C. AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS AND SOFT FOOD

The agriculture sector is crucial to achieving food and nutrition security as the main provider of food and water, which is the primary source of nutrition.
Agriculture is the main income earner for the country and contributes to national and household food security and nutrition. In order to achieve food security there must be a diverse food supply of all six-food groups (staples, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, foods from animals and fats) in adequate proportions to meet people’s dietary needs.
Attainment of food and nutrition security is indispensable to human capital development, which ultimately affects national growth and development.
There is now global understanding and appreciation of how agriculture and nutrition link to each other. Through food systems, agriculture provides access to diverse and nutritious food, which is foundational to nutrition. On the other hand, well-nourished people are more productive in the agriculture sector.
National Agriculture Policy has eight priority areas including Food and Nutrition Security, which promotes agriculture-based approaches for improving nutrition. One of the strategies for achieving this is production and consumption of diversified foods from all the six food groups to address the imbalance between agricultural production and nutritional outcomes.