Nutrition and health outcomes: targets for agricultural research
Nutrition and health outcomes sit at the centre of contemporary agricultural research, linking what is grown and how it is produced to the nutritional status of children, adults and communities. Persistent undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and stunting remain widespread in many low- and middle-income countries, while overweight and diet-related diseases are rising elsewhere. The Science Forum brings researchers, practitioners and policymakers together to consider how agricultural systems can be shaped to improve nutrition without compromising food security or the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
A central question for the forum is how evidence from nutrition and agriculture research can be translated into policy and practice. Global recognition of the problem has grown, and attention has turned to realigning strategies, investment and interventions around better nutritional outcomes. Yet important gaps remain, including the need to clarify where contributions are greatest, to build stronger research partnerships across institutions and regions, and to ensure that programs reach the households most exposed to insecure food access.
The programme is organised around shared targets, with contributions from a wide range of scientists and institutions. Sessions address the biological and social dimensions of malnutrition alongside the practical realities of production, processing, distribution and consumption. Because chronic undernutrition and overnutrition both persist, the discussion moves beyond a single framing of the problem toward the full range of conditions that shape diets and health, and toward approaches that are feasible for the countries where needs are greatest.
Partnership and collaboration feature prominently in the forum's design, reflecting the scale of the challenge and the range of disciplines required to address it. External and independent perspectives are welcomed alongside institutional contributions, encouraging researchers to test assumptions and to consider how agricultural interventions affect outcomes beyond the farm gate. Career development, participation and open discussion are treated as integral to the event, helping to strengthen the capacity of the broader research community over time.
The Science Forum 2013 was held in Bonn, Germany, with a full programme of sessions, posters and resources supporting delegates throughout the meeting. Alongside the scientific agenda, practical matters such as participation, logistics and registration are organised so that attendees can concentrate on the substance of the discussions. The website's news-magazine format is used throughout to publish updates, photo features and resource material, keeping the wider research community and interested public informed as the forum progresses.
