SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Integrating hygiene along the (AVC) in Africa (IHAVC)

This project aims to generate much-needed evidence on, and to define objectives towards, integrating hygiene along high risk ‘nodes’ in AVCs in Africa – including cooperatives, local markets and food transport hubs

Project background

Integrating hygiene along the agricultural value chain (AVC) in Africa (IHAVC)

Agricultural value chains (AVCs) can be defined as the locations, people and activities that bring an agricultural product to the consumer, via processing, packaging, and distribution

Nodes of an AVC, such as markets and transport hubs, are a focal point for emerging diseases and their spread. This is due to their intensive interactions and exchanges between regions, communities, employees and the public – often under poor and unregulated hygiene conditions with low infrastructure endowments. Investing in safe and functional water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure which supports environmental hygiene and personal hygiene behaviours in AVC nodes is urgently needed. By installing a minimum package of environmental hygiene services, we might lower such settings as specific hotspots for pathogen transmission and exposure.

Addressing the gaps in evidence, guidance and regulations

There is a lack of international guidelines and no established guidance within domestic AVCs in LMICs to integrate hygiene along AVCs. Actions are therefore taken on an ad hoc basis in response to outbreaks; this means a failure to develop proactive, preventive measures that will ensure healthy and hygienic AVCs which remain functional and economically viable during outbreaks.

To support SNV’s aim to improve environmental hygiene across AVCs, our research activities include:

  • A review on WASH-related interventions in AVC nodes to control infectious diseases
  • Supporting pilot projects to improve environmental hygiene in markets and in food packaging and distribution centres across Burundi
  • Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework and support with implementation
  • Designing a strategic framework to help guide programme development and investment in high-risk AVC nodes

Working with stakeholders

SNV and Bristol are working closely with a range of partners in Africa, particularly in Burundi, with local milk cooperatives, local governments and communities. A consultation with various key stakeholders from the WHO, UNICEF, APHRC, the FAO, IFPRI and WaterAid aims to gather views on the types of approaches currently being developed on the technical quality of the strategic framework. It will also discuss whether international norms should be developed – and, if so, what would be the best process. Further information about SNV WASH

Publication

Strategic framework for integrating hygiene along ag value chain publication French (pdf)

Strategic framework for integrating hygiene along ag value chain publication English (pdf)