Abstract

The montane rainforest of southwestern Ethiopia, coffee’s centre of origin, is dominated by multifunctional and multi-species agroforestry systems that broadly benefit farmer livelihoods. Although economic and environmental advantages are widely praised, the contributions of these systems to food and nutrition are mostly unaccounted. Hence, we evaluated the current and potential roles of agroforestry systems in strengthening the food and nutrition security of smallholder households by: (i) determining the agroforestry systems and identifying nutritionally valuable species occurring there, (ii) evaluating the householders’ nutritional status, and (iii) matching nutritional demands with the nutrients offered by the agroforestry systems. Mixed methods were applied including characterization of the households’ agroforestry plots, dietary and biometry assessment, and biochemical analyses. FAO suggested in-situ policies to improve food and nutrition security include facilitating access to foods and nutrients, making available food rich in important micronutrients, improving sanitation and health conditions, and increasing consumer purchasing power. This study directly targets (i) and (ii) by identifying underutilized potentially edible species, evaluating their nutritional content, and estimating agreement with local demands, and marginally (iii) and (iv) by eventual subsequent improved living conditions and potential additional income.