitive Approach
- From quinoa production to
healthy diets, nutrition and
sustainability

3. Quinoa’s nutrient profile
Good source of bioavailable protein,
polyunsaturated fats, vitamins and
minerals.
• Protein
– Quantity depends on the variety, (11%-
19%)
– Bioavailable
• Fat
– More fat than other grains
– linoleic (omega-6) and linolenic
(omega-3) acid.
Source: FAO. 2013. Nutritional value- International Year of Quinoa
URL: http://www.fao.org/quinoa-2013/what-is-quinoa/nutritional-
• Carbohydrate and Fiber
– Low glycemic index
– 10% both soluble and insoluble
• Vitamins and Minerals
– Carotenoids, B vitamins, C and E
– Calcium, copper, iron, magnesium,
phosphorus, potassium and zinc

4. Other bioactive compounds
• Saponins
– Possible antifungal, antiviral, anticancer,
hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic,
antithrombotic, diuretic, and
anti‐inflammatory effects
• Phytosterols
– Possible anti‐inflammatory,
antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic
effects
• Phytoecdysteroids, phenolycs, betalains,
and others
Source: Graf et al 2015 https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12135

5. Source: 1) FAO. 2017. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems in
practice. Options for intervention. URL: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7848e.pdf
2) FAO. 2020. FAO Nutrition Marker Guidance Note
2013-14 (298 children in 4 Andean communities in
Ecuador)
• 48.6% of stunted
• 43.3% overweight
• 67.8% lived in a household with food insecurity

6. What is the Nutrition-sensitive approach?
• Nutrition-sensitive agriculture
– Maximize agriculture’s contribution
to nutrition
– Food-based (variety, nutritional value,
social-rural livelihoods)
– Poverty, gender equity, nutrition
education
– Multisectoral
Source: 1) FAO. 2017. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems in
practice. Options for intervention. URL: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7848e.pdf
2) FAO. 2020. FAO Nutrition Marker Guidance Note

7. What is the Nutrition-sensitive approach?
Source: 1) FAO. 2017. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and food systems in
practice. Options for intervention. URL: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7848e.pdf
2) FAO. 2020. FAO Nutrition Marker Guidance Note
• Criteria
 Improving diets and nutrition is a
significant and/or a principal objective
 Dietary and nutrition challenges are
clearly identified
 A theory of change is formulated
(impact, indicators)
 Human and/or financial resources are
allocated
 Do no harm

8. Steps of Nutrition-sensitive Approach
Nutrition situation analysis
Prevalence of malnutrition?
Dietary patterns and needs?
Availability and accessibility?
Health and sanitation?
Policy context? …
Source: 1) FAO. Design and monitor Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture and Food Systems
Programmes (Unpublished).
2) FAO. 2018. How to conduct a Nutrition Situation Analysis. URL:
https://elearning.fao.org/course/view.php?id=393
Partnership, resources, and expertise
Steps of Nutrition-sensitive programme

9. Output OutcomeIntermediate outcome Impact
Supply of nutritious
quinoa product
Increased
Increased
income
and assets
Income used
to enable
practice
healthy diets
Consumption of quinoa
products and other nutritious
foods promoted
Healthy behaviours and
practices promoted
Own-
consumption
of quinoa
products
Increased
Conducive policy environment
for quinoa production and
consumption enabled
Wider community
increased demand for
quinoa and other
nutritious foods
Sociocultural
norms support
healthy diets
Robust quinoa
value chain
Developed
Output: Tested and
demonstrated promising
Quinoa varieties
Output: Determined
mechanisms of adaptation and
nutritional characteristics
Output: Integrated crop and
pest management practices
Output: Supported small seed
enterprises
Output: Increased awareness
and demand
Output: Enhanced capacity of
stakeholders for value chain
development
Output: Developed policy
frameworks
Stability and efficiency of
production enhanced
Acceptability and nutrient value
of quinoa increased
Seeds systems strengthened
Adaptability to abiotic stresses
enhanced
Market and businesses
opportunities identified
Value-added quinoa products
promoted
Post-harvest practice improved
Product
quality
Improved
Crop
production and
productivity
Increased
Greater retailer
purchases of
quinoa products
Income IPConsumption own IP Nutrition Knowledge IPFood environment IP
Availability and affordability of
quinoa products Increased
Contribute
Healthy
diets
Women Empowerment Impact Pathway
Quinoa Development
Impact Pathways
Improved
Nutrition

10. Output OutcomeIntermediate outcome Impact
Supply of nutritious
quinoa product
Increased
Increased
income
and assets
Income used
to enable
practice
healthy diets
Consumption of quinoa
products and other nutritious
foods promoted
Healthy behaviours and
practices promoted
Own-
consumption
of quinoa
products
Increased
Conducive policy environment
for quinoa production and
consumption enabled
Wider community
increased demand for
quinoa and other
nutritious foods
Sociocultural
norms support
healthy diets
Robust quinoa
value chain
Developed
Output: Tested and
demonstrated promising
Quinoa varieties
Output: Determined
mechanisms of adaptation and
nutritional characteristics
Output: Integrated crop and
pest management practices
Output: Supported small seed
enterprises
Output: Increased awareness
and demand
Output: Enhanced capacity of
stakeholders for value chain
development
Output: Developed policy
frameworks
Stability and efficiency of
production enhanced
Acceptability and nutrient value
of quinoa increased
Seeds systems strengthened
Adaptability to abiotic stresses
enhanced
Market and businesses
opportunities identified
Value-added quinoa products
promoted
Post-harvest practice improved
Product
quality
Improved
Crop
production and
productivity
Increased
Greater retailer
purchases of
quinoa products
Income IPConsumption own IP Nutrition Knowledge IPFood environment IP
Availability and affordability of
quinoa products Increased
Contribute
Healthy
diets
Women Empowerment Impact Pathway
Quinoa Development
Impact Pathways
Improved
Nutrition
Improved
production
and
marketing
Improved
• Acceptability
• Nutrient value
• Stability of production
• Value chains
• Demand
• Women empowerment
• Etc…
Improved
•Income
•Assets
•Diets
•Nutrition

11. Women Empowerment Impact Pathway
Nutrition-sensitive approach for quinoa development
Improved
Nutrition
Promote
healthy diets
1) Consumption of own
production improved
2) Income used to enable
practice of healthy diets
Nutrition situation
and challenges?
Dietary patterns and
needs?
Food environment?
How quinoa
contribute to local
diet?
Is quinoa the best solution?
Is quinoa acceptable?
Understand the value of
quinoa?
Post-harvest processing and
storage
Food preparation and
cooking practice
Knowledge and
practice?
Income increased?
Robust quinoa
value chain
developed
Quinoa
production and
product quality
improved
Availability, affordability
and accessibility of
nutritious foods
Cognitive, skills,
aspirational factors?
Abilities, desires,
preferences and knowledge
Source: 1) FAO. 2015. Designing Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Investments Checklist and guidance
for programme formulation. URL: ttp://www.fao.org/3/a-i5107e.pdf
2) Fanzo J, Haddad L, McLaren R, et al. The Food Systems Dashboard is a new tool to inform better
food policy. Nat Food. 2020.

12. Women Empowerment Impact Pathway
Nutrition-sensitive approach for quinoa development
Improved
Nutrition
Promote
healthy diets
1) Own-consumption of
quinoa products increased
2) Income used to enable
practice of healthy diets
increased
Nutrition situation
and challenges?
Dietary patterns and
needs?
Food environment?
How quinoa
contribute to local
diet?
Is quinoa acceptable?
Understand the value of
quinoa?
Post-harvest processing and
storage
Food preparation and
cooking practice
Knowledge and
practice?
Income increased?
Robust quinoa
value chain
Developed
Quinoa
production and
product quality
Improved
Availability, affordability
and accessibility of
nutritious foods
Cognitive and
aspirational factors?
Information, desires,
preferences and knowledge
Source: 1) FAO. 2015. Designing Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Investments Checklist and guidance
for programme formulation. URL: ttp://www.fao.org/3/a-i5107e.pdf
2) Fanzo J, Haddad L, McLaren R, et al. The Food Systems Dashboard is a new tool to inform better
food policy. Nat Food. 2020.
Do No HarmWhat is the best available
solution?

13. Project formulation - Nutrition-sensitive Approach
Co-development of
solutions
Value chain
development
Monitor and
evaluation
Participatory nutrition
situation analysis
Nutrition Education and
Behaviour Change
Communication strategy
Implementation
Sustainable food
value chain (SFVC)
approach

14. Improved quinoa production practices
Improve seed supply system
Market facilitation
Conduct of value chain analysis
Improve policy frameworks
Quinoa development initiative – an example
Nutrition
analysis
Additional
selection
criteria:
Nutrition
improvement
potential

15. Improved quinoa production practices
Improve seed supply system
Market facilitation
Conduct of value chain analysis
Improve policy frameworks
Quinoa development initiative – an example
Nutrition
analysis
Additional
selection
criteria:
Nutrition
improvement
potential
Nutrition
value, food
safety and
food loss;
Demand from
market/ from
target group
Addressing constraints
in supply, demand and
nutrition value

16. Improved quinoa production practices
Improve seed supply system
Market facilitation
Conduct of value chain analysis
Improve policy frameworks
Linking NSVC to SFVC
Nutrition
analysis
Additional
selection
criteria:
Nutrition
improvement
potential
Nutrition
value, food
safety and
food loss;
Demand from
market/ from
target group
Addressing constraints
in supply, demand and
nutrition value
CapacityDevelopmentforNutrition

17. Activities -- Nutrition-sensitive Approach
Learn about the
consumers
Adapt to local practices and
preferences
Nutrition situation analysis
Hands-on Food and
Nutrition Education Address consumer needs
Communication activities

18. In summary
• Quinoa is a whole grain with an interesting nutrition
profile
• However, its potential to improve nutrition depends
on many factors:
– Is it the best solution in the context where it is proposed?
• Does it address the nutrition issues?
• Alternative solutions (could be simpler)
– Not only acceptance by consumers, but access ($ and
physical), competition of other products/practices,
addressing real needs, etc
– Do no harm