ABSTRACT In Asia, high levels of malnutrition threaten the health and livelihoods of millions of households. This paper concentrates on linkages between agriculture and nutrition in Afghanistan where food and nutrition insecurity are increasing and agricultural sustainability is increasingly compromised by climate change. We explore seasonal patterns of food production and consumption in the remote and robust ecological environment of Shah Foladi, Bamyan Province. Analysis of qualitative data from household interviews in eight villages has provided a wealth of insights into the seasonality of diets. Even within a broadly homogeneous environment, households were found to be markedly heterogeneous in respect of their assets, production, market, finance and employment strategies. The so-called ‘lean season’ was found to vary accordingly. Nevertheless, a general lack of dietary diversity during much of the year is likely to cause micronutrient malnutrition, especially for the vulnerable groups of children, adolescent girls and women. Potential interventions are proposed which need to account for the local context in order to overcome the natural and political constraints. These strategies include agricultural innovation and multi-sectoral policy approaches. In the end, reducing national insecurity is a pre-requisite for sustainable improvement in nutrition-sensitive agricultural development.

中文翻译：

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阿富汗巴米扬省的粮食生产和消费：膳食多样性的可持续性和季节性挑战

摘要 在亚洲，严重的营养不良威胁着数百万家庭的健康和生计。本文重点关注阿富汗的农业与营养之间的联系，那里的粮食和营养不安全问题日益严重，气候变化对农业可持续性的影响越来越大。我们探索了巴米扬省 Shah Foladi 偏远而强大的生态环境中粮食生产和消费的季节性模式。对来自八个村庄的家庭访谈的定性数据的分析提供了对饮食季节性的丰富见解。即使在大致同质的环境中，家庭在资产、生产、市场、金融和就业战略方面也存在明显异质性。发现所谓的“淡季”会相应地变化。尽管如此，一年中的大部分时间普遍缺乏饮食多样性可能会导致微量营养素营养不良，特别是对儿童、少女和妇女等弱势群体而言。建议的潜在干预措施需要考虑当地情况，以克服自然和政治限制。这些战略包括农业创新和多部门政策方法。最后，减少国家不安全是可持续改善营养敏感型农业发展的先决条件。建议的潜在干预措施需要考虑当地情况，以克服自然和政治限制。这些战略包括农业创新和多部门政策方法。最后，减少国家不安全是可持续改善营养敏感型农业发展的先决条件。建议的潜在干预措施需要考虑当地情况，以克服自然和政治限制。这些战略包括农业创新和多部门政策方法。最后，减少国家不安全是可持续改善营养敏感型农业发展的先决条件。