Production, food access and resilience
Agriculture and nutrition are connected through production, household income, food access and the way food is stored and used. THESO's approach considers these relationships together, supporting locally appropriate farming systems and practical pathways from agricultural investment to more dependable food security.
Programme design begins with the farming calendar, local production systems, household priorities and the constraints that shape decisions. Access to land, water, labour, tools, suitable inputs and advice influences what a household can produce. Storage, transport and market conditions determine whether that production contributes to income and food availability across the year.
We work from a defined production and food-security objective, with responsibilities agreed among farmer groups, technical services and implementation partners. Support may combine extension, inputs, water management, post-harvest practices and market connections, according to the context. Nutrition objectives require a clear explanation of how the intervention improves access to diverse foods and links with relevant services.
The work in practice
Select crop, livestock or mixed-system activities against local conditions, seasonal risks and household capacity. Confirm the suitability and quality of inputs before distribution. Link practical extension to field observation, and make arrangements for follow-up so that technical problems can be identified during the production cycle.
Integrate soil management, erosion control and efficient water use into production planning. Examine the feasibility and maintenance requirements of irrigation or water-harvesting options where relevant. Use locally useful seasonal information and contingency planning to help groups prepare for weather variability and interruptions to access or supply.
Address drying, handling, storage and transport alongside production. Explore aggregation and buyer relationships where volumes, quality and commercial terms make them practical. Farmer organisations need transparent records, clear responsibilities and information about costs and prices to assess whether a market arrangement improves their returns.
Examine who controls productive assets, household income and decisions about food. Design participation arrangements that account for women's workloads, disability and the needs of households with limited labour. Connect nutrition-sensitive production with appropriate information and referral services, while avoiding unsupported claims about health outcomes from agricultural inputs alone.
Evidence & learning
These questions guide programme design and review. They are areas to measure, not claims of achieved results.
Partner in this focus area
Partnerships can connect agriculture authorities, farmer organisations, extension providers, responsible buyers and funders around a defined production system. We seek arrangements that make input quality, technical support, household participation and market conditions visible. Delivery through local partners or directly by THESO should follow the funding agreement and the practical requirements of the season.
Discuss agriculture & nutritionConnected priorities