EU-funded project enhances nutritional status of many households in BD, Nepal

A European Union (EU)-supported agriculture and nutrition project has helped in enhancing the nutritional status of 10,000 households (HH) directly through nutrition education and application of newer technologies in Bangladesh, alongside its replication in Nepal.     
In the country, the project activities reached out to over a total of 40,000 farming households, an EU release said Tuesday.  
A closing workshop on the 'Agriculture and Nutrition Extension Project (ANEP)' was organised at a city hotel Tuesday. EU Ambassador in Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon addressed the meet, explaining his spot experience from the project's command areas.
The EU provided 3.6 million euros (Abut Tk 400 million) for the three-year project, which was led by International Development Enterprises (iDE) to contribute to one of the EU's key cooperation priorities in Bangladesh: to improve food security and nutrition.
It's a "success story", the envoy said about the ANEP, which is closing now.
 "I could witness during a field visit to Barisal that the project has a direct impact on the betterment of the local communities. I salute the commitment and professionalism of all those who have contributed to this achievement," he said.
To implement the project in Bangladesh, iDE, the lead agency, joined hands with seven other partners - CIMMYT, WorldFish, IRRI, Save the Children, CEAPRED, BES Nepal and CODEC.  
The project was implemented in a consortium approach, with staff members seconded from implementing organisations into a project-management structure designed to maximise efficiency in delivery.
It was stated that the project activities had successfully reached over 40,000 farmer households in Bangladesh with new and emerging agricultural technologies, and increased the nutritional status of 10,000 households directly through nutrition education.  
The project had a regional dimension as similar activities were also implemented in Nepal. And both Bangladesh and Nepal benefited from exchange visits, sharing of experience and successful technologies.
The workshop discussed key findings and lessons learned from the ANEP Bangladesh final evaluation.
The event was hosted by senior members of the iDE and ANEP leadership team, including Deepak Khadka, Country Director of iDE Bangladesh, Richard Rose, Project Coordinator of ANEP Bangladesh, and Dr. Luke Colavito, ANEP project leader at iDE Nepal.
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