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Background: Integrated school and home garden interventions can improve health outcomes in low-income countries, but rigorous evidence remains scarce, particularly for school-aged children and to reduce anemia. Objective: We test if an integrated school and home garden intervention, implemented at pilot stage, improves hemoglobin levels among school children (aged 9-13 years) in a rural district in the mid-hills of Nepal. Methods: We use a cluster randomized controlled trial with 15 schools each in the control and treatment groups (n = 680 school children). To test if nutritional improvements translate into a reduction of anemia prevalence, hemoglobin data were collected 6 months after intervention support had ended. Using structural equation modeling, we estimate the direct and indirect effects of the treatment through several pathways, including nutritional knowledge, good food and hygiene practices, and dietary diversity. Results: The integrated school and home garden intervention did not lead to a direct significant reduction in anemia. Causal positive changes of the treatment on nutritional outcomes, although significant, are not strong enough to impact hemoglobin levels. The program improved hemoglobin levels indirectly for children below 12 by increasing the use of good food and hygiene practices at home. These practices are associated with higher hemoglobin levels, particularly for girls, young children, and in households where caregivers are literate. Conclusions: Even integrated school and home garden interventions are not sufficient to reduce anemia among school children. Incorporating behavioral change components around food and hygiene practices into integrated garden interventions is important to unlocking their health impacts. Plain language title: Effect of a Joint School and Home Garden Programme on Child Health Among School-Aged Children in Nepal Plain language summary: The effects of agricultural and nutritional support programs on health are not fully understood. This article looks at school and home gardens, which are gaining attention in the research and development community, but evidence for their effects is limited, particularly for lower-income countries. We examine whether a joint school and home garden program improves blood iron levels among school children (aged 9-13 years) in rural Nepal. Low levels are an indicator for anemia—a common nutritional disorder in South Asia. Our data come from an experiment involving 30 schools and 680 children and was measured via a finger prick method 6 months after program support ended. We also evaluate if the program influenced blood iron levels through the nutritional knowledge of children and their caregivers; through the use of good food and hygiene practices at home and the children's dietary diversity. Our results indicate that the program did not lead to a direct reduction in anemia. However, for children under the age of 12, the program indirectly improved blood iron levels through behavioral changes in the use of good food and hygiene practices (e.g., washing hands before eating). We therefore argue that including education on nutrition and good food and hygiene practices as part of integrated garden support programs is key to improving children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In homestead food production (HFP) programs, village model farmers (VMFs), after training, implement agriculture and nutrition activities to improve household knowledge and practices. Little evidence exists on what enables VMFs to remain actively engaged and for impacts to be sustained.Objective: To examine variables explaining active engagement of VMFs, at least 4 years post-training, in an HFP program in Nepal.Methods: We used cross-sectional data, collected from 2018 to 2019, among 4750 VMFs of Suaahara, a multisectoral nutrition program. We assessed whether respondents registered their HFP group with the local government, conducted regular group meetings, discussed vegetable growing and chicken rearing practices with group members, or engaged in saving and credit activities in their HFP group. Outcome variable was a count of these 4 activities in which the VMF engaged. Socioeconomic, demographic, and programmatic explanatory variables were identified a priori and by bivariate analysis and were adjusted in ordinal regression models accounting for clusters.Results: On average, VMFs engaged in 1.4 activities. Having attended primary or secondary school (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 1.39), being a female community health volunteer (AOR = 1.27), being from an advantaged caste/ethnic group (AOR = 1.34), receiving additional trainings (AOR = 1.56) and inputs (AOR = 1.31) were associated with more active engagement of VMFs.Conclusion: Village model farmers receiving more training and inputs were more likely to remain actively engaged. Female community health workers, people from higher caste/ethnic groups, and those with primary or secondary education were more likely to remain active VMFs and could be targeted for this role in HFP programs leading to sustained impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vegetables are an essential element in healthy diets, but intakes are low around the world and there is a lack of systematic knowledge on how to improve diets through food system approaches. Methods: This scoping review assessed how studies of food systems for healthy diets have addressed the role of vegetables in low- and middle-income countries. We apply the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews to narratively map the literature to an accepted food systems framework and identify research gaps. Results: We found 1383 relevant articles, with increasing numbers over 20 years. Only 6% of articles looked at low-income countries, and 93% looked at single-country contexts. Over half of articles assessed vegetables as a food group, without looking at diversity within the food group. 15% looked at traditional vegetables. Issues of physical access to food were among the least studied food system topics in our review (7% of articles). Only 15% of articles used a comprehensive food system lens across multiple dimensions. There is also a research gap on the impacts of different policy and practice interventions (13% of articles) to enable greater vegetable consumption. Conclusions: Food system studies necessarily drew on multiple disciplines, methods and metrics to describe, analyze, and diagnose parts of the system. More work is needed across disciplines, across contexts, and across the food system, including understanding interventions and trade-offs, and impacts and change for diets particularly of marginalized population groups. Filling these gaps in knowledge is necessary in order to work toward healthy vegetable-rich diets for everyone everywhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing vegetable consumption is being promoted as a critical step towards more nutritious and sustainable diets. Despite the recognition that context shapes food consumption practices, there have been limited systematic analyses of the role of social institutions in enabling or hindering consumption of vegetables. In particular, we focus on cultural, cognitive, socioeconomic, and contextual influences that shape local understandings, attitudes, and practices surrounding health and wellbeing. We seek to address this knowledge gap by exploring whether and how academic research has engaged this issue, with a particular focus on Africa. The analysis finds that a range of social institutions play a role in shaping vegetable consumption. Most publications focus on cultural norms and personal perceptions and beliefs, the latter also reflecting one's cultural conditioning and social positioning. Contextual factors such as education and economic status have been reported as having either positive or negative effects on vegetable consumption, depending on context. In terms of types of vegetables affected, traditional vegetables are featured more frequently rather than exotic (externally introduced) ones. The results of this analysis may contribute to informing agricultural and food security policies and programs aimed at promoting vegetable consumption in Africa. • Vegetable demand in Africa depends on cultural norms, on personal perceptions and beliefs. • Education and environmental factors have also a positive effect on vegetable demand. • Social norms influence the demand for traditional vegetables more than exotic vegetables. • Social institutions must be articulated in programs promoting food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We quantify adoption of improved amaranth varieties and good agronomic practices for East Africa. • Data collected using expert elicitation and a questionnaire survey of seed companies. • Improved varieties adopted on 51% of planted area in Kenya and 70% in Tanzania. • World Vegetable Center germplasm is found on 46% of planted area and in 59% of seed company sales. • Center's amaranth lines reach about 231,000 farm households in Kenya and Tanzania. Abstract This study quantifies the adoption of improved amaranth varieties in Kenya and Tanzania, and the extent to which these result from international vegetable breeding research conducted by the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) and partners. The study used expert elicitation and a questionnaire survey among vegetable seed producers. Nine expert panels were conducted involving 123 local experts. The results show that improved amaranth varieties were planted on 51% of the planted area in Kenya and 70% in Tanzania. Improved varieties were planted on 17,502 ha and reached 404 thousand smallholder farmers. WorldVeg is the main source of improved varieties, reaching 231 thousand farm households in Kenya and Tanzania. Seed companies sold 2.9 tons of amaranth seed in 2016 and 59% of this was WorldVeg-based germplasm. Opportunities exist to improve amaranth production through the development and promotion of better varieties (particularly resistance to white rust and leaf spot) and good agronomic practices (particularly the use of certified seed, mineral fertilizers, seed treatment and nurseries). Investment in amaranth research and development will contribute to better livelihoods and better nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetables are increasingly recognized as essential for food and nutrition security. Vegetable production provides a promising economic opportunity for reducing rural poverty and unemployment in developing countries and is a key component of farm diversification strategies. Vegetables are mankind's most affordable source of vitamins and minerals needed for good health. Today, neither the economic nor nutritional power of vegetables is sufficiently realized. To tap the economic power of vegetables, governments will need to increase their investment in farm productivity (including improved varieties, alternatives to chemical pesticides, and the use of protected cultivation), good postharvest management, food safety, and market access. To tap the nutritional power of vegetables, consumers need to know how vegetables contribute to health, and find them at affordable prices or be able to grow them themselves. Vegetable consumption must therefore be nurtured through a combination of supply-side interventions and behavioral change communication emphasizing the importance of eating vegetables for good nutrition and health. To fully tap the economic and nutritional power of vegetables, governments and donors will need to give vegetables much greater priority than they currently receive. Now is the time to prioritize investments in vegetables, providing increased economic opportunities for smallholder farmers and providing healthy diets for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study quantifies the impact of training vegetable farmers in integrated pest management (IPM) in Bangladesh. Data come from a random sample of 300 trained and 300 non-trained farmers producing either bitter gourd ( Momordica charantia L.) or eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.). Propensity score matching and inverse probability weighting was employed to correct for selection bias in observable characteristics. A range of outcome indicators along the impact pathway was used. The study finds that trained farmers had better knowledge about insect pests and the proper use of pesticides, adopted more IPM practices, and reduced the frequency of spraying and mixing different pesticides. For eggplant, but not for bitter gourd, trained farmers reduced the quantity of pesticide use and achieved a significantly higher crop yield and gross margin. The effect on consumptive expenditures, which we used as a proxy of income, was insignificant. We conclude that further promotion of IPM adoption among farmers is needed and that it should be a priority to increase the profitability of IPM practices for gradual reduction in synthetic pesticide misuse and a sustainable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify challenges as well as entry points for governments in Southeast Asia and elsewhere to reduce the risk from agricultural pesticides by comparing levels of pesticide use, pesticide regulation, and farm-level practices in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. We identified three main challenges to pesticide risk reduction: (a) the rapid expansion of pesticide trade—in terms of total volume, number of products and number of selling points, combined with a weak regulatory and enforcement capacity; (b) a high level of satisfaction among farmers with pesticides combined with low levels of risk awareness, lack of technical know-how about integrated pest management (IPM), and general unavailability of biocontrol agents; and (c) no regular monitoring of pesticide risk, which makes it difficult for legislators, regulators, farmers and consumers to make rational decisions. The study highlights several examples countries can emulate, including the introduction of a pesticide tax in Vietnam, the pesticide registration system in Thailand, regular training of pesticide retailers in Thailand and Vietnam, and product certification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of vector-transmitted virus diseases and the damage caused to vegetable crops by these diseases are reported to be increasing in countries with tropical and subtropical conditions. Virus-resistant crops and an integrated approach to crop management including appropriate control of plant-virus insect-vectors could reduce the problem. However, in developing countries, such a strategy is rarely applied effectively. We surveyed 800 growers of chili, tomato and mungbean in India, Thailand and Vietnam to understand what farmers know about plant viruses, their perceptions about yield damage, the control methods they choose to apply and the perceived effectiveness of these. Farmers regarded their economic losses from pests and diseases to be very substantial. Only a minority of them knew that certain disease symptoms were probably being caused by a plant virus and even fewer knew about the role of insect vectors in its spread. Farmers mostly relied on synthetic pesticides to manage the virus disease symptoms they observed. If farmers had better knowledge about plant viruses, their insect vectors, and cost-effective, safer means of control, then use of synthetic pesticides could be reduced substantially. Building knowledge among farmers is therefore an important way to address the diseases caused by plant viruses, while the development of virus-resistant varieties and simple and effective methods of vector control offer longer-term solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planetary health brings together intrinsically linked issues of human health and natural systems. This paper reviews evidence of how agrobiodiversity underpins dietary diversity for current human populations in the context of fruits and vegetables, and ways to maintain and improve these for future generations. Both the conservation and sustainable use of fruit and vegetable biodiversity and the consumption of diverse diets are sub-optimal, and in many contexts getting worse. Agrobiodiversity and nutrition are linked through food availability, access, conservation and consumption, with potential win-wins but notable trade-offs for policy and action through time, place, agrobiodiversity use, and equity. We pinpoint research gaps and call for inclusive deliberation for action. • Conservation of fruit and vegetable biodiversity and consumption of diverse diets are sub-optimal. • Agrobiodiversity and nutrition are linked through food availability, access, conservation, and consumption. • There are potential win-wins and trade-offs for policy and action, building on food systems. • More research is needed, particularly in the context of fruit and vegetable biodiversity and diets in different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The rapid growth in pesticide use is a significant problem for Thailand, as it is in many other developing countries with an intensifying agriculture. The objective of this study was to quantify how much of the total quantity of pesticides is overused. The novelty of this research resides in the fact that it considered the social rather than the private optimum by including negative pesticide externalities in determining levels of overuse. Marginal benefits of pesticides are quantified by estimating Cobb–Douglas production functions with an exponential damage control specification. The marginal costs are calculated as the sum of private and external costs with the latter quantified using the Pesticide Environmental Accounting (PEA) tool. The method is applied using farm- and plot-level data from one intensive upland vegetable production system in northern Thailand. The findings show that about 80% of the applied pesticide quantity is used in excess of the social optimum, while the difference between the private and social level of overuse is small for this particular case study. Therefore results from the study area suggest that internalizing pesticide externalities into the price of pesticides would only have a small effect on reducing pesticide overuse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study addresses the questions of how to estimate the external costs of agricultural pesticide use and how to disaggregate these costs to particular chemicals and farm production systems. Using the case of Thailand—a lower-middle income country with an export-oriented agriculture and an annual growth in pesticide use of about 10%, we estimate the external costs of pesticide use for the period 1997–2010 by applying the Pesticide Environmental Accounting (PEA) tool and compare the estimates to an accounting of actual costs for two years. We also use the tool to estimate the external costs of two distinct production systems of rice and intensive horticulture. Using the PEA tool, we estimate the average external costs of pesticide use in Thailand to be USD 27.1/ha of agricultural land in 2010; yet the actual cost estimate for the same year is only USD 18.7/ha. This difference leads us to discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the PEA approach. The negative externalities of pesticide use could be reduced by giving farmers a financial incentive to use fewer pesticides, for instance by introducing an environmental tax. We argue that for such instrument to be effective, it needs to be combined with supportive measures to change on-farm practices through awareness-raising about the adverse effects of pesticides and introducing farmers to non-chemical alternatives to manage their pest problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper examines the livelihood outcomes and adaptation strategies of households who have been involuntarily resettled from the project area of the Son La Hydropower Project in Vietnam to a remote mountain location with an intense scarcity of resources. We collected household data using a double recall, referring to the situation before and after resettlement, and for both the resettled and host households. The results show that resettled households lost income mainly because of a loss in crop output. In response, they tried to intensify crop production by using more fertilizers. The distribution of their farm output and income became less equal after resettlement although land had been distributed equally to all households. The host households had a greater number of opportunities to adapt and increased the cropping frequency of rice, intensified mineral fertilizer use and intensified livestock production, and as a result, their farm output and incomes increased. The livelihood adaptation of both the host and resettled households was strongly conditioned by a lack of available livelihood assets in this remote mountain location; it is therefore questionable whether households will be able to maintain their livelihood outcomes in the long run. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study is to quantify the relationship between synthetic pesticide use and agricultural intensification in the northern highlands of Thailand. We surveyed the crop management decisions of 295 farmers across 12 villages, and assessed the level of pesticide use in terms of monetary value, the active ingredients used, and using the Environmental Impact Quotient method. The results show that 77% of the farmers relied solely on synthetic pesticides for their pest management activities. The average farmer used 13.3 kg of active ingredients per hectare of agricultural land, but the variation was large. The highest levels of pesticide use were observed with the cultivation of cut flowers and greenhouse vegetables, while greater land use intensity was associated with increased usage of synthetic pesticides and a greater potential environmental impact. We found that those farmers following public certification of Good Agricultural Practices (Q-GAP), were neither able to reduce pesticide use nor its environmental impact. The findings suggest that to limit the environmental impact caused by the use of synthetic pesticides, greater priority must be given to developing and promoting non-synthetic methods of pest control together with gradually restricting the supply of highly hazardous pesticides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Multiple recent global nutrition initiatives have recommended actions to transform food systems to improve food environments and food choice. This study aimed to identify actions recommended by these initiatives and understand their similarities and differences. Twelve global nutrition initiatives were reviewed, collectively spanning 13 action themes and accompanying strategies. Action themes were analyzed according to primary focus on either food environments and their food system drivers or food choice. Representation of the 13 actions varied across initiatives. Some actions overlapped; others were infrequently represented. Strategies targeting food environments and their food system drivers were more frequently recommended than strategies targeting food choice for 11 of the 13 action themes. Although these global initiatives share a mission to improve nutrition through food systems and food environments, less attention has been allocated to individual food choice and sustainability. • We analyzed the recommended actions of 12 global nutrition initiatives. • Global nutrition initiatives overlap in recommendations for a healthier food system. • Strategies aimed to modify food environments more than food choice for most actions. • Attention is needed to create demand for healthy diets by improving food choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: System models in agriculture and natural resource management are usually developed by researchers to advise policy makers on the likely outcomes of alternative scenarios. Except for data collection, stakeholders—like farm households—are rarely involved in the research process. Companion modeling (ComMod) has been developed as a modeling approach to include various stakeholders in a continuous feedback loop between researchers and stakeholders. Whereas other ComMod approaches have used role playing games as an interface between researchers and stakeholders—assuming that stakeholders have difficulties understanding a computer model—this paper explores the potential of a participatory modeling approach in which stakeholders are directly confronted with the model by assessing its assumptions, interpreting simulation results, and suggesting scenarios. The approach is applied to two villages in a watershed in northern Thailand. One lowland village, populated by farmers of mostly Thai ethnic origin, depends partially on an upland village inhabited by farmers of Hmong ethnic origin for its water supply. Water scarcity has led to conflicts between these two villages in the past. In three rounds of participatory simulation sessions the potential of the ComMod model was tested. Our findings confirm that researchers face particular challenges in making local stakeholders understand the model as a reproduction of reality and not as reality itself. The idea of a scenario as a hypothetical situation was also difficult to convey. An ex-post analysis among participants showed that farmers who attended several sessions had a clear understanding of the model and one-third of the participants thought it useful to exchange points of view with the other community and to define new collective rules for water sharing. Applying ComMod in a context that is characterized by social tensions and power differentials, however, needs careful consideration of the potential implications on less powerful actors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

School gardens have become a widely used approach to influence children's food knowledge, preferences and choices in low- and high-income countries alike. However, evidence indicates that such programs are more effective at influencing food knowledge and preferences than actual food choices. Such finding may occur because school gardens insufficiently influence the food behavior of parents and because healthy food items are not always available in children's homes. We tested this hypothesis using a one-year cluster randomized controlled trial in Nepal with 15 treatment and 15 control schools and a matched sample of 779 schoolchildren (aged 8–12) and their caregivers. Data were collected before and after the intervention during the 2018–2019 school year. In addition, children's food consumption was monitored using a monthly food logbook. Average treatment effects were quantified with a double-difference estimator. For caregivers, the intervention led to a 26% increase in their food and nutrition knowledge (p < 0.001), a 5% increase in their agricultural knowledge (p = 0.022), a 10% increase in their liking for vegetables (p < 0.001), and a 15% increase in home garden productivity (p = 0.073). For children, the intervention had no discernible effect on food and nutrition knowledge (p = 0.666) but led to a 6% increase in their liking for vegetables (p = 0.070), healthy food practices (p < 0.001), and vegetable consumption (October–December +15%; p = 0.084; January–March +26%; p = 0.017; April–June +26%; p = 0.088). The results therefore indicate both schools and parents matter for nudging children toward healthier food choices. • Past studies showed limited effects of school gardens on children's food choices. • We test a novel design that trains children and caregivers in gardening and nutrition. • The cluster-RCT included 30 schools and 779 children/caregivers in Nepal. • Children's rate of vegetable consumption increased 15–26%, depending on season. • School gardens need to affect household-level food availability/preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diseases cause major crop yield losses and affect food security in lower-income countries. A limited understanding by farmers about the identity of plant diseases, transmission pathways and appropriate management methods is a key, but underexposed, problem. This study uses a sample of 260 farmers producing chili pepper in Bangladesh to elucidate their knowledge, perceptions and management methods regarding chili anthracnose—a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum species. The results show that virtually all farmers had experienced typical symptoms of anthracnose disease and farmers reported average crop yield losses of 4%. Yet, only 22% of the farmers knew that this was a fungal disease and only 25% could tell how the disease spreads in the field. Farmers solely relied on chemical pesticides to control anthracnose, while the use of biopesticides, soil covers and crop rotations was negligible and only 7% of the farmers used labelled seed. A sound understanding of farmers of the crop diseases they face, their transmission pathways, and appropriate management methods is essential for establishing effective pest control. These results clearly show much room for improving chili productivity and the income and health of farmers, by building their capacity to deal with anthracnose disease. • The study is based on survey data for 260 chili pepper producers in Bangladesh. • Anthracnose was the main pest problem identified by the producers. • 22% knew it is a fungal disease and 25% knew how it spreads in the field. • Pesticides were the main control method; the use of other methods was rare. • Farmer training in disease management could make a large and positive impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]