Strengthening Systems for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture in Ethiopia: Endline Findings from Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Capacity Strengthening in Ethiopia Project (2025)

Ethiopia continues to face a heavy burden of malnutrition, despite decades of investment in nutrition and food security. In response to this widespread problem, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) proactively engaged in developing and implementing targeted strategies to improve access to and utilization of safe, diverse, and nutritious foods across the board. Within this context, the Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Capacity Strengthening (NSA-CASE) project was launched in 2019, with support from the Gates Foundation and implemented by Save the Children in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Regional Bureaus of Agriculture in Amhara, Oromia, and Somali regions.

The five-year project sought to embed nutrition sensitivity within Ethiopia’s agricultural systems by strengthening institutional capacity, coordination, and human resources while improving data systems for evidence-based planning and implementation. Its key focus areas included (1) increased prioritization and financing for NSA, (2) improved data availability and use, (3) strengthened coordination mechanisms, and (4) sustained human resource capacity.

The endline evaluation highlights that the NSA-CASE project effectively strengthened the institutional systems and capacities necessary to embed nutrition-sensitive agriculture within Ethiopia’s agricultural planning and implementation frameworks. However, sustaining and expanding these gains will require stronger domestic financing, continued capacity development, and integration of NSA within broader national food system, climate, and development agendas.