Practice 04 / Economic & development research

Food Security and Nutrition

How do food access, affordability, diet quality and seasonal shocks affect the population? IDER frames the study around a defined policy or programme decision, combining relevant administrative evidence with proportionate primary research. The scope establishes the population, comparison, reference period and intended users before analysis begins.

The decision challenge

How do food access, affordability, diet quality and seasonal shocks affect the population? A useful study distinguishes observed conditions from their possible causes and identifies the evidence needed to choose a practical response.

Questions we help you answer

  • Which groups face the greatest access and affordability constraints?
  • How do prices, seasonality and livelihoods shape food consumption?
  • Which programme design or delivery changes should be tested?

What the research covers

Household food-access and expenditure analysisDietary diversity and nutrition-sensitive programme researchFood-price and market-access assessmentSeasonal vulnerability and coping strategies

How we build the evidence

  • Review administrative records, policy documents and existing evidence with clear source and period checks.
  • Design household, business or institutional surveys and qualitative consultations around the study question.
  • Apply disaggregated descriptive, economic or econometric analysis where the data and identification strategy support it.
  • Triangulate findings, test assumptions and document uncertainty and limits to causal interpretation.

Decision-ready deliverables

01

Technical report with source documentation, findings and limitations.

02

Executive brief comparing decision options and implementation implications.

03

Documented indicators and analytical tables appropriate to the scope.

04

Stakeholder presentation and an agreed dissemination or learning plan.

What this enables you to decide

Use the evidence to compare programme or policy options, identify priority groups and implementation constraints, and define measurable next steps. Recommendations distinguish what the data establish from what requires further investigation.

Quality and interpretation

We document seasonal coverage, sampling and indicator definitions, triangulate field findings with market evidence and review contextual limitations. Consent, accessible instruments and careful interpretation support credible analysis without overstating climate projections, nutrition findings or programme effects.

Delivery, dissemination and use

Ghana is the operational base. Other country delivery is assessed against the required scope, expert capacity and local arrangements. Findings can be shared through technical reports, executive briefs, stakeholder workshops and programme learning sessions, with participant confidentiality and agreed publication permissions.

Related research services

Evidence into action

Discuss a food security and nutrition assignment.

Discuss the questions, methods, expertise, timeframe and deliverables your decision needs.