IFPRI Discussion Paper 02018 May 2021 Food Systems for Healthier Diets in Nigeria A Research Agenda Busie Maziya-Dixon, Thom Achterbosch, Delana Adelekan, Olutayo Adeyemi, Victor Ajieroh, Dare Akerele, Adebayo Akinola, Emmanuel Alamu, Siemen van Berkum, Kendra Byrd, Aafke Nijhuis, Makuachukwu Ojide, Adeyinka Onabolu, Johnson Onyibe, Ireen Raaijmakers, Folake Samuel, Harriette Snoek, Adekunle M. Yusuf, and Inge D. Brouwer CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH) INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), a CGIAR Research Center established in 1975, provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI’s strategic research aims to foster a climate-resilient and sustainable food supply; promote healthy diets and nutrition for all; build inclusive and efficient markets, trade systems, and food industries; transform agricultural and rural economies; and strengthen institutions and governance. Gender is integrated in all the Institute’s work. Partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening, and data and knowledge management are essential components to translate IFPRI’s research from action to impact. The Institute’s regional and country programs play a critical role in responding to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development. IFPRI collaborates with partners around the world. AUTHORS Busie Maziya-Dixon ([email protected]) is a Senior Food and Nutrition Scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria. She leads A4NH Country Coordination and Engagement Team in Nigeria. Thom Achterbosch ([email protected]) is a Senior Researcher in development economics at Wageningen University & Research in The Hague, The Netherlands. Delana Adelekan ([email protected]) is a Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Olutayo Adeyemi ([email protected]) is an Independent Consultant, formerly of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Abuja, Nigeria. Dr. Victor Ajieroh ([email protected]) is a Senior Program Officer for Nutrition at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria. Dare Akerele ([email protected]) is a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Adebayo Akinola ([email protected]) is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Emmanuel Alamu ([email protected]) is an Associate Scientist at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Southern Africa Research and Administration Hub (SARAH) Campus PO Box 310142, Chelstone, Lusaka 10101, Zambia. Siemen van Berkum ([email protected]) is a Senior Researcher in agricultural economics at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Kendra Byrd ([email protected]) is a Nutrition Scientist at WorldFish in Malaysia. Aafke Nijhuis is a former research assistant at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Makuachukwu Ojide ([email protected]) is a Lecturer in the Department of Economics & Development Studies at Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Abakaliki, Nigeria. Adeyinka Onabolu ([email protected]) is a Senior Advisor on Food Security and Nutrition to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja, Nigeria. Johnson Onyibe ([email protected]) is a Professor of Agronomy and Director of Research and Planning at the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. Ireen Raaijmakers ([email protected]) is a Senior Researcher in consumer behavior at Wageningen University & Research in The Hague, the Netherlands. Folake Samuel ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria. Harriette Snoek ([email protected]) is a Senior Researcher in consumer behavior at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Adekunle M. Yusuf ([email protected]) is a Research Associate at IITA in Ibadan, Nigeria. Inge D. Brouwer ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor in the Division of Human Nutrition and Health at Wageningen University & Research in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Notices 1 IFPRI Discussion Papers contain preliminary material and research results and are circulated in order to stimulate discussion and critical comment. They have not been subject to a formal external review via IFPRI’s Publications Review Committee. Any opinions stated herein are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily representative of or endorsed by IFPRI. 2 The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the map(s) herein do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) or its partners and contributors. 3 Copyright remains with the authors. The authors are free to proceed, without further IFPRI permission, to publish this paper, or any revised version of it, in outlets such as journals, books, and other publications. Contents ABSTRACT iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v ACRONYMS vi I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. DIET QUALITY AS AN ENTRY POINT 6 III. CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND PURCHASING POWER 11 3.1. Introduction 11 3.2. Motivation 11 3.2.1. Cultural norm, beliefs and taboos 11 3.2.2. Product characteristics affecting food choices 12 3.2.3. Aspiration 13 3.3 Ability 13 3.3.1. Knowledge 14 3.3.2. Skills 14 3.4. Opportunity 15 3.4.1. Income/ purchasing power 15 3.4.2. Gender issues 16 3.4.3. Globalization and foreign influences 16 IV. FOOD ENVIRONMENT 18 4.1. Overview 18 4.2. Access to Markets 18 4.3. Promotion 20 4.4. Food Safety Regulations 21 4.5. Economic Access 22 V. FOOD SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA 24 5.1. Agricultural Production Subsystem 24 5.2. Storage, transport and trade subsystem 29 5.3. Food transformation subsystem 32 5.4. Food retail and provision subsystem 38 VI. DRIVERS OF FOOD SYSTEM CHANGE IN NIGERIA 41 6.1. Introduction 41 6.2. Indirect drivers of Nigeria’s food systems 41 6.2.1. Biophysical and environmental drivers 41 6.2.2. Demographic drivers 42 6.2.3. Economic drivers 46 6.2.4. Innovation and technology drivers 48 6.2.5. Increased infrastructure 50 6.2.6. Sociocultural drivers 51 6.2.7. Political drivers 53 VII. SYNERGIES AND TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN DIETS AND OTHER OUTCOMES OF FOOD SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA 60 VIII. SYNTHESIS AND THE WAY FORWARD: AN AGENDA FOR POLICY RESEARCH 63 Annex 1. Overview of Research Questions 75 References 78 Tables Table 1. Gaps in Demand and Supply of Major Food Products in Nigeria (2016 Estimate) ...................... 32 Table 2. Description of the Categories of Processed Foods ........................................................................ 34 Figures Figure 1. Framework of the High-Level Panel of Experts on Food Systems and Nutrition ......................... 5 Figure 2. Ecologies and Crops Produced in Nigeria .................................................................................. 25 Figure 3. Agro-ecologies and animal protein sources in Nigeria ............................................................... 26 Figure 4. Percentage of population in urban and rural areas of Nigeria ..................................................... 43 Figure 5. Urban population by size class of urban settlement in Nigeria ................................................... 44 ABSTRACT Malnutrition, mostly resulting from poor food, health, and care practices, is related to physiological, socioeconomic, and psychological factors and remains one of the leading causes of mortality in children under five years of age in low- and middle-income countries. Nigeria, as with many parts of the world, is experiencing a multiple malnutrition burden, where undernutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, exists alongside overweight, obesity, and associated diet-related non-communicable diseases. Recent data show that 37 percent of children under five years of age are stunted while 68 percent suffer some degree of anaemia. Overweight and obesity are also common among adults with prevalence rate of about 33 percent. The Nigerian government embraces sustainable food system approaches in its policy and programmes to address malnutrition problems in the country. Food systems approaches take a holistic understanding of all activities and processes involved in food production, processing, storage, transportation, trade, transformation, retail, and consumption. In this paper, we identify and discuss the types of research that can support the operationalization of food systems approaches to improving the quality of diets in Nigeria. Specifically, we structured a consultative workshop with key stakeholders, reviewed the literature, and applied food systems framework to the Nigerian context. The process enabled us to identify 39 research questions crucial to: understanding how changes in food systems can lead to healthier diets; identifying and testing entry points for improving availability and effective demand for healthier food; and creating at scale a supportive policy and market environment for achieving heathier and sustainable diets in Nigeria. Keywords: food systems, diet quality, consumer behavior, food environment,