Stakeholders launch diet research in metropolis

ADDIS ABABA- Ethiopia’s food system stakeholders gathered yesterday in Addis Ababa to initiate strategies for improving dietary health, affordability, and sustainability across the city.

The EcoFoodSystems workshop, led by the University of Galway with Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Rikolto, and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, launched a research effort funded by the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The workshop focused on nutritionally vulnerable populations, using a stakeholder-driven process to pinpoint critical research areas and decision-making tools. With global urban populations expected to reach 70% by 2050, Addis Ababa’s role as a major urban center highlights its influence on dietary trends and agricultural production. The city’s food network connects rural producers, traders, processors, retailers, and urban consumers in an integrated supply chain.

The initiative targets under nutrition and over nutrition, twin challenges impacting Addis Ababa’s marginalized groups. Under nutrition impairs child development, while over nutrition contributes to rising rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These issues burden public health systems and economic resources, prompting demands for evidence-based interventions to enhance diet quality, affordability, and resilience to climate disruptions.

Attendees included Masresha Tessema, (MD), of the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Hiwot Darsane of the Federal Ministry of Health, Roberto Schiliro of the EU Delegation to Ethiopia, and Viviane Filippi of IFAD, signaling broad institutional support.

Prof. Charles Spillane, EcoFoodSystems Project Leader at the University of Galway’s Ryan Institute, described the research as a response to pressing needs. “This aligns with partner priorities to address malnutrition and sustainability,” he said. Masresha stated, “Cross-sector collaboration is essential for equitable dietary access.”

The EcoFoodSystems project takes a comprehensive approach, analyzing Addis Ababa’s full food system, from domestic production to imports. By equipping stakeholders with data-driven insights, the effort seeks to advance progress in a region vital to Ethiopia’s food security and public health framework.

BY STAFF REPORTER

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025

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