The findings of rapid nutrition assessment study both at macro and meso/micro level confirm the food and nutrition insecurity in the country as a whole and particularly the rural areas. The assessments disclose the facts that there is no single reason or sector, which could be held solely responsible for the food insecurity and malnourishment. If somewhere, there is less food then elsewhere the poor purchasing power restricting access to. Above all, the worse scenario is of utilization of the food, which is somewhere poor due to lack of facilities like safe drinking water but overwhelmingly due to extremely poor feeding and hygiene practices because of unawareness. The project is focussing on gaps identified in both macro and micro level assessment and addresses these gaps in a coherent manner where co-relating needs in various sector areas are considered in details. The proposed project is focussing on all the underlying factors of food and nutrition insecurity with approach of four dimensions of food and nutrition security predominantly linked with available natural resources.

The project is targeting people in the rural areas and particularly the families experiencing with food insecurity and under nourishment. The figures available through macro level analysis and confirmed through micro level assessments show that there is felt need to focus on food and nutrition in rural areas. 

Project Purpose: The Food and Nutrition Security status of most vulnerable communities in Swat, Shangla and Kohistan is improved through an Integrated approach linking Agriculture, Food and Environment to Nutrition in line with National and Provincial Strategies.

Output 1: “Food availability is increased” Improved technical knowledge, equipment and inputs are provided and used by most vulnerable farmers to increase and diversify agricultural production.

Output 2: “Access to food is improved” Improved technical knowledge, equipment and inputs are provided and used by most vulnerable villagers to increase and diversify Household income.

Output 3: “Use and Utilisation of food is improved” Target Group and stakeholders knowledge on Causes and Impact of Malnutrition is enhanced through trainings/media campaigns and used to improve food consumption habits/caring capacities and hygiene practices

Output 4: “Stability of the 3 FNS dimension is improved” Knowledge and management skills of village organisations are enhanced and suitable techniques are used to reduce impacts of Natural disasters/climate change through trainings provision and linkage with Government line department.

Output 5: “Support rural development for improved FNS” Small Scale village Infrastructures are built and used by villagers to either:

• Increase Food availability, or
• Increase Access to food, or
• Improve use and utilisation of food