Background: Inadequate food and water resources negatively affect child health and the efficiency of nutrition interventions. Methods: We used data from the SHINE trial to investigate the associations of food insecurity (FI) and water insecurity (WI) on mothers’ implementation and maintenance of minimum infant dietary diversity (MIDD). We conducted factor analysis to identify and score dimensions of FI (poor access, household shocks, low availability & quality), and WI (poor access, poor quality and low reliability). MIDD implementation (n = 636) was adequate if infants aged 12 months (M12) ate ≥ four food groups. MIDD maintenance (n = 624) was categorized into four mutually exclusive groups: A (unmet MIDD at both M12 and M18), B (unmet MIDD at M12 only), C (unmet MIDD at M18 only), and D (met MIDD at both M12 and M18). We used multivariable-adjusted binary logistic and multinomial regressions to determine likelihood of MIDD implementation, and of belonging to MIDD maintenance groups A-C (poor maintenance groups), compared to group D, respectively. Results: Low food availability & quality were negatively associated with implementation (OR = 0.81; 0.69, 0.97), and maintenance (ORB = 1.29; 1.07, 1.56). Poor water quality was positively associated with implementation (OR = 1.25; 1.08, 1.44), but inconsistently associated with maintenance, with higher odds of infants being in group C (OR = 1.39; 1.08, 1.79), and lower odds of being in group B (OR = 0.80; 0.66, 0.96). Conclusion: Food security should be prioritized for adequate implementation and maintenance of infant diets during complementary feeding. The inconsistent findings with water quality indicate the need for further research on WI and infant feeding.

On May 12 in Abuja, Nigeria, two CGIAR initiatives – Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM) and National Policies and Strategies (NPS) – brought together policymakers, researchers, and representatives from the private sector and civil society to discuss how to advance food systems resilience amid crises while empowering women and youth, in the context of Nigeria. The workshop featured presentations from six other CGIAR research initiatives working in Nigeria and fostered lively discussions. Participants delved into cutting-edge research outcomes, identifying evidence gaps and potential collaborative avenues. | Non-PR | IFPRI5; 1 Fostering Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Supply; 3 Building Inclusive and Efficient Markets, Trade Systems, and Food Industry; 4 Transforming Agricultural and Rural Economies; 5 Strengthening Institutions and Governance; G Cross-cutting gender theme; Capacity Strengthening | Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI); Development Strategies and Governance (DSG); Markets, Trade, and Institutions (MTI); Food and Nutrition Policy; Transformation Strategies

On May 12 in Abuja, Nigeria, two CGIAR initiatives – Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM) and National Policies and Strategies (NPS) – brought together policymakers, researchers, and representatives from the private sector and civil society to discuss how to advance food systems resilience amid crises while empowering women and youth, in the context of Nigeria. The workshop featured presentations from six other CGIAR research initiatives working in Nigeria and fostered lively discussions. Participants delved into cutting-edge research outcomes, identifying evidence gaps and potential collaborative avenues.

Agri-food systems face multiple challenges. They must deal with prevailing structural weaknesses, partly deepened by the disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, civil conflicts, and climate change. Addressing structural weaknesses – such as inequitable access to healthy and nutritious food for all, loss of livelihoods and incomes, and increasing environmental shocks – requires not only technological, but also institutional innovations, as well as economic and policy responses. While development interventions often focus on technological innovations, they lack attention to the enabling policy environment and the political economy drivers necessary to achieve policy, economic, and social impact at the national level. In addition, solutions often fail to analyze the broader enabling environment in which policies are designed and implemented at the national level. A comprehensive understanding of the policy environment coupled with appropriate technological and institutional solutions can influence the success or failure of development interventions. However, political economy and policy analysis considerations are inadequately explored in the quest to transform food systems. Identifying the right policies and overcoming barriers to the implementation of development interventions fundamentally requires an understanding of the political economy and policy processes that shape policymaking. Despite numerous emerging approaches and frameworks for conducting political economy and policy analysis, practitioners and researchers working across food, land, and water systems lack a consolidated knowledge base. This Political Economy and Policy Analysis (PEPA) sourcebook aims to fill that knowledge gap. | PR | IFPRI2; 1 Fostering Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Food Supply | Development Strategies and Governance (DSG); Transformation Strategies