Home grown school feeding in low-income countries : harvesting benefits for smallholder farmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the potential and realized benefits of home-grown school feeding in LICs, focusing on the extent to which these programs contribute to strengthening smallholder farmers' income, food security and nutrition. Overall, we conclude that HGSF is worth supporting for several reasons. First, because of the positive impact of school feeding on nutrition and education in LMICs. Second, because of the documented need of improving market access for small-scale farmers. That being said, there is not enough research nor impact studies on the results on smallholder incomes and FNS and the wider economy to know if and how the potential benefits of HGSF can be realized on a large scale. The research that has been done shows that to achieve the goals of improved income and FNS for smallholder farmers, it is necessary, but not sufficient, to have smallholder-friendly procurement regulations. In addition, it is necessary that smallholder farmers receive support to increase productivity and production levels of nutritious crops in demand from HGSF programs as well as training in procurement such as how to win tenders—including price bargaining and organization of farmers. If demand side (procurement) policies and supply side (agricultural production) policies are unsynchronized, benefits will fall short of the goals and aspirations for smallholder incomes and FNS. Greater benefits to smallholder households’ FNS can be realized if interventions have a special focus on assisting women regarding increase productivity and access the market that HGSF represent, as they spend more of income earned on food for the family than men do.