Evidence for Impact: Lessons from the PASHFARM Project to Strengthen Food and Nutrition Policy in Africa
Date
2025
Authors
Cheserek, Maureen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AERC
Abstract
Malnutrition and unhealthy diets remain the major public health challenges across Africa, driven by limited access to affordable, safe, and nutritious foods. As Nutrition Research Fellow for the African Economic Research Consortium’s PASHFARM project, I observed how locally generated evidence can inform policy and drive transformation towards equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems. Conducted across 20 African countries, PASHFARM produced 35 research papers and 25 policy briefs to guide policymakers in advancing nutrition-sensitive food systems. Working with 20 multidisciplinary teams and 95 researchers, the initiative highlighted the value of collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning. Knowledge exchange and policy forums fostered cross-disciplinary dialogue, strengthened technical rigor, and supported capacity building. Key policy priorities include strengthening markets and supply chains, incentivizing healthier food production, ensuring nutritious food accessibility, affordability, and safety, promoting genderinclusive food systems, and enhancing evidence-based policymaking. PASHFARM demonstrated that sustainable, equitable food systems are achievable through research-driven collaboration, and sustaining momentum requires continued investment in locally led research, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder engagement.