The Integrated Approach Programme IAP-FS seeks to tackle major drivers of environmental degradation by advancing aholistic approach to enhancing agricultural productivity in smallholder systems, where foodsecurity is directly tied to agriculture and – in the long term – to the health of the ecosystem ofwhich the farm is a part. A holistic approach will also help ensure that gender and nutrition aremainstreamed throughout the Program as important pieces to address the food security challenge.
The IAP-FS is fully in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Due to itsintegrated nature, the IAP will make a significant contribution towards achieving a number ofSDGs in Africa, and in particular: SDG1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere; SDG2: Endhunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture;SDG15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainablymanage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversityloss. IAP, through its approach of using multi-stakeholder platforms to strengthen policy and institutional frameworks and to scale up good practices in integrated management ofecosystems, will also contribute to SDG17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
The platform is dedicated to establish a 'Science and Policy Interface' (SPI) to support applied scientific knowledge dissemination to inform policy dialogue via evidence-based advocacy for mainstreaming gendered ecosystem and climate resilience approaches into food security related policies and practices. It will also strengthen and connect with other African relevant platforms and initiatives that support innovation for sustainability and resilience of agricultural ecosystems at country and regional levels and make available to decision makers the latest scientific and technical knowledge and tools through a scientific knowledge support interface. The Science-Policy Interface (SPI) will also provide vehicles for up-scaling and replication and for reaching new countries that are not yet participating in the IAP through its interface with regional multi-stakeholder platforms.
